Crochet and knit across the pond with poppies

Wareham Carnival in Wareham, United Kingdom and the Wareham Twinning Committee of Wareham, Massachusetts is inviting knitters and crocheters throughout the community to take part in the organization’s Poppy Project for the 2026 carnival season.

Inspired by the famous cascading poppy installation at the Tower of London, the project will create a large display of handmade poppies at St. Martin on the Walls Church in Wareham. The committee is requesting red, white, purple and black poppies to honor remembrance, peace and community spirit.

Each November, residents wear paper poppies sold by the Royal British Legion to raise money for military families and veterans. National observances also include the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and ceremonies at the Cenotaph in London.

The Wareham across the sea has remembrance events that hold special meaning due to the town’s connection to Bovington Camp, located about 10 miles away, where members of the British Army train.

Each year, residents participate in a parade through town led by a band, followed by services at St. Martin on the Walls Church and the town memorials. At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the community observes a period of silence commemorating the end of World War I.

The committee hopes local residents with knitting or crochet skills will contribute handmade poppies to the display. Community groups already have expressed interest in participating, and additional volunteers are encouraged to join the effort.

Anyone who is willing to help make poppies, when finished, can drop them off to the Wareham Twinning Committee on the third Thursday of the month for the committee's monthly meeting, which is held at the Multi Service Center, 48 Marion Road. Poppies should be dropped off by the end of July.

Volunteers plan to assemble the installation in September at Wareham Town Hall in the United Kingdom. For more information, email warehamtwinning@yahoo.com.