School create poppy display in memory of town's First World War heroes

Year seven pupils from Penkford School, on Wharf Road, Newton-le-Willows, have been working hard towards creating a display each bearing the name of a soldier whose name features on the Earlestown and Newton-Le-Willows cenotaph.

It has taken the class at the special school, more than two weeks to complete the display, which was inspired by the Weeping Window display that has visited several locations, including the Tower of London, St George’s Hall in Liverpool and now Caernarfon Castle in Wales.

The project was undertaken as part of the students' local history class and spans the ceiling and walls of their history classroom.

Lauren Crane, history teacher and project leader, said: “I'm incredibly proud of how dedicated the boys have been to this project.

“They have worked incredibly hard, showed pride in their work and have demonstrated a lot of respect and gratitude towards Earlestown and Newton's fallen men of the First Word War and the legacy they have left for us.

“It has been a real labour of love for the students and staff but it has been very much worth it.”

Julie Johnson, head teacher at the school, added: "Well done to our pupils who have worked hard on our Penkford Poppy display. They were inspired by The Weeping Window Installation and they decided that they wanted to remember in particular local residents who have fallen in war.

“It is an exciting time for Penkford as two pupils and two staff will also set off on Remembrance Sunday to Ypres, where over three days they will experience life in the trenches , visit key locations like The Menin Gate be involved in commemorations of the Centenary of The Battle of the Somme.

"One of our learning mentors is an amputee from Afghanistan and our pupils are very aware of the modern day relevance and poignancy of Armistice Day."

Pupils and staff will also be visiting the Earlestown and Newton-le-willows war memorial on November 11.