THE MIRACLE FLOWER – FROM FLANDERS TO THE TOWER by JEREMY PRESCOTT

Date  :  21st April 2021

Time  : 7:00 pm

The story of how the Poppy has become the flower and symbol of remembrance. From John McCrae's iconic poem "In Flanders Fields", to America and how Moina Michael gave the poppy the name "The Miracle Flower" and initiated the poppy appeal in support of the sentiment expressed in that poem, to Anna Guerin who encouraged French widows and their children to make poppies which she then sold to the B Legion with the proceeds helping them to lead their lives. Major George Howson MC with a grant of £2,000 established the Poppy Factory in 1922 employing disabled service personnel. The influence of the opium poppy in the recent war in Afghanistan is covered with the end of British engagement coinciding with the uplifting project "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" at the Tower of London. The presentation concludes with a look at how remembrance may be conducted in the future