Pat’s Poppies Perfect for Remembrance Commemorations at Winchester Care Home
A Union Jack flag made of knitted poppies will take pride of place at a Winchester care home during its Remembrance commemorations.
Creator of the flag is Pat Hansford, a 97-year-old resident at Brendoncare St Giles View in Quarry Road, Winchester. It has been very much a team effort as Pat was helped by her two daughters, grand-daughter, and members of the Brendoncare St Giles View team.
So far, Pat and her helpers have knitted and assembled more than 200 poppies. They appear on both the flag and are also on sale as poppy brooches at the care home. All proceeds are going to the Haig Fund, which supports veterans from all conflicts and military actions.
This is not the first time Pat’s poppies have gone on display at Brendoncare St Giles View. They were also made into a garden floral tribute to mark D-Day on 6th June.
This was a very personal tribute for Pat, who is Winchester born and bred, as her late husband Charles was a Royal Naval rating who saw action in the D-Day Normandy landings.
However, the St Giles View team gave Pat the idea for the Remembrance Day poppy project which she was glad to accept. She started buying wool for it back in July.
Everyone at the care home is delighted with the results of her amazing work.
Nadine Lloyd, wellbeing coordinator at Brendoncare St Giles View, who helped with the project, said: “Pat really is an inspiration to us all here with her incredible poppies. Her wonderful flag will be going on display in our café throughout the week of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.”
Brendoncare, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, provides care homes, extra care, community clubs and support services for older people across the south of England.