The Council is launching its mass poppy seed planting community project next week as part of its commemorations to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Community groups and schools invited to take part

The first wave of the poppy sowing is to start this week and residents, community groups and schools are invited to take part. The aim is to create a number of ‘ribbons’ of the scarlet poignant blooms linking housing estates and open land across the whole of Royal Greenwich. The programme is part of the Royal British Legion's national Remembrance Centenary Poppy Campaign.

The Royal Borough parks staff have earmarked a number of locations to start the planting but people are urged to advise the Council of any other suitable sites for the project which is to run for the whole of the spring.

Seeds being sown on a number of estates

In the coming week seeds for the iconic blooms are to be sowed in Woolwich on land by Elliston House and on the John Wilson Street Estate, Nightingale Vale on the Woolwich Common Estate and on the Woolwich Dockyard Estate. Planting is also to take place on the Abbey Wood Estate, Glyndon Estate in Plumstead, Shooters Hill Estate and the Meridian Estate in Greenwich.

Green open spaces earmarked to turn red which are to be seeded up next week include Pippin Hall Meadow in Eltham, Blackheath Royal Standard and Little Heath in Charlton.

Inviting as many people as possible to join the event

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Council said: "Creating poignant 'ribbons' of poppies across Royal Greenwich is part of our larger programme of events planned for later this year to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

"Throughout spring our parks department will be planting poppies across the whole borough. The flowers should be in bloom for the start of our events and will act as a poignant reminder of those who sacrificed their lives in the conflict which changed this borough and the world in so many ways.

"I'd be delighted if as many people as possible will join in the project so it truly becomes a whole borough effort to mark the historic centenary."

'A touching reminder of the sacrifices made by so many'

Councillor Jackie Smith, Member for Community Safety and Environment, said:  "For many people the enduring symbol of the war is the poppy which represents so much to us as a nation and serves as a touching reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during that terrible war.

"We've worked carefully to select locations for the poppies to make sure they're highly visible. I'll be encouraging schools and community groups to join with our parks team to help plant the seeds so that as many people as possible can be part of our commemorations."

Take part in the project

To take part in the project or make suggests of locations for poppies email parks@royalgreenwich.gov.uk with 'Poppies' in the subject line.