Poppyscotland Learning Competition launched
Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens yesterday.
Members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, attended the poignant event, organised by Legion Scotland, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts, with more than 30 wreaths laid at a service which was also well attended by members of the public.
Among those that joined Edinburgh’s Lord Provost were representatives from organisations such as the Scottish Government, The Royal Scots, The Scots Guards, Police Scotland and many others. Erin Ritchie, 17, from Port Seton and a sixth year pupil at Preston Lodge High School, was the piper at the event.
Erin, who started piping at the age of nine and has played at many prestigious events such as the 35th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict and the tenth anniversary of the end of operations in Northern Ireland, said: “It is an honour for me to play at such a poignant event as we remember those who gave their all so that we could grow up with the freedoms we so often take for granted.”
Commenting on the service, Legion Scotland National Chairman Charlie Brown said: “This was a wonderful occasion which was very well attended by representatives from all three Services. It was heart-warming to see so many people connected to the Armed Forces community in Scotland as well as a fantastic turnout from the public as well.”
Following the opening of the Garden of Remembrance, guests and members of the public moved into Poppyscotland’s Field of Remembrance. A sea of stunning memorials has been created from thousands of Remembrance symbols that have been returned to the charity from supporters across the globe.
Poppyscotland has launched its very popular Learning Competition for 2017/18, calling on Scotland’s schools to explore the power of design as part of remembrance and reflection.
‘Poppy Places and Spaces’ is a design competition divided into two age groups – P4-P7 and S1-S3 –which has been inspired by the fact that 2018 is the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. It supports the question: ‘Why is it important to remember?’
Dr Derek Patrick, the Learning Officer at Poppyscotland, said: “We want you to design a Poppy Place and Space – an area for remembrance and reflection. Designs can be produced by hand, by computer or using appropriate mixed media. It could be an outdoor or indoor space and we’re asking pupils to be as creative as possible. We want the youngsters to work together to submit an entry as a class.
“Remembrance can be controversial, and there is a recurring debate over the alleged politicisation of the Poppy. Consequently, it is more important than ever that young people are well informed and able to contribute to this ongoing dialogue. Poppyscotland does not seek to lead this debate in one direction or another; rather we facilitate as broad an understanding of the subject as possible among our nation’s young people.”
Last year’s competition, which set pupils the task of writing a letter home from the front-line of battle, proved hugely popular throughout the country with more than 1,000 entries submitted. Head of the judging panel in 2016/17 was television presenter and journalist Kirsty Wark, whose great uncle, Sergeant James Wark, served with the 47th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corps and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery. He survived the First World War, only to die in France of Spanish flu on November 29, 1918 – 18 days after the Armistice.
There will be one overall winner picked from a public vote of a shortlist of three in the primary school age category (P4-P7) and three in the secondary school age category (S1-S3). The overall winner will have the opportunity to build their Poppy Place or Space. This will be limited to a maximum cost budget of £1,000. Runners-up will receive book tokens.
For more information on the competition, which runs until Friday, 8th December, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/learning, or telephone Derek Patrick on 0141 338 6587.
Winners will be announced in April 2018.
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