MORE than 4,000 knitted and crocheted poppies are now covering the wall of a Hampshire church.

After a grand reveal on Sunday, there are now 4,200 knitted poppies cascading down the tower at St John the Baptist in North Baddesley.

The poppies were knitted by people from all over the world who had links to North Baddesley.

The initiative is part of a community project from Companions of St John in partnership with the Church of England in Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley.

Ian Wyllie, a veteran and member of the congregation at St John the Baptist’s sister church, said: “There is nothing to celebrate on this 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, but everything to remember. We are deeply affected by how many people in our community of North Baddesley have knitted or crocheted poppies for this poppy cascade. The whole church across the world longs for God’s plan for peaceful earth to be achieved. It’s appropriate then for this cascade, in which every poppy is an act of remembrance and hope to be hosted by the ancient church of North Baddesley.”

An exhibition entitled Into Perfect Peace is currently being held inside the church.

The Reverend Victoria Ashdown, vicar of Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley, said: “Both the poppy cascade and the exhibition inside the church witness to the cost of war and the churches’ desire to work for peace.”

The scheme has been supported by Test Valley Arts Foundation, the Parish Council of North Baddesley with help from North Baddesley Village day committee.

Celia Dowden, councillor for North Baddesley, said: “The poppies were knitted by residents, some from different parts of the UK and even from America, but all by people with a connection to North Baddesley. This moving and spectacular display is a fitting memorial for us all to remember the sacrifice made by so many in war. So many different groups from North Baddesley have contributed to this, it is a show of community spirit, such as would have been seen during those war years.”

The poppy cascade will be on display until November 17. A remembrance service will be held at the church on November 11 at 11am.