|
Quarter of a million
visit Poppies
LIVERPOOL'S Poppies have reached a
major milestone as they attract more than 250,000 visitors. The
beautiful ceramic display featuring thousands of poppies officially opened
on Saturday, 7 November 2015, and each week tens of thousands of people are
braving the wintry conditions to see the tribute, with the current total at
263,500 visitors.
Poppies - Weeping Window is a poignant reminder of those who have lost their
lives during conflict has proved to be an emotional work of art for many
visitors, and more than 1,000 people have taken the time to fill out a:-
'Time to Remember and Reflect' postcard to record their reaction to the Poppies or
to remember loved ones who lost their lives during war.
Some of the comments have included:-
"Long time lover, 1st time visitor of Liverpool. The Poppy wall took my
breath away. I could surely feel the spirit of those long ago gone and the
emotions of the people in Paris. God bless this beautiful world, so glad to
have visited this amazing City." -
Vivienne Henry, 51, California
"The Poppy Weeping Window is the most beautiful tribute I have ever seen. The
Poppies are so beautiful yet create a peaceful calm. They are arranged with
so much care to create such beauty; you can only feel emotion when looking
at them. Liverpool has produced a 'window' that no one else can. Everyone
should visit (all staff were so friendly and helpful) thank you." -
Christine and Matthew Pye, St Helens
"A very poignant memorial to all those brave men who lost their lives from my
own family. Herbert Hartley Senior 19 years, the Somme, John Raymond Senior
23 years, shot down over France, Robert Frost Justice, somewhere in Flanders
never found." -
Jean, 72, Chester
"Remembering Uncle David, age 3, killed by a bomb blast and Great Uncle Bob
Cheshire Regiment killed in North Africa, gone, but not forgotten."
-
Ruth and Jennifer Moore, Birkenhead.
"WW1 Joseph Johnson. A very young man sent to France and was lucky to be put
behind the big guns. Returned a hero. He never picked up his medals and
always commented that the real heroes were the ones who didn't return home."
-
Esther Davies, Granddaughter of Joseph.
"In loving memory of my granddad Ronald who fought in the 2nd World War.
Love Oliver." -
Oliver, 8, Liverpool.
"To all of those who have fought bravely both in WWI and all the wars that
have followed, we will never forget. Time may have passed but your legacy
will always live on." -
Rhiannon Wells, 18, Flintshire.
"In memory of my dad who gave his life for freedom and now sleeps in peace in
a war cemetery in Italy age 26 years." -
Daughter who will always remember.
"I think that the Poppies were interesting and beautiful, but it was sad when
I thought of all the people who lost their lives." -
Erin, 10, Burscough.
"A wonderful display. Let's hope it makes everyone reflect on the sacrifices
that were made and are still being made. The horrors of war are still
evident every day, let's hope one day there will be peace. In loving memory
of my dear dad who served in the 2nd World War." -
Anonymous.
"For Kenneth Glenfield Collin, died on the Somme 12 October 1916 leading his
men from the front aged 19." -
Ruth Collin, Little Sutton.
"We the young need to remember and show our gratitude to all those who have
given so much for our freedom." -
Honey 10, Bailey 8, Nico 5, Middleton.
"A fitting tribute to all those who died for us... So moving and beautiful at
the same time. Liverpool you have done the fallen proud." -
M Eves, 70, North Wales.
The postcards can be found in the marquee on the plateau of St George's
Hall. The Poppies team will electronically log all contributions which will
be published on the official
website.
The online Roll of Honour is also another way in which members of the public
can remember loved ones involved in conflict. Images or just a short note
can be easily
uploaded
with the aim to create an online legacy around the reaction to
the Weeping Window.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "To reach the quarter of a million mark
already is incredible and we have been truly overwhelmed by the response to
the Poppies. Reading the hundreds and hundreds of comment postcards
left by the public has been an emotional experience in itself. The Poppies
set in the beautiful surroundings of St George's Hall inevitably evoke a
reaction and I am so pleased that people have been eager to share their
responses, memories and sometimes incredibly personal, moving stories with
us to record online. We are home to the Poppies until Sunday, 17 January
2015, and we want to make sure that even after the work of art has moved on,
we have a legacy of their time in this city, and the visitor feedback and
the Roll of Honour will do just that. There are five weeks still to go, so I
hope people continue to tell us just what the Poppies means to them."
The poppies are in the city as part of a UK wide tour organised by 1914 to
1918 NOW
who are the national organisers of the First World War Centenary Cultural
Programme.
Jenny Waldman. 14-18 NOW Director, said:- "14-18 NOW are thrilled with
the overwhelming response the poppies have received in Liverpool. The installation at St George's Hall looks stunning, and it's wonderful
that so many people in the area have been able to experience this
extraordinary artwork. We hope many more people will be able to visit the
poppies over the festive period before Weeping Window makes its way to the
Black Watch Museum in Scotland in May 2016."
For the latest information visit:-
CultureLiverpool.Co.UK,
also you can follow @culturelpool on
Twitter, or Like Culture Liverpool on Facebook. |
