Wick pupils’ poppies to play part in remembrance events
Poppies made by woodwork students at Wick High School will be on display during this weekend’s remembrance events in the town.
A group of S3 Practical Woodworking pupils have been involved in manufacturing around 80 poppies to display at the war memorial in the town centre.
Members of the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) were able to visit the school and witness the poppies being made in the school workshop.
This gave them the opportunity to engage with the young people, and foster a positive link with the school. Secondary technical teacher Jodie Anderson said they were very impressed by the standard of work from the pupils in three different classes, as well as their engagement with the project.
The pupils took part in a school trip which involved them having their own service of remembrance at the war memorial. Pupils gathered around whilst Murray Harrold, S2, recited the poem, In Flanders Fields.
Murray has also organised this year’s poppy appeal in the school.
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The group observed a one-minute silence to pay their respects and then laid their poppies around the war memorial. After the service, the pupils were invited back to the RBLS’s Mackenzie House where the members put on drinks and snacks for the pupils.
Miss Anderson, who organised the project, said it was great to see the local military history on display and for the kids to meet members of the veterans community. Pupils enjoyed the involvement in making something for their community, as well as developing skills in working with an alternative material.
Miss Anderson said: “I’m so proud to see the pupils’ work displayed around the war memorial. They have worked very hard on this project, and have made a fantastic job of manufacturing the poppies.
“We’ve had some lovely feedback from members of the community, and intend to embed this project into our school curriculum in technical to continue displaying the poppies for future years.”
Poppies will be available to buy from Wick High School at the end of November.
The remembrance events in Wick on Sunday begin with the parade from Market Square to the war memorial at 10.45am, with the service of remembrance taking place at Wick St Fergus Church at 11.30am. Further events take place at the Seafarers’ Memorial (1.45pm), Wick Cemetery (2pm) and Ackergill and Hempriggs war memorial (2.45pm). Other events are taking place across the county.
