The Poppy Factory

M and I had a nice day out on Tuesday.

Situated in Richmond upon Thames in Surrey The Poppy Factory supports veterans and their families into employment, helping them overcome barriers.

The visit started with a presentation introducing us to the history of the factory. In 1921 artificial poppies were imported for the first poppy appeal from France by Madame Anna Guérin. The first poppies were made from silk for the petals, wire for the stem and bitumen for the centre.

In 1922 the Disabled Society, a charity established by Major George Howson MC and Major Jack Cohen, received a grant of £2,000 from the British Legion's Unity Relief Fund to employ disabled ex-service personnel to make remembrance poppies in England. Later that year, Howson wrote to his parents, "I do not think it can be a great success, but it is worth trying. I consider the attempt ought to be made if only to give the disabled their chance." They set up in a former collar factory on the Old Kent in London. Soon the factory was employing 50 disabled veterans. As demand for the poppies increased the old collar factory eventually proved too small, and in 1926 the factory moved to a disused brewery in Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey. The current Art Deco Poppy Factory building was built on the brewery site and was completed in 1933. Their legacy has gone from strength to strength with 30 million poppies now being made anually.

The factory where the poppies and wreaths are made

There was a poppy to suit every budget.

The tiny one in the centre sold for 3d (62p today).

 

Royal wreaths left to right:

HM King Charles; Prince William; the late Queen Elizabeth II

The late Prince Phillip; Princess Anne; Prince Edward

The wreaths are kept here throughout the year and delivered to London

for the Remembrance Service.

Many denominations are represented in the Field of Remembrance

Regimental wreaths

The pretty blue one belongs to the SAS

the clock has its own wreath!

We made a poppy to keep.

These clever wooden gadgets were made specifically for veterans who had lost an arm. We were asked to put our dominant arm behind our back. First we put a green stalk into the vertical groove, then put the leaf over the stalk, followed by the petal and finally click the button in the middle. It's a great little gadget.

We finished our tour with tea and cake. I took the photo to show how pretty the carrot cake looked. It was delicious 😋

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x