Two seven-metre-high poppy murals have been created at the home of the National Memorial to the Few at Capel-le-Ferne to mark this year’s centenary of the Royal British Legion and the start of Armed Forces Week.
Organised by Dover District Council, the giant poppies have been painted onto two embankments flanking the iconic central statue of a lone Battle of Britain airman at the Battle of Britain Memorial. The mural has been drawn freehand by a team of landscapers from Agrovista Amenity.
The poppy murals will be officially unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday, 24 June to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion and ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 26 June.
Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans, and cadets. Individuals and organisations in the district can show their support and thanks by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
Officiated by the Rev John Lyons MBE, Padre of the Royal British Legion Downs Branch Deal, the event will feature Legion standard bearers representing the county and five local branches, including Dover White Cliffs, Downs, Eastry, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, and Staple.
Cllr Oliver Richardson, a former officer in the Welsh Guards and DDC’s Armed Forces champion, said: “The Dover district is proud of its long association with all branches of the Armed Forces so it’s great to celebrate Armed Forces Week in this unique way, as well as marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion and the amazing work it does to support the veteran community across the district.”
Richard Hunting CBE, chairman of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: “The Trust is delighted to have been asked to host this remarkable artwork which pays tribute to the fantastic work done by the Royal British Legion over the past 100 years and to the sacrifices made by service men and women through the years. This clifftop home of the National Memorial to the Few makes a stunning backdrop and we hope many people come to enjoy this splendid work.”
Christine Walton, Poppy Appeal Organiser for the Dover White Cliffs branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The five Dover Royal British Legion branches – Dover White Cliffs, Downs, Eastry, St Margaret’s and Staple – are delighted that Dover District Council is celebrating the Royal British Legion’s 100th Birthday with these murals.”
Agrovista Amenity was delighted to work with Dover District Council to create up-scaled commemorative poppy designs ahead of Armed Forces Week.
Landscape Team Manager, Ed Smith, commented: “We are very proud to have helped produce a visual tribute to not only celebrate the rich history of the Royal British Legion and the difference they have made in the Armed Forces Community, but also to honour and remember our serving soldiers and veterans.”
Agrovista Amenity supplies agronomic consumables and equipment for turf and sports pitches, with this design being created using equipment and specialist paint for sports line marking.