FLOWER FRIDAY

I woke quite early this morning wondering what I could use for my Flower Friday Blip, wanting to make it different.  I remembered that I had to go to Royal Wootton Bassett this morning to take my Macbook into Big Apple, a firm located in the High Street, so having seen this sculpture when we were there last time, decided that I would stop on my way and take some photographs.  

This marble sculpture of a poppy, created by Wiltshire artist, Mark Humphrey, and named “Forever” has been given to Royal Wootton Bassett to thank the residents for the way the town honoured repatriated military personnel.  

Then in October 2011, the town of Wootton Bassett was officially renamed with the prefix “Royal” - the first time since 1909 that a town has been granted a royal title - in recognition of the role of the town between Spring 2007 and Summer 2011, when the coffins of 355 fallen military personnel passed through and the High Street became a focal point for families of the deceased - it was always very moving to watch this on the television and we shared their sorrow and pain. 

The sculpture was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal and dedicated by The Rt Rev’d The Bishop of Ramsbury, Dr. Edward Condry, on 21st June 2016.  The sculpture weighs 4.5 tonnes, is 3m across and will be illuminated in red on a specially-created stand.  

The plaque alongside says:

“This stone poppy memorial is created from hard marble 
to represent the harshness of war;  
the white of the stone signifies peace, 
illuminated by red in remembrance;  
its delicate petals show the vulnerability of human life, 
shaped into four hearts to express gratitude, 
honour, love and respect;  
the petals meet to form a cross 
as a symbol of sacrifice and forgiveness.”

May we always remember those who gave their lives that we might be free.