In March 2022 whilst I was at the Town Hall, feeling very honoured to receive a mayoral award for this project, I asked if there was any local funding available to be able to do something with the tree trunk. My first thought was for a dove of peace, but the trunk was not wide enough. Then a WW1 Tommy soldier, but that was far too expensive. Out of the blue the poppy idea started.

 

With the help of Carole McCann, I applied for a grant to pay for a tree sculptor and eventually was successful. After some research Andy Burgess was chosen, who came highly recommended. With health and safety always a priority and the proximity to the road, the area was cordoned off whilst the council team cut the trunk down. I had asked for 7 feet to be left but they chopped it back to 7 metres, so they had to come back!