Portadown church knits 10,000 poppies into 90ft display hanging from church tower

At St Mark’s parish church, Portadown, rector William Orr says their display extends 90 feet from the church tower to the ground and has taken a year to complete. Dozens of people have been involved in knitting 10,000 poppies for this beautiful and moving creation.

Rev Orr explains: “We have never had anything like this before. It was a Herculean effort by some eager volunteers who spent hours and days working on the project.”

The rector continues: “The whole project was the brainchild of our parish administrator Amanda Simpson, who also is part of a craft club in the church led by Kathy Trimble. Without them, the project could not have got off the ground.

“A year ago, they started inviting members of the church, the community and anyone who would be willing to knit or crochet poppies. And so, bit by bit, they reached their goal of 10,000 poppies and then began the slow process of attaching them to the backdrop.

“The actual cascade or fall was put together by a willing band of 30 people who spent a month working evenings and Saturday mornings. It was a hive of activity!”

A cherry picker was required to lift the fall into place and unfurl it down the front of the Memorial Tower at the church which was built to commemorate those who gave their lives during the First World War.

There is a strong tradition at St Mark’s church in Portadown town centre honouring the fallen. For example, in 2024, the craft club did a display of just over 200 poppies, one for every parishioner named on the church war memorials. A year later, they did another display with 497 poppies for those named on the Portadown town war memorial just yards from St Mark's church.

Rev Orr adds: “This year is our St Mark's church bicentenary and, so, it was felt a special, all-out effort was required. The fruits of their labours is there for all to see and admire. Numerous people have come up to me to say that it is stunning and a wonderful way to mark the sacrifices of so many soldiers who did not return home.

“Remembrance Sunday is a date that is cherished. If we can give a strong visual reminder to people who pass by our town centre parish church that we honour those not with us, we will have done our job. “Tomorrow, St Mark’s will be packed with parishioners and visitors in a collective expression of thanks and gratitude. All are welcome.”

“Putting together 10,000 poppies is an amazing feat and I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who took part in the project.”

* Tonight (Saturday) St Mark’s church will host its Remembrance concert which will feature the Northern Ireland Military Wives' choir, Portadown Ladies' choir, County Armagh accordion band, and St Mark's church silver and flute bands. The concert starts at 7pm and is free.