The railing at the lower end of Dawlish Bowling Club has been transformed into a colourful and poignant tribute to those lost in wars, after the town council decided to create a Poppy Wall of Remembrance.

The Poppy Wall was set up after the usual Remembrance events – a parade and public church service – had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 restrictions. It was intended to enable Dawlish residents to pay their own tributes in a publicly visible way.

People were invited to knit or crochet their own poppies, or buy them from local shops in exchange for a donation to the Royal British Legion.

The initiative has been so well received by local residents that the town council is considering making it an annual event, provided the Bowling Club grant permission.

If it goes ahead next year, Dawlish WI, whose members produced at least 95 poppies, plan to knit enough to cover the entire fence.

Knitting poppies 'gave Dawlish WI members a boost

Dawlish WI's president, Jan Lendon, said members had 'jumped at' the chance to get busy knitting poppies this year.

She said: "It was unbelievable, I think they felt as if they were actually giving something back.

"The knitting of poppies gave them quite a boost."

The news of the Poppy Wall was announced only a few weeks before it was created, so the WI ladies didn't have much time to get knitting.

But if the initiative goes ahead next year, they will start several months in advance, aiming to knit around 2,500 poppies in total.

Poppies were sent from far and wide

This year, dozens of other local residents and organisations contributed to the display, and the town council also received poppies for the wall that had been sent from other locations including Wales and Cornwall.

The poppy wall will be in place until Saturday, November 14.