LYDGATE WILL turn into a poignant red ribbon of remembrance in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Hundreds of carefully-crafted hand knitted poppies made by proud locals will decorate cottages, gardens and hedgerows for Remembrance Week in November.
The ribbon will underpin respect, remembrance and hope for the future, which all ages can contribute to by making their own knitted, crocheted or felt poppies.
St Anne’s Church front wall will be the site of a new memorial plaque commissioned by Love Lydgate as a dedication to all lost in conflict since WW1.
And the Love Lydgate remembrance team are also launching a book, ‘The Boys From The Top of the Hill’, which tells the fascinating story of men who never returned home.
Love Lydgate first committed to the ‘community: past, present and future’ project a few years ago with a wall-hanging in the Church Hall.
This inspired research into stories of 50 fallen soldiers from Lydgate, Springhead and Grotton, including VC holder Tommy Steele from Springhead, who died in 1978.
Andrew Heathcote, a local, conducted in-depth research and another resident Ian Cafearo produced the artwork and presentation of the book.
They were backed by enthusiastic team members Lesley Sweeney, Jennifer Greenwood, Kath Hodges, Frank and Margaret Boocock and Joanna Weatherhead.
Lesley Sweeney said: “The team wanted to produce a lasting tribute to our fallen heroes.
“It makes for riveting reading, with newspaper cuttings of the era cleverly presented as a scrapbook in the inner pages of the book.
“The enlightening facts and details of each of the soldier’s paths make for emotional realisation of just what sacrifice and hardship they and their families endured for our freedom.
“It is a piece of local history for all ages to appreciate,” she added.
The books will be priced at £10 each and will be on sale from the end of September and can be purchased by contacting Lesley: 01457 873544 or Jennifer: 01457 877935.
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