Fort George kirk poppy cascade marks VE Day’s 80th anniversary thanks to efforts of partners of Inverness and Highland service personnel
A cascade of poppies installed at the kirk in Fort George is helping to mark VE Day thanks to the work of the partners of serving military personnel.
The display, which will also mark other remembrance events, was produced by the newly-established Army Welfare Service Adult Craft Club on Wimberley Way.
The club aims to provide a creative outlet for the partners of military personnel local to Inverness and the wider Highlands, as well as offering a sense of focus and purpose.
“The craft club’s project for the past few months has led to the creation of a focal point for remembrance,” said the club’s Laura McCarthy. “Poppies, both red and purple, will adorn the communion table and pulpit of the Kirk at Fort George Barracks. Those colours being reminiscent and reflective of the ultimate sacrifice given by soldiers and animals during times of conflict.
“Additional poppies made and decorated by the children of serving personnel will also form part of the display.
“Each poppy has been handcrafted with love and care, either crocheted, knitted or created from felt. The craft club members have taught each other these skills, which has led to many of them bonding in a unique way based upon shared experiences. Times of deployment can be extremely isolating, therefore, to spend time with likeminded people can be both cathartic and, to an extent, life changing.”
As Fort George is currently home to the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, the craft club has sought to honour them by incorporating the use of military camouflage netting and Black Watch Tartan ribbon.
Laura added: “As military wives and partners, the craft club know all too well the sacrifices made by serving military personnel both past and present.
“The club hope that by producing such a focal point at what is an important time for the battalion and military, that this will make the upcoming period of reflection at Fort George, all that more poignant and special.”
