The residents of Bowood Court Care Home in Redditch were buzzing with excitement as one of their own, June Cooke, aged 93, pledged to knit 90 hand-crafted poppies for her local Royal British Legion (RBL) branch. June’s poppies will be part of a special window display at the Kingfisher Centre in November, commemorating Remembrance Day. Moved by her heartfelt contribution, representatives from the RBL Redditch paid a personal visit to Bowood Court to express their gratitude in style.
When the Activities and Wellbeing Team at Bowood Court shared news of June’s project with the RBL, the veterans were so touched by her dedication that they decided to visit June in person. Dressed in their formal suits and medals, they arrived with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation. They spent time with June, discussing her contribution and their own plans for the Remembrance display.
“We were absolutely thrilled when June took on this amazing project to support our Remembrance Day efforts,” said a representative from RBL Redditch. “Her commitment to crafting these poppies by hand is deeply appreciated, and we couldn’t wait to thank her in person.”
June’s visit from the veterans turned into a special day for the entire care home. The RBL members, who had come to pay tribute to June, ended up visiting with other veteran residents at Bowood Court, sharing stories from their time in the armed forces and reminiscing about their experiences. The event took an unexpected festive turn as the veterans joined in on Bowood’s Oktoberfest celebrations, sampling traditional German food and beer alongside residents. Frankfurters, beer tastings, and music filled the home with warmth and joy.
To top it all off, the RBL even brought along their Remembrance Moped, adorned with poppies and symbols of remembrance. Much to everyone’s delight, June couldn’t resist taking a seat on the bike, sparking laughter and smiles all around.
June’s poppy-making mission is part of her commitment to honour and remember the sacrifices of those who served. The Royal British Legion’s special visit made the project all the more meaningful, highlighting the community spirit and shared sense of remembrance that lives on in Redditch. For those interested in seeing June’s poppies, the Royal British Legion’s window display at the Kingfisher Centre will be unveiled this November in honour of Remembrance Day.