Grantham installs wartime wooden silhouettes

Grantham Arts unveiled a new public display outside the Guildhall Arts Centre to mark the town's Remembrance commemorations. The installation features four large wooden silhouettes representing different branches of the armed forces during the World Wars. A cascading arrangement of poppies sits alongside the figures as a tribute to service members.

The wooden cutouts depict a World War One Tommy, a World War Two paratrooper, a Land Girl, and a member of the Women's Royal Naval Service. College students researched local military history and painted the figures during workshops coordinated by Grantham Arts. The Wren silhouette specifically honors Joan Briggs, a Grantham resident who served in the Navy during World War Two.

The poppy element of the display consists of hundreds of handmade flowers stitched onto military camouflage netting. This specific poppy installation was first placed in the town in 2023. The visual components of the display remain in place through the upcoming commemorative events.

A Remembrance Sunday service is scheduled for 8 November at St Wulfram's Church. This religious service will be followed by a military march through the town center. The local observances align with countywide activities, including a service at the International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln on the same day.

Countywide poppy appeal activities began with a release of thousands of poppies from the Avro Lancaster Just Jane at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. The aircraft dropped the flowers to mark the start of the regional campaign. Local media outlets have also featured highlights from Lincolnshire on digital platforms.