Call to knit poppies for minster's new display

Stoke Minster is calling for people to help create a knitted poppy drape to display as part of exhibitions and memorial events

Church leaders have been taken aback by the enthusiasm for a project which will see locals knitting hundreds of poppies for a new drape.

Stoke Minster, in Stoke-on-Trent, posted a callout on social media for people to contribute to the initiative, which will help decorate the building during a new exhibition opening in October.

Last year the minster hosted The Longest Yarn exhibition – commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

A sequel event, The Longest Yarn 2, is due to open at the minster on 4 October.

Simon Drakeford, community and arts manager for Stoke Minster, said last year's exhibition included poppy drapes, which had been borrowed for the event.

He felt it would be nice for the minster to have its own poppy drapes, created by the local community, which people could take pride in contributing to.

"It's been brilliant," he said. "With Stoke Minster having this role within the life of the city, it's good that people can feel they are part of what's going on."

The Longest Yarn exhibition, comprising 80 woollen scenes depicting an individual moment from the D-Day invasion, was on display at the minster last year

People are being asked to knit individual poppies during September and early October, which will be sewn together to form the drape.

"Whether you're part of a knitting group or you do it at home, it's making those connections to like-minded people and also being part of something that is really special."

The minster has patterns people can use, or they are also welcome to use their own patterns to make the poppies.

There will also be sessions at the minster on Thursdays during September between midday and 14:00 BST where people can make poppies.

The initial response to the project had taken him by surprise, Mr Drakeford added.

"It's captured people's imaginations," he said. "It's lovely to be part of something really unique and special."