A display of 1,000 red poppies and a life-size wooden horse were recently installed at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital for the Birmingham Trust’s Remembrance Week activities.
The poppy installation is made up of a life-size wooden horse on a field of 1,000 red poppies, with a display of white poppies and doves as a symbol of remembrance and peace. The poppies were crocheted and knitted by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Knit and Natter group as part of its Remembrance Week activities. Di Olalla of the group said: “We had the idea for the field of poppies after seeing another display, but wanted to include something to commemorate horses in the service of war too. Thank you so much to all the patients, volunteers, and staff who contributed to the project; this really was a group effort, and it’s great to see so many people come together to help us commemorate Remembrance Week.”
Colleagues from across the Trust, including members of the Knit and Natter group and veterans, were joined by representatives from the War Horse Memorial to view the installation and share remembrance stories.
Carl Measey, a Health and Safety advisor at the hospital, served in the Royal Navy as a Petty Officer from 1987-2010. He said: “After transitioning back to civilian life after 23 years’ service in the Armed Forces, what I and many others miss the most is that unique and magical ‘esprit de corps’. Many civilian occupations are not able to come close to replicating or emulating these feelings – this sense of ‘worth’, but working at the ROH comes as close as any civilian employer could possibly hope to do.
“At the ROH we have a strong and rare bond - we work closely together as a team, often in challenging circumstances. We have a great culture of supporting one another, bringing all our individual skills and experiences to the frontline – and every day we see the amazing results – delivering fantastic care and life changing positive outcomes for our patients, not to mention their relatives and friends.
Crocheted and knitted purple poppies are also featured in the display, helping to raise awareness for the Animal Purple Poppy Fund and recognise the sacrifice of animals drafted into the war effort. Susan Osborne, co-Founder of the War Horse Memorial, said: “Over countless wars, but particularly the two World Wars, tens of thousands of animals lost their lives to allow us to enjoy the freedom and democracy we enjoy today. Dogs were sent into the trenches carrying messages between soldiers, cats were sent to kill the rats, horses were used to pull heavy artillery guns, and donkeys worked the mines to keep the war effort productive. When food ran out thousands died of starvation, and when the conflict was over hardly any came home. We can never repay them for their service.”
The poppies will be sold following the event, and a donation made to the Royal British Legion and the Animal Purple Poppy Fund.
