Huge poppy display unveiled at Warwick's Lord Leycester

By Ellen Manning 5th Nov 2024

The display was unveiled on Tuesday 5 November (image by Lord Leycester)
The display was unveiled on Tuesday 5 November (image by Lord Leycester)

Warwick's answer to the Tower of London's poppy display has been installed at The Lord Leycester this week in a fitting tribute to mark Remembrance Day.

The display was launched on Tuesday 5 November, where visitors can see the artwork by purchasing a standard general admission ticket to the historic attraction.

The Lord Leycester, situated on Warwick's bustling High Street, is marking Remembrance Day this year with an eye-catching display of more than 600 ceramic poppies in the half-timbered medieval courtyard of the recently-restored grade I Listed building.

The Lord Leycester sought the help of local artist, Lottie Wilson, to craft over 600 clay poppies for the display, with the help of children from Westgate Primary School and Warwick Cub Scouts.

A series of free drop-in workshops were also held at the Lord Leycester for members of the public to contribute to the display by making their own handmade poppy on the 1 and 2 November.

The location of this poppy display is fitting given the Lord Leycester's rich military history.

The display has more than 600 ceramic poppies (image by Lord Leycester)

It has been a home to ex-servicemen and women since it was founded in 1571 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leycester, to care for deserving soldiers known as 'Brethren', who fought in the wars of the Tudor age during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The community of Master and Brethren at the Lord Leycester has endured for over 450 years and continues to this day.

The Master and Brethren of the Lord Leycester have all served in the Army, Navy or Air Force, with more than 450 servicemen and women calling the medieval half-timbered buildings home since the charity was founded.

Warwick residents will be well accustomed to seeing the Brethren wearing their Elizabethan robes while welcoming visitors at the main gates to this historic attraction on the town's West Gate.

Artist Lottie Wilson is behind the display (image by Lord Leycester)

Artist Lottie Wilson said: "I'm really excited to be working with the Lord Leycester on this community project and art installation. It's a privilege to share creative skills with my local community and to make time and space for conversations about Remembrance Day.

"Each poppy made will be wholly unique - just like the people making them! I hope that the poppies serve as a sincere tribute and that the public enjoy the installation."

Members of the public can purchase their General Admission Tickets on the Lord Leycester website or in the Ticket Office, with adult tickets costing £11.

This ticket gives visitors full access to the historic site, which has recently undergone a £5 million transformation funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players and in partnership with other national and local community donors.

Included in the price of a General Admission Ticket, visitors will get the chance to see the magnificent display in the medieval courtyard, along with new exhibition spaces telling the story of the Lord Leycester's 900-year history, the 500-year-old Master's Garden and areas of the site which were previously not open to the public, including a section of Warwick's original medieval town wall.

To buy General Admission Tickets, click here.

For more information on the Lord Leycester and its programme of events click here.

     

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