Laurandy Centre users create remembrance display of hand-knitted poppies
Users of a Wick daycare centre have joined forces to create a striking remembrance display in which hand-knitted poppies form the words "Lest We Forget".
A total of 164 poppies were produced by nine of the ladies who attend the Laurandy Centre, including 100-year-old Dorrie Barnes. She was born three years after the end of World War I and shares her centenary with the Royal British Legion, which was founded in 1921.
The display, stretching from the floor almost to the ceiling, also features a poppy wreath, model aeroplanes, silhouettes of soldiers and a wooden stave bearing the message "Laurandy Remembers".
The model planes, including a Spitfire and a Harrier, were made by two of the men who use the popular centre at the airport industrial estate.
A 100-year commemoration of the Royal British Legion rounds off the display, along with a set of individual photos of the users who took part.
Laurandy is a third sector organisation providing day support for vulnerable older people in need of care.
Centre manager Tracy Mackay explained: "The ladies and gentlemen at the Laurandy Centre wanted to mark Remembrance Day and the ladies decided to knit some poppies. We had a knitting group where they got to work and created a lovely display.
"It has been an emotional tribute that everyone has loved completing.
"The gentlemen built model planes to go along with the display, while staff members made the soldier silhouettes and the stave. Everyone is so proud of their hard work."
Miss Mackay added: "The majority of the service users have dementia and their family members would say, 'They used to knit but they can't do it now.' But it just came flooding back and they were able to do the knitting – it's just amazing."
Laurandy was shut for more than a year because of the pandemic but staff kept up regular contact with service users through home visits and other activities. The centre reopened in May with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Miss Mackay said: "Altogether we've got about 23 people on our books but we are only taking about 13 a day."
In February this year, when she turned 100, Mrs Barnes invited family and friends to make online donations to the Laurandy Centre instead of giving birthday gifts. More than £2200 was raised.