CRAFT COOP's
Windsor community poppy project
Creating a large-scale community remembrance installation in Windsor for 2026.Thousands of handmade poppies will come together in one united act of remembrance — bringing our town together through creativity, memory and connection.Led by Craft Coop CIC in partnership with local schools, community groups and veterans’ organisations, this is a project for everyone.
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About the Project
The Windsor Community Poppy Project is intended to bring the town together to create a powerful, town-wide act of remembrance through thousands of handmade poppies.Centred on St John the Baptist Church (Windsor Parish Church) and forming the heart of a wider poppy trail including Clewer Memorial Recreation Ground, Spital Cemetery and, subject to agreement, Broom Farm, the project invites residents of all ages to contribute.Led by Craft Coop CIC with partners including the Royal British Legion, schools and community groups, it aims to be inclusive, accessible and deeply rooted in community spirit. We also warmly welcome local sponsors and wool donations to help make participation possible for all.Core TeamMichelle Johnson, Creative Outreach Coordinator and Heidi Berry, Director - Craft Coop CICReverend Sally Lodge, Wardens Michael Harding and John CassonCllr Amy Tisi - Lead Member for Children's Services, Education and Windsor, Clewer & Dedworth Together CICCllr Karen Davies - Lead Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, Friends of Spital Cemetery
The easiest way to contribute
Make a poppy
We’d love you to be part of the Windsor Community Poppy Project.All textile poppies are welcome — knitted, crocheted, sewn or felted.You can use one of the guides below or create your own. Poppies are beautifully imperfect and every contribution matters. Yarn ends can be left in — we’ll tidy them before installation.If you’re taking part as a community group, care home or even school, it would be really helpful to know roughly how many poppies you feel you might be able to create. A soft pledge helps us plan the overall display and ensure space for everyone’s contribution.Together, we’ll create something very special for Windsor.
more crafting guides
Links to poppy tutorials
Knitted poppy
Crochet poppy
Felted or fabric poppy
Upcycled plastic poppy
Specifics
sizing, colour and material
Size: 10–12cm ideally but poppies come in all sizesColour: reds encouraged, but inclusiveWeather-resilient materials preferred - acrylic yarn is more rain resistant
another simple way to help us
Plastic Bottle Collection
As part of the Windsor Community Poppy Project, we’re also creating poppies from the bases of recycled plastic bottles.This simple, accessible activity allows even more people to take part. In previous projects with groups such as Age Concern, the Stroke Association and Younger People with Dementia, we’ve found that even those with limited dexterity can comfortably join in and create something meaningful.It’s a wonderful way to combine remembrance, creativity and sustainability — turning everyday materials into something powerful and beautiful.
what we can accept
Clean, clear plastic bottles - or pre-cut to leave just the 'flowery' ends - the larger the better!
Drop-off locations
- Craft Coop, 15 Windsor Yards, Windsor (next to Vision Express)- Craft Coop, 79 Queens Walk Mall, Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead- Craft Coop, 32 Obelisk Way, The Square Shopping Centre, Camberley
Deadline
To give us enough time to prepare and install the display, we kindly ask that all poppies are donated by 1 October 2026 latest.That said, as soon as you have a batch ready, we would love to receive it as it helps with panning layout.
WHY SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
Help Windsor Remember Together
The Windsor Community Poppy Project is a large-scale, inclusive act of remembrance rooted in creativity, community and connection.To make this possible, we are seeking local organisations and partners who share our commitment to community wellbeing, education and remembrance.This installation will:- Engage thousands of residents across generations
- Involve approximately 30 schools and numerous community groups
- Create a highly visible civic installation at Windsor Parish Church
- Form the foundation of a wider town remembrance trailYour support helps ensure participation remains free and accessible to all.
LEARNING TO REMEMBER
Schools & Education
Inside the church, we will showcase the creativity of children and young people from across Windsor.Early Years, primary, secondary and further education settings — including maintained, academy, independent and special schools — will be invited to create poppy murals using simple guidance from the project team. These will be suspended from the first-floor balconies, forming a striking installation that reflects remembrance through young voices and imagination.We hope to engage around 30 local schools in partnership with Achieving for Children and wider networks. If you'd like to be involved sooner, we would warmly welcome support — including PTA help with yarn or recycled bottle poppies for the outdoor displays.
can't craft? that's okay!
Sponsorship & Support
Your support will help create a powerful, town-wide act of remembrance that is accessible to all.Sponsorship helps fund materials, safe installation and project logistics, keeping participation free and inclusive. Support doesn’t have to be financial — we welcome yarn donations, storage, printing services, recycled materials and volunteer time.All sponsors and major contributors will be respectfully acknowledged on the installation and on our website in due course.If you’d like to be part of something special for Windsor, please get in touch to explore how you can help.
What Sponsorship Supports
Contributions help fund:- Materials for schools and community groups
- Safe and secure installation infrastructure
- Outreach coordination and logistics
- Inclusive access and engagementSupport does not need to be financial. We welcome:- Yarn and textile donations
- Recycled materials
- Storage space
- Printing services
- Volunteer time
Sponsor Recognition
All sponsors and major contributors will be respectfully acknowledged through:- Recognition on the installation display
- Listing on the project website
- Inclusion in relevant press coverage
- Invitations to launch and key project momentsWe are committed to ensuring recognition remains appropriate to the setting and aligned with the spirit of remembrance.
Community Impact & ESG Alignment
This project offers meaningful alignment with:- Community wellbeing and inclusion
- Intergenerational engagement
- Education and creative participation
- Environmental sustainability (recycling strand)
- Local place-based investmentWe are happy to provide wording to support internal CSR / ESG reporting.
Meet out supporters
Sponsors and Supporters
Thanks to the support of the Windsor Castle Lodge Freemasons, this project is possible.Windsor Castle Lodge 771 stands within the long tradition of Freemasonry. Rooted in principles of charity, integrity, and mutual support, the Lodge contributes to local and wider causes such as the Windsor Community Poppy Project. Its members bring together professional life and civic responsibility, offering both financial support and time to initiatives that strengthen community life.Find out more about the group via their website linked below.a
Want to see what else we've done?
Delivery & track record
The Windsor Community Poppy Project is led by Craft Coop CIC, an award-winning social enterprise rooted in creativity, community and collaboration.Over the past decade, Craft Coop has delivered large-scale community craft and remembrance projects across Berkshire, including Royal British Legion-linked poppy installations in Bracknell and Maidenhead.Beyond remembrance initiatives, Craft Coop supports local makers through retail opportunities, delivers creative outreach in partnership with charities and community organisations, and raises vital funds and resources through projects such as our Giving Trees and the annual Maidenhead Town Show. We also run initiatives, including Mini Coopers, nurturing creativity in children and encouraging hands-on making away from screen-based play. Through regular collaboration with wellbeing groups and grassroots charities, we work to ensure creativity is accessible to all.The Windsor Community Poppy Project builds on this strong track record, scaling our experience to create something truly special for Windsor.
contact information
Get Involved
Feel free to provide your email below, and subscribe to our project newsletter.
If your organisation would like to support the Windsor Community Poppy Project, we would be delighted to arrange a conversation. You can email us directly at [email protected] or contact us through our social media channels through the links below
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Thank you
We really appreciate your support on the Windsor Community Poppy Project, and look forward to continuing on this journey with you!
