Neighbourhood Remembrance poppies

An array of 20 commemorative poppies have been laid across the borough to mark this year’s Remembrance Sunday.

The project has been brought to life by Kays TM and Uniplay who kindly donated and installed 20 thermoplastic poppies throughout road routes around Blackburn and Darwen.

Signage has also been installed at key sites including Blackburn and Darwen Town Hall’s, Corporation Park in Blackburn and Darwen’s Bold Venture Park to highlight alternative wreath laying arrangements for this year following the new national guidance.

The poppies can be seen at:

• Under M65 flyover, Darwen (2)
• Boar War memorial, The Circus, Darwen
• Outside St Peters Church, Church Terrace, Darwen
• War memorial Queen Street, Hoddlesden
• Circus Junction, Darwen
• Outside Old Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Darwen
• Guide Junction (1 x inbound 1 x outbound)
• Outside Cathedral, Darwen Street, Blackburn (2)
• Outside Corporation Park (1 x inbound and 1 x outbound)
• Outside Barlow Institute, Blackburn Road, Edgworth
• Outside Tockholes Village Hall, Blackburn
• At each of the following inbound borough boundaries:
  • Preston New Road
  • Whalley New Road
  • Belmont Road
  • Accrington Road
  • Moulden Brow
  • Preston Old Road

The scheme compliments the poignant remembrance lighting projected onto Blackburn Town Hall which is also brought to life with an audio element.

Commercial Director at Kays TM, Shaun Hargreaves, said:

“We know the community will be missing the chance to remember together this month, so this is our way of keeping Remembrance special, despite the pandemic”.

Sales and Marketing Director Uniplay, Victoria Walmsley, said:

“We’re proud to help residents remember such an important date in a special way in such unfortunate circumstances this year.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mohammed Khan CBE said:

“This is a fantastic gift to the residents of Blackburn with Darwen at a very difficult time.

“We know families are disappointed that they can’t gather to commemorate Remembrance as they usually would because of social distancing restrictions to keep our communities safe from Covid-19, but we can still remember those who lost their lives in conflict in a variety of innovative ways including virtually together, through online services from Blackburn Cathedral and St Peters, Darwen.”

Today, we have also shared a story as to how the organisation has been helping here in our borough. Read the story and see the video.

Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community and hope for a peaceful future. This year, more than ever the Royal British Legion need your support to help fund their vital work in the community.

To help support the Royal British Legion’s work you can make a donation  or buy a poppy.