by John Prince
All 25 lamppost poppies in Hornsea that were put up last week have been taken down temporarily, following concerns that some are being vandalised or stolen.
Hornsea and District Royal British Legion say they think some of the poppies will have been damaged by high winds but say it is ‘awful’ that others may have been tampered with and removed on purpose.
RBL volunteers say some cable ties that were used to hold the poppies up along Newbegin look like they have been deliberately cut, and one poppy appeared to have been thrown into church grounds set some way back from the road.
The lamppost poppies, which are new for this year, have been sponsored by local businesses and charities who all gave a minimum £10 donation to the Poppy Appeal. Special QR codes are attached to the reverse.
They will go back up again closer to the town’s Remembrance Sunday parade next month but will remain down for the time being.
The RBL said: “Unfortunately, we’ve temporarily taken down our lamp post poppies after several were damaged, and a few went missing.
“A couple appear to have been damaged by the wind. The way a few others have broken suggests they may have been pulled downwards, although we cannot confirm exactly how this happened.
“We’re now waiting for replacements and will put all the poppies back up, complete with their sponsor sheets, closer to Remembrance Sunday.
“A big thank you to our sponsors and everyone who has supported the trail. We appreciate your patience and look forward to restoring this display of remembrance for our community.”
While taking them down, Cameron Skinner from the RBL said people had asked him why he was removing them. He had reassured them it was to make sure the poppies are safe and no more can get damaged or taken.
Meanwhile, 250 wooden poppies made by local school children have been moved indoors because of bad weather (see above).
They were mounted on railings at Memorial Gardens but have now gone up in Tesco in Southgate to protect them from damage.
The poppies made by Hornsea Community, Hornsea Burton and Skipsea primary schools have been hand painted, and include traditional red ones and purple ones for animals.
The RBL’s Hannah Skinner said: “Due to the poor weather conditions, the wooden poppies decorated by our local schoolchildren will now be displayed inside Tesco Hornsea on the back wall near the checkouts.
“A massive thank you to Tesco Hornsea and the team for welcoming our display at such short notice. Your support means the children’s wonderful work can stay protected from the weather and continue to be enjoyed by our community.
“Please take a look when you’re next in store and see the creativity and care the children have put into their poppies.”
A spokesperson from the Hornsea Poppy Appeal has said there are now more than 80 collection boxes around the town and local villages, and has thanked the community for their support with this year’s appeal.
