100 years on, the children of Chadderton remember

Local children stood by the flower bed outside Chadderton Town Hall

The flower bed outside Chadderton Town Hall has been transformed to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Volunteers from Chadderton Together, Chadderton Historical Society, Oldham Council’s Environmental Services team and seven local schools have joined forces to produce this wonderful floral display which includes a giant poppy.

The poppy consists of 1,200 small poppies made by the children of Christ Church Primary School, St. Luke’s Primary School, St. Herbert’s Primary School, Burnley Brow Primary School, Mills Hill Primary School, Whitegate End Primary School and Firwood Manor School.

The flower bed was prepared by the Environmental Services team and then – in a special planting session – children from the schools came along to help volunteers from the two organisations.

Councillor Arooj Shah, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This type of community spirit should be commended and recognised across the borough.

“It is lovely to see schools, council employees and volunteers from community organisations come together to remember those who lost their lives as a result of conflict.

“The flower bed looks lovely and I hope lots of residents get to see it over the coming days.”

Janet McLaren, Chadderton Together member and creator of the Poppy Project, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the pupils and staff of all the schools who helped to make this project such a success and Wendy Cockram who originally came up with the idea.

“Thanks also to the Oldham Council Environmental Services team who prepared the flower bed. It was a real joint effort.”

These types of activities assist local children in their learning about this significant event as well as other conflicts.

For more information on the events and remembrance services happening across the borough in time for remembrance Sunday, visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/oldhamremembers

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