TWO hundred and forty wooden red poppies will be “planted” in Ilkley Memorial Gardens at the end of The Grove on Saturday, November 10 in advance of the 100th Anniversary Remembrance Day service on November 11 at 3pm.

Over 220 men and women resident in Ilkley were killed in action during the four years of the First World War. A further 20 more pupils of Ilkley Grammar School who lived outside the town were also lost in the conflict. Edward Wild, a long-standing Ilkley resident, has meticulously researched their lives and produced a list of their names and details, often with photographs. Inspired by this it has been agreed that an artistic installation may be placed in the Memorial Gardens, with one poppy for each victim. Artist Russell Brown, of Oakworth has crafted the six inch diameter flower heads and stalks from timber and painted them with long-lasting paint. The cost has been raised primarily from amongst the lawyers and estate agents of Ilkley. Organised by Steve Butler, of Butler & Kandler, a collection of £750 has been raised so far. Estate Agents Dacre, Son & Hartley, Dale Eddison, Hunters, Harrison Robinson, Walker Smale, and Easy Location (from Otley) have all committed £50 each. Equally solicitors LCF Law, Walker Foster, Stowe Family Law, Ison Harrison & Co, Eatons, RDC Law, Chris Jones and Wilsons Solicitors, as well as Butler & Kandler, have all pledged a similar contribution. It is hoped that further amounts will be forthcoming but if necessary the balance of the cost (£150) has been underwritten by Ilkley Town Council.

Russell Brown said: “I hope that many will volunteer at 12 noon on Saturday, 10th November, to help me and the donors to “plant” our Poppies in the banking inside the Memorial Gardens. Once finished the installation will look impressive and be very moving.” Ilkley residents are asked to help. Contact Steve Butler (07811 111366) or Russell Brown (07854 966606) for more details. Mel Smith, of the Parks Department, has approved the work and will prepare the site before the work starts. It is hoped that light refreshments will be available in the Gardens or nearby. More details will follow nearer the day.

In addition Edward Wild will be speaking about his work and the Ilkley Fallen at a meeting at Christchurch Lower Hall on Wednesday, November 7 at 7.30pm. He will subsequently be reading out the names of all the deceased as a sign of respect and remembrance during a short vigil at the Cenotaph in Ilkley at 11am on Sunday, November 11.