A Green Remembrance

Every year the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, and her team of Deputy Lieutenants lay wreaths on Remembrance and Armistice Days to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars around the world. 

This year will be a little different as the wreaths being laid will be eco-friendly, sustainable wreaths.

In collaboration with Women’s Institutes (WI) from across Shropshire, the Lieutenancy team have created “green” wreaths.

Wreath bases made of wood, and foliage sourced from gardens around the county, form the basis of the wreaths. These have then been completed by attaching poppies that have been knitted and crocheted using donated and recycled wool, by more than 20 different WI groups.

Deputy Lieutenant Tullis Matson contacted WI groups locally who were only too pleased to support the project, and hundreds of poppies were delivered to him by WI representatives.

Co-ordinated by Sarah Matson, wreath-making sessions were held where the wreaths were created by a number of volunteers.

Each wreath is unique in design and topped off with a card of remembrance.

To complete the sustainable circle, where possible, the Lieutenancy team will collect parts of the wreath that might be able to be re-used next year.

Mrs Turner said:

“I am delighted to be part of this project. Sustainability is part of the King’s message – indeed he has championed environmental and nature causes for over 50 years. Collaboration with the WI groups has been a powerful way to drive local engagement, bringing together passionate, community-minded individuals.

In lieu of the Lieutenancy purchasing wreaths, we will be making donations to the Royal British Legion and Soldiers of Shropshire.”   

Wreaths will be laid across the county on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant in the following places

Anna Turner LL – Ludlow

Jenny Wynn OBE VLL – Albrighton / Telford

Jo Baugh DL – Church Stretton

Lieutenant Colonel Sam Brettell DL – Oakengates

Claire Brentnall JP DL – Much Wenlock

Robert Bland DL – Dawley Great Town

Viscount Boyne DL – Burwarton/Ditton Priors

Claire Crackett MBE DL – Shawbury and Bayston Hill

Major General John Crackett CM TD VR DL – Shrewsbury

Colonel Mark Cuthbert-Brown CBE DL – Nesscliffe and Kinnerley

Dr Josh Dixey DL – Pontesbury and Westbury

Edward Dugdale DL – Broseley

Diana Flint DL – Ellesmere

Katherine Garnier DL – Clun

Selina Graham DL – Highley

Lord Hamilton of Dalzell DL – Bridgnorth

Gill Hamer DL – Baschurch

Peter Holt DL – Wrockwardine

Air Vice Marshal Warren James CB CBE DL – Cosford

Rupert Kenyon-Slaney DL – Shifnal

Nicola Kershaw DL – Craven Arms

Ian Sawers DL – Oswestry

Tullis Matson DL – Whitchurch

Nichola Peers DL – Wem

Fiona Rogers-Coltman DL – Bishops Castle

Tony Morris-Eyton DL – Newport

Martin Stevens DL – Market Drayton

Rhoddy Swire DL – Cleobury Mortimer

Katy Tanner DL – Corvedale

Sir Edward Tate DL – Wellington

Mandy Thorn MBE DL – Ironbridge

Gareth Williams DL – Madeley

Jonathan Turner – Telford Town Park