Thornhill Remembers, Together: ‘Amazing’ villagers rally ahead of Remembrance Day after ‘saddening’ theft of poppies

The picturesque arrangement, in support of respecting military personnel who died in World War I and subsequent conflicts, was placed outside Thornhill Dental, on Edge Lane, at the end of last month.

Within two days, five of the wooden and acrylic ornaments were taken, with the other five disappearing in the last 48 hours.

Despite the “saddening” act, an initiative - Thornhill Remembers, Together - has been launched with the help of James Tattersfield, practice manager at the dental surgery, which has seen neighbours, schools, playgroups - including Thornhill Community Pre-School and Nik Nik’s Bizzy Bees - and businesses join forces to proudly display colourful poppies in their windows throughout the village.

James told the Reporter Series: “It is about turning a negative into a positive and it has brought people together. Our poppy display was there to show our pride and to put a smile on the faces of our community and patients. We had lots of lovely comments from patients and passers-by about how beautiful it looked.

“And the support since from the local community has been wonderful, with many messages of kindness and sadness at what happened. It was a feeling of disappointment and sadness, because of what the poppies represent.

“But there is always a positive and the way the community and neighbours have pulled together has just been amazing.”

One of the large poppies was found smashed in a local park by resident Sarah Kilkenny and her daughter Abigail. The kind-hearted pair restored it and returned it back to Thornhill Dental.

“It just shows that there are some amazing people out there,” a grateful James said.

He added: “We also hope it will help teach local children about remembrance, pride and respect for things that belong to everyone. Our message is simple: these poppies were taken, but hundreds are now coming.”

The colouring poppy sheets are free to collect from Thornhill Dental reception and every poppy handed in to the practice will be added to a special display.

There is also a collection tin at the practice for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.