HOURS of committed knitting has resulted in the creation of 1,000 poppies which will be displayed on and around the Tavistock War Memorial during carnival week from July 11 to 18 writes Lindsay Turpin.

The popular poppy display at the Tower of London last year was the inspiration behind the creation of the knitted poppies for Tavistock as part of the Tavistock Edge Festival.

Red wool was collected from a wool amnesty in January and February and the team of more than 25 immediately got to work.

The Royal British Legion Tavistock branch has worked with and supported Tavistock Edge group in this exercise.

Malcolm Christie, chairman of the branch, said: 'We consider this to be a worthy tribute to those brave souls whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

'The show of poppies, which was inspired by last year's display at the Tower of London, is to bring home that remembering their sacrifice for our nation is with us always.'

Val Sharpe, one of three co-ordinators of the group, said: 'The idea of the poppies came up at a meeting in January and Sally from the Tavy Club was there and immediately supported it and offered to help.

'Two women in particular, Jude Pusiak and Lesley Dursley, have been instrumental in producing poppies, but many others have also contributed and Anne Wroath has put a lot of time in planning how the installation can be made and displayed.'

Edge's 'knitting' email list now includes more than 50 people, all contributing in various ways. Collectively the team has produced enough 8" squares to make 60 blankets (of 24 squares each), which is more than 1,400 squares.

Val added: 'The amazing thing about this being that because of the wool amnesty, we have spent only £8 on wool, they have been made out of left overs, spare balls and more, which all knitters have and donated during the amnesty.'

The blankets will be on display in and around Tavistock Pannier Market for the festival week and will go to the Tavistock Food Bank afterwards to be given out where needed later in the year.

Keep a watch out for the group's knitted car in the Tavistock Carnival procession and for at least 15 knitted items which will be displayed throughout the week in window displays, which will include a knitted pasty and chips, giant liquorice allsorts, beach scenes, house and gardens and a full afternoon tea.

'One thing that is really satisfying is how much of a community event this has become,' said Val.

'From the initial meeting, the successful amnesty, the number of home knitters — one elderly lady in St John's Court has knitted over 50 squares — and now we need to pull it all together, people are really pulling out all the stops.'

l Following carnival week, the poppies will be on sale in aid of the Royal British Legion Tavistock Poppy Appeal.