Member Article

Pupils mark 100th anniversary of WW1 by planting poppy seeds

Green-fingered school children in County Durham have been planting poppy seeds as part of the 100th Anniversary of the First World War.

Five schools in and around Chester-le-Street have planted flower seeds as part of a joint initiative by local housing provider Cestria Community Housing, Durham County Council’s Civic Pride Team and the Royal British Legion.

The event aimed to promote flower growth in the area while educating pupils of all age groups about WW1.

Michael Hall, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor from Cestria Community Housing said: “We are helping the British Legion promote and educate the children about WW1 as well as bringing colour into our communities.

“We wanted to turn areas into beautiful attraction spots by planting the wild flowers while marking this important anniversary at the same time.”

The 4th August 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War, in which more than 1.1 million men and women’s lives were lost fighting for their country in a war that ended on 11th November 1918.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance that will help to educate school children in the area.

Rachel Jobson, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion said: “As the poppy is the nation’s symbol of remembrance and the emblem of our charity we are delighted that Durham County Council and Cestria have chosen to highlight the work of our charity in this special commemorative year.

“Our work with the armed forces past and present and their families is just as relevant today as it was when we first set up in the aftermath of WW1.”

Cestria Community Housing has been working on a wild flower project within the area for a couple of years, which has transformed public spaces around Chester-le–Street.

The schools that were involved in the poppy planting day were Newker Primary School, Woodlea Primary School, Nettlesworth Primary School, Chester-le-Street Church Of England Junior School and Sacriston Junior School.

Amy Hartnell, Civic Pride Officer at Durham County Council said: “The event promotes education around the environment and the origins of WW1. It’s been going really well so far.

“We have all come together to help a project that is beneficial to the public and the schools, allowing Cestria to grow wild flowers to beautify areas.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ailsa Macmillan .