River of Poppies at Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight Christ

*Caption:* *The River of Poppies at* *Christ Church Port Sunlight*

Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight, with the assistance of the Green Watch from Bromborough Community Fire Station, installed a River of Poppies on the tower of the church in Church Drive.

This also featured on BBC Radio Merseyside on Daybreak with Paul Beesley - 12/11/2023 - BBC Sounds at (1hr 33mins) where Revd Liz Byrne and Debbie Stott were interviewed in the Bang the Drum, success stories from communities section. They talked about the installation, the story behind it, their ongoing Poppy Club, the sense of community and the amazing response and support.

The River of Poppies was the idea of Debbie Stott, and over the last 12 months the installation has involved over 80 knitters, from the church family and local community, as well as knitters from the Thornton Hough Woman's Institute, Highfield URC, Port Sunlight Stitchers, and family members of the Fire Brigade and others from across the Wirral. Knitted poppies have also arrived from as far afield as Mold, Northampton and Australia, and some knitters have made more than 150 poppies each.

Minister the Revd Ian Smith said: "Thanks go to everyone who has helped in any way. More than 3,500 poppies have been added to create the River of Poppies, and this is an amazing symbol of the commitment of Christ Church and the village of Port Sunlight to remember those have served their country, and, in particular, those who lost their lives in the many wars and conflicts that have taken place around the world."

Christ Church URC joined with the village for Remembrance weekend commemorations with an Armistice Day Service at the Port Sunlight War Memorial.