West Orchards Shopping Centre will again fall silent on 11 November, as 4,000 poppy petals are dropped in memory of the country’s war heroes.
Armistice Day will be commemorated at the stroke of the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, with a traditional two-minute silence.
The first official Legion Poppy Day took place in Britain on 11 November 1921 and was inspired by John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”
Year upon year the nation expresses continued and unwavering support for The Royal British Legion’s charity work with the Poppy Appeal, highlighting the need for help for the current serving generations in the Armed Forces and their families, today and for the rest of their lives.
The commemorative service supported by West Orchards, The Royal British Legion and Coventry City Council is a moving, reflective and poignant reminder to city shoppers, workers and residents, of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
The event begins at 10.45am in the yellow corner of level 3, with speeches from the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Mal Mutton, and West Orchards’ Manager Andy Talbot, followed by prayers.
At 11am a bugler from the Coventry Corps of Drums will sound the Last Post, which heralds the two minutes’ silence, during which time thousands of poppy petals will be released to fall gracefully from the domed roof of the shopping centre.
The British Legion will then deliver the Exhortation and Kohima in remembrance of those who lost their lives in battle.
Andy Talbot, director of the West Orchards Shopping Centre said: “The Poppy Appeal is vital in helping pledge support for those who have fought for their country and served in the British Armed Forces. It remains a simple yet powerful service in which shoppers and visitors to the city, can pause for thought to remember anyone who fought and gave their lives in battle, whether the First and Second World Wars or indeed in recent and continuing conflicts.”
Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Mal Mutton said, “The Poppy Drop in West Orchards is a very important part of our Armistice events. It brings the people of Coventry together in a simple message of peace and remembrance. The city of Coventry will always honour the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and as we watch the poppies fall, the petals will once again remind us of those who sacrificed so much for us all.”
Those attending the event will be David Moorcroft OBE, Deputy Lieutenant who will be representing the Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson, Councillors from Coventry City Council, local churches, community groups, and the Royal British Legion.
The West Orchards Poppy Appeal began on 25 October.