Canford Heath honours fallen soldiers with lamppost poppies

The Association of the Residents of Canford Heath (ARCH) placed 100 large poppies on all the lampposts along Adastral Road and Canford Heath Road on Sunday October 24.

For the centenary year of the first ever poppy appeal, many of these will be sponsored in memory of people known to residents or simply in memory of all fallen heroes.

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A spokesman from ARCH said: “The main road running through Canford Heath is Adastral Road and is named after the motto of the RAF ‘Per ardua ad astra’ which translates as ‘through adversity to the stars’.

“Very appropriate considering we are all living in challenging times and yet in the face of adversity we are pulling together, connecting as a community and supporting one another.”

Residents are urged to buy a poppy from one of the Canford Heath outlets selling homemade knitted and crocheted poppies that have been made by residents including members of the Canford Heath Knit and Natter group.

Poppies can be purchased at the Chester Pearce Funeral Services at the Neighbourhood Centre, the Craft Locker in Adastral Square or the Canford Heath Library during their normal opening hours.

Julie Caines, one of the organisers, said: "The display of lamp post poppies along the main roads created a wonderful sight to behold for many including families walking to school, drivers on their way to work, and people travelling through on buses and acted as a great reminder that the poppy is a symbol of remembrance and hope."

A display of some of the knitted poppies was also unveiled at Canford Heath Library on October 24, with Canford Heath Art Society to produce a Remembrance Day themed artwork display.

The lamppost poppies will be in place until Monday November 15, with all profits from Canford Heath Remembers will go to the Royal British Legion.