The Royal Borough has been sowing the first wave of the poignant flowers which are set to bloom for the events to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War which are planned for later in the year.

The aim is to create 'ribbons' of poppies as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many 100 years ago as part of the Royal British Legion's national Centenary Poppy Campaign.

Children, residents and members of the British Legion have enthusiastically joined in the sowing events on land on housing estates, parks and flower beds by the side of roads across the whole of Royal Greenwich.

School children participated from Boxgrove Primary School in Abbey Wood, Glyndon Primary School in Plumstead, Invicta Primary School in Blackheath, Mulgrave Primary School in Woolwich, St Thomas a Becket Primary School in Abbey Wood and Wyborne Primary School in New Eltham.

The poppy planting programme is to continue until the end of the spring and any residents, community groups or schools who would like to take part or suggest locations are invited to get in touch with the Council's parks department.

'Would like to invite everyone to take part'

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of the Council, said: "We are really looking forward to seeing Royal Greenwich ablaze with swathes of poppies for our programme of events planned later this year to remember the sacrifices made by so many 100 years ago. I am thrilled that so many people have already embraced this community project already and would like to invite everyone to take part so we can make tribute worthy of this important centenary."

'A poignant reminder of the sacrifices made'

Councillor Jackie Smith, Member for Community Safety and Environment, said: "It has been brilliant to see so many children and residents enthusiastically joining in our planting sessions. The poppy is a such a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during that terrible conflict we are keen to get as many planted out across the Royal Borough as we possibly can.

"With the help of many we have already sowed thousands of poppy seeds but have many more thousands to sow - so please get in touch if you would like to join in."

Take part

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