Members of the Scouting Association across Monmouthshire embarked on a massive project at the beginning of the summer, with the aim of making 1200 ceramic poppies to commemorate the lives of fallen servicemen within the county.
A chance encounter with HRH the Prince of Wales and HRH the Dutchess of Cornwall in July, gave members of Monmouthshire Scouting the opportunity to showcase their proposal. The Royal couple were so impressed with the scale of the project that they too insisted on getting their hands dirty and moulded the clay to perfection, before endorsing the base of the poppy with HRH approval. The Royal poppies shall be included in the display at Raglan Castle on 18th November, where Monmouthshire District Scouts will hold a special commemorative service for the armistice centenary.
As a new term commences, the project is back in full swing and with the assistance of both primary and secondary schools across the county, the mammoth task of firing and painting these poppies are under way.
All poppies shall be embossed with the name of a fallen Monmouthshire serviceman and will make a tremendous display of recognition when laid at Raglan Castle in November.
Heidi Marriott-Trevains
