Remembrance Sunday to proceed ‘as usual’ amid redevelopment works

Remembrance Sunday commemorations will go ahead as usual in Carlisle as the city centre while building works to redevelop the area are ongoing.

Displays are currently up in preparation for the event on November 10.

More than 5,000 knitted and crocheted poppies have been months in the making and are on show in The Lanes shopping centre, on the Market Cross and the Old Town Hall.

Remembrance installation at The Lanes in Carlisle (Image: Supplied)

Carlisle Matters’ Yarn Bombers and The Lanes Shopping Centre have joined forces with the local community, to create something truly extraordinary to mark Remembrance Day.

The Yarn Bombers and the wider crafting community have been working tirelessly since May, on swags of poppies.

The installations will be in place until Remembrance Day on November 11.

Helen Fisher from Carlisle Matters said: “This is very exciting, and we are looking forward to more installations to develop a creative backdrop for the city.

“This wouldn’t be happening without the support of The Lanes Carlisle and hundreds of people all around Carlisle.”

Susan Young, centre manager of The Lanes Shopping Centre said: “The Lanes Shopping Centre is pleased to support the poppy installation and hope that it will prompt people to take a moment and reflect on the brave men and women who have given their all in war and conflict.”

While the city centre is occupied by construction workers as part of the Greenmarket developments, which aim to reshape the image of the city centre, the Royal British Legion and Cumberland Council have worked together to facilitate an event similar to previous years.

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A Cumberland Council spokesperson said the mass gathering will be mainly located by Hotel Chocolat further south on English Street, and fencing surrounding the construction site will be moved in where it can to make more room, but overall it’s considered to be going ahead ‘as usual’.

Cllr Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone that took part and supported this project.

“It was a great way to engage the community in a creative and collaborative way.

“It is a fitting tribute for remembrance.”