Sell out Remembrance concert in village takes place as congregation places tribute of nearly 2,000 poppies

A sold out concert takes place tonight (Wednesday) at a Shropshire village church, where the congregation has displayed nearly 2,000 poppies to mark Remembrance.

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The congregation of All Saints’ Church in Clive and helpers have knitted and crocheted hundreds of poppies that are around its entrance, alongside thirteen soldier silhouettes honouring twelve men from the village and a Canadian serviceman buried in the churchyard.

The project grew out of the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the church’s Music and Praise services, held on the first Sunday of every month. Bringing different generations together through music and worship prompted thoughts about how the community could create a lasting and meaningful act of remembrance.

Local ladies - supported by the WI group, started knitting, crocheting and creating felt poppies, with the ambition of covering the church entrance. That effort has now produced nearly 2,000 poppies, each contributing to a tribute to those who served and died.

As the display took shape, plans were further developed to create thirteen soldier silhouettes. Alongside the twelve men from Clive who fell during the First and Second World Wars, the community wanted to ensure that a Canadian soldier buried in the churchyard would also be remembered.

Local businesses, families and individuals are being invited to sponsor the silhouettes, with their company or personal name displayed at the foot of each soldier. Sponsorship will help cover the project’s costs and raise funds for repairs to the church’s leaking internal tower gutters and maintain the historical church, tower and spire. Water entering through the failing guttering is affecting the historic building, making repairs an important priority for those working to preserve it.

The commemorations include a Remembrance Concert tonight (Wednesday, November 11) at 6.30pm, featuring Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir and talented young local singer Elsie Downes.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, the High Sheriff of Shropshire and the Bishop of Shrewsbury amongst other local dignitaries and sponsors are also due to attend the event.

For churchwarden Mark Phillips, the project reflects the church’s place at the heart of village life: somewhere people of all ages can come together, remember their shared history and help protect a building that belongs to the community’s future.

He said: “All Saints’ Church would like to thank the WI and the wider community - some as far as Jersey, Scotland and South Wales, who have contributed their time, skills and support to the poppy display and Remembrance preparations.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring a soldier or supporting the church repairs can contact [email protected].