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Poppy display will attempt to set world record

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
News imageBBC Tracy Turner, wearing a black top and a red lanyard, stands in front of a wall of red poppies. She has blonde hair and glasses.BBC
Tracy Turner, from the Royal British Legion, says the project has "captured generations"

A community group is hoping to set a new Guinness World Record by displaying more than 80,000 handmade poppies from a high-altitude attraction.

The Skegness Royal British Legion (RBL) will unveil the remembrance installation on Saturday down two sides of Altitude 44 - a 21m (69ft) tall urban high-wire activity in the seaside town.

It will more than double last year's display at the clock tower, which included 37,082 poppies donated from around the world.

Tracy Turner, vice chairwoman of the Skegness branch, said: "It's very hard to articulate just how much this project has united the community and beyond."

News imageSkegness Royal British Legion A tall attraction ride with several levels which says 'Altitude 44' in orange and green text at the side. A large rectangular flurry of red poppies are draped over the side, with a blue sky in the background.Skegness Royal British Legion
A test deployment on the high-wire activity was carried out in September for the poppy display

The poppies, which are 80% knitted and crocheted, and 20% plastic bottle bottoms, will be cable tied on to nets, which will then be hoisted up on to the attraction.

The poppies have come from all over the world, including Monaco and Canada, with some people individually creating between 4,000 and 8,000.

Eight people will help to hoist the poppies into place, with installation starting at 08:00 and expected to be completed by 13:00 BST.

News imageSkegness Royal British Legion A net is being held by two men which is covered in handmade red knitted poppies. A woman can be seen standing in front of it with her hands on her back. A sign on the wall says 'RBL Skegness Branch'.Skegness Royal British Legion
People have been delivering their poppies to an empty unit at the Hildreds Shopping Centre to get the display ready

The final number of poppies will be revealed on Saturday, Ms Turner said.

"Remembrance isn't one day a year, remembrance for many is every day of the year.

"It is important we do not forget and we remember and give thanks to those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice," she added.

Poppy display events

  • Public arrival from 12:30
  • Live performance by the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Concert Band at 13:00
  • Regimental bugler and parade of standards, cadets, and pupils
  • A living timeline with a serving soldier through to a World War Two veteran
  • Skegness Academy presenting a full-sized War Horse as their contribution
  • Attendance by Mark Atkinson, director general of RBL, John Thornhill MBE, RBL Trustee and former National Parade Marshal, The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire
  • Eve Lister, 99, whose handmade poppy was shown to King Charles earlier this year
  • The clock tower will also have poppies on display from Friday evening

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