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Poppy Roundabout Honors Fallen Heroes
11 Nov
Summary
- A roundabout features 1,900 poppies for WWI sacrifices.
- White crosses represent fallen soldiers from WWII and later conflicts.
- The memorial was built using recycled materials.
An impactful war memorial, crafted by an armed forces social enterprise, now adorns a roundabout near Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester. The Reeva Programme Community Interest Company (CIC), which provides assistance dogs for veterans, spearheaded the creation of this tribute.
The memorial prominently features 1,900 poppies, symbolizing each serviceman from the Wigan area who perished in World War One. Additionally, 1,228 white crosses stand in remembrance of armed forces members from the same locale who lost their lives in World War Two and subsequent conflicts.
George Brooks, founder of The Reeva Programme CIC, established the organization after his own service in Afghanistan. The CIC focuses on training therapy dogs and hosting events to combat veteran isolation. He noted the overwhelming support from the local community during the memorial's construction.
Volunteers, including veterans, played a crucial role in building the memorial. The display incorporates recycled materials, with crosses fashioned from painted wooden pallets and poppies made from drinks bottles. Wooden silhouettes of soldiers also represent those who have died in conflicts since 1914.
