23,000 poppies take centre stage for Durham Remembrance Day

Members of the public came together to create 23,500 poppies in red, white, purple and black which will be suspended from the ceiling inside Durham Market Hall.

Durham Markets Company wanted to honour all 16,386 Durham Light Infantry (DLI) soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

Louisa McLean, of Durham Markets Company, said: “I'm over the moon. I was worried that I was asking too much from people, so when the poppies came flooding in so quickly, it made me quite emotional.

"I can't believe we hit the target so early. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would take off the way it did.”

The project kicked off at the end of April and within three and a half months, the target was met.

Louisa said: “I knew the Durham community was strong, so I had no doubt the target would be hit. What I never expected was that the campaign would go viral and reach so far.

"I have had poppies posted in from all over the UK – some because they have a connection to Durham but some because they just loved the idea and wanted to contribute.

"There were people who weren't crafty but still wanted to help in their own way, so they would buy wool and buttons to contribute.

"I received so many letters and photos with tales of why they were taking part and stories of family members from the DLI who either lost their lives in war or who then went on to live with the consequences of war.

"There are a few poppies made with distinct characteristics, so the creators can come and try to spot them in the installation and know that one was for their family member.”

Now the challenge is attaching the poppies to netting so it can be hung in the market hall in time for Remembrance Day.

A poppy-stitching station has been set up in the bottom left-hand corner of the market hall where people can help attach the poppies to the netting.

The station is open from 11am until 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.