AN INCREDIBLE 8,000 knitted poppies will “turn Charfield red” this year to mark 100 years since the end of World War 1.

The group behind the incredible effort, Charfield Yarn Bombing, was set up for the cause, with more than 50 people have already joined the cause, aiming to cover Wotton Road in the poppies by October, with the display then being sold off to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Since it formed two months ago, the group, which ranges from eight-years-old to 92, have made incredible progress, having already passed the 1,000 poppy-mark, despite many of its members having never even tried knitting before.

The group’s founder, Helen Date, said that “it went crazy” after she put a poster up online asking for anyone who would want to join, with the cause continually growing ever since – to the point that they even have people contributing from as far away as Yorkshire.

“It’s amazing how everyone knows about it and are very quick to support us,” she said.

“This has brought so many people together and has formed some amazing friendships in a very short space of time.

“We have some people who can’t even knit, but some of our older and more skilled members have been very patient and have taken the time to teach the beginners.”

She added that, despite the group having originally planned to meet once a month at the Charfield Memorial Hall, and everyone being encouraged to knit at home, they quickly found they were meeting at the pub every week for a “knit and a natter”.

Visiting the group’s meeting on Tuesday, Royal British Legion fundraiser Nicole Mayall said that on this landmark year the Legion are looking back on those that gave their lives and also those that came back and changed the world they lived in.

“They came back to a very different world, and we have a great deal to be grateful to them for rebuilding the world we live in today,” she said. “It’s really lovely to see the community in Charfield working together to create the generation that gave so much for us.”

Later on this year, Charfield Yarn Bombing also plan to take over the village hall for a 1920-40’s tea dance, with live music and plenty of entertainment, again, all in aid of the British Legion.

When they go on sale, the poppies will be selling in garage and village shop for £3.

To find out more about Charfield Yarn Bombing, visit facebook.com/charfieldyarn, or contact Helen by calling 07577149173 or emailing helen@cyberprog.net.