Bishops to plant poppy seeds at schools to mark World War I centenary

Photo: Paul Heyes

Angel Alexander aged 7 and Kaiden Standring aged 7 with the The Bishop of Middleton Mark Davies

Bishops and staff from the Diocese of Manchester Education Department will be out and about at 10 Church of England schools across Greater Manchester between Wednesday 30 April and Friday 2 May 2014, planting poppy seeds to commemorate the centenary of World War One.

The Diocese of Manchester has sent special packets of centenary poppy seeds to every one of its 191 church schools, encouraging pupils to grow a patch of Flanders poppies to mark the centenary.

The initiative is part of the Royal British Legion Centenary Poppy Campaign, which aims to cover the UK with poppies during the centenary period in commemoration of all those who lost their lives in the First World War.

The Bishop of Middleton, The Rt Revd Mark Davies, Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Education, said: “We are encouraging each of our 191 church schools to mark the centenary of the First World War by planting poppy seeds. Poppies are a symbol of the sacrifice of all those who lost their lives and of the peace we now enjoy. As we plant the poppies we will be pledging to use our lives today in the service of all people.”

Diocesan Director of Education, Canon Maurice Smith CB, said: “We are very proud of our 191 church schools across the Diocese of Manchester. Each school is an important part of its local community and it is fitting that the pupils will be learning about the events of 100 years ago and the impact of the war on every town and village. Growing a patch of poppies in the school grounds will be a tangible tribute that the pupils can enjoy participating in.”