More than 200 volunteers come together for Chelmsford's poppy knit-a-thon

More than 200 volunteers gathered at Chelmsford Cathedral on Saturday 8 August for a community poppy knit-a-thon, creating hundreds of handmade poppies for this year's Remembrance displays.

The event brought together residents, community groups, knitters and crocheters of all abilities in a shared act of remembrance and community spirit. Volunteers gave up a Saturday morning to sit side by side and craft poppies that will form part of large-scale displays across Chelmsford later this year.

A representative from the Royal British Legion joined the event and delivered a speech highlighting the importance of remembrance and the role communities continue to play in honouring those who served.

Visitors enjoyed plenty of conversation, as well as tea, coffee and homemade cakes throughout the knit-a-thon.

The knit-a-thon created a sociable atmosphere in Chelmsford Cathedral as volunteers joined together to chat and craft.

Communities inspired to help

The knit-a-thon inspired people to get involved beyond the Chelmsford Cathedral event. Broomfield Village Care Home, whose residents could not travel to the event, organised its own knitting session at the same time so residents could contribute handmade poppies to the project.

More upcoming community craft sessions

Following the incredible response, organisers have turned their attention to the next stage of the project. Volunteers now need to attach thousands of poppies to almost 40 metres of netting before displaying them across Chelmsford city centre.

To support this effort, Chelmsford CVS will host a series of relaxed community sessions over the coming weeks where volunteers can help assemble the displays with tea, coffee and cake provided.

• PATCH Chelmsford (CM2 6QR), every day between Monday 14 and Friday 18 September. Sessions are 10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4pm.

• Chapter House (CM1 1NX), every day between Monday 28 and Wednesday 30 September. Sessions are also 10am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4pm.

Everyone is welcome to any and all sessions. If you would like to come, please contact Chelmsford CVS by emailing: volunteer@chelmsfordcvs.org.uk.

More help needed: Thousands of poppies need be attached to almost 40 metres of netting ready for display.

There is still plenty of time to contribute knitted or crocheted poppies. The deadline for submissions is the end of September. People can drop off poppies at:

• Chelmsford Cathedral (CM1 1TY)

• Chelmsford City Council's Civic Centre office (CM1 1JE)

• Chelmsford CVS office (CM1 1FW)

The overwhelming turnout at the knit-a-thon, alongside contributions from groups across the city, highlights the strength of community support behind this year's Remembrance project and will help create a collective tribute that Chelmsford will remember.