New garden with display of poppies to commemorate war centenary

Next year, 2014, will be the centenary of the beginning of World War One, the Great War. This will be commemorated in many different ways throughout the country.
Horsham in Bloom and Horsham District Council will commemorate the World War I centenary next year by establishing a gardenHorsham in Bloom and Horsham District Council will commemorate the World War I centenary next year by establishing a garden
Horsham in Bloom and Horsham District Council will commemorate the World War I centenary next year by establishing a garden

In Horsham there are plans to create a display of poppies annually on the site of the existing rose beds to the north of Park House.

New beds, laid out in a fluid curvilinear style will be sown each year, 2014-2018, with a mix of Flanders poppies and other annuals chosen to extend the display over the summer months.

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Beyond 2018 the beds will be planted more permanently with perennial poppies and grasses.

An engraved piece of Horsham stone bearing appropriate commemorative words will take pride of place and remain as a permanent feature of the newly-created garden in amongst the sustainable planting.

The engraving is planned to be a line of verse from the WW1 Poet Edmund Blunden who was a pupil at Christ’s Hospital.

Sue Brundish, Chair of Horsham in Bloom said: “Horsham in Bloom is pleased to work in partnership with Horsham District Council Parks and Countryside to provide this new feature for the community in Horsham.

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“It will be the latest project following on the success of the Millennium Maze, the Human Nature Garden in Horsham Park and the Diamond Jubilee Ribbon of Colour in North Street.

“The intention is to provide a peaceful place for reflection and a lasting tribute to the brave men and women whose lives were sacrificed such a long time ago.”

Donations are being sought towards the cost of the engraved piece of Horsham stone from individuals, families and organisations.

If you wish to do this please contact the Secretary of Horsham in Bloom, Lynda Cheeseman at [email protected] (telephone 01403 215491) or John Marder at [email protected]

Report and picture contributed by Horsham in Bloom.