Local knitters and crocheters are being invited to help create hundreds of poppies to decorate Wimborne’s Museum of East Dorset this November.
Following the success of its Forget Me Not appeal for Dementia Action Week, which saw more than nine thousand hand-knitted forget-me-not flowers adorn the museum, the Museum of East Dorset in Wimborne is looking ahead to November and asking the community to donate spare red and black wool for this year’s Poppy Appeal.
The museum hopes to encourage volunteers to knit hundreds of poppies to decorate its building in memory of those who gave their lives in the world wars. Knitting patterns will be available from the museum and supporters can also find patterns through the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal website.
Francesca Hollow, Director of the Museum of East Dorset, said: “We’d love the community to get behind us on this. If people have any spare red or black wool they can donate, we would be very grateful. Every ball of wool will help us create a meaningful display for Remembrance.”
Dave Keig, Poppy Appeal Organiser for Wimborne and surrounding villages, welcomed the initiative and said: “I very much welcome this idea from the Museum and strongly support it.
I get knitted and crocheted poppies from local ladies for Remembrance and they are very popular with our supporters when offered at our stands.
“Demand for support from the charity has never been greater – whether it be from a current service person, a veteran, or one of their dependants. Looking after those in need who serve or have served in the defence of our nation is a responsibility on all of us and I am always humbled by the generosity shown by the public whenever I collect on behalf of the charity.
“Remembrance is our primary collecting time and this initiative from the museum will further help raise public awareness for the appeal. I encourage and thank in advance anyone who can help the Museum in this community knitting task.”
Anyone able to donate wool can bring it to the Museum of East Dorset. The museum is seeking red and black wool, with donations helping volunteers and supporters create the display ahead of Remembrance in November.
There will also be a free poppy making workshop on the 19th September at the Museum of East Dorset from 1.30-4pm which is open to any keen knitters and crochet fans who would like to join in creating poppies.
