#towerpoppies

[historicroyalpalaces]

Looking back at the Tower Poppies

One year after the final poppy was planted; we take a look back at some of the memorable moments from ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, the installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies in the moat of the Tower of London, by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

The making of the poppies

Each of the 888,246 ceramic poppies was handmade in Derbyshire. Workers at Paul Cummins’ studio rolled, cut and shaped poppies by hand, making each one an individual and totally unique. Over 40,000 tonnes of clay was used to make the poppies.

See how the poppies were made

17 July 2014 – first poppy planted

The first ceramic poppy was planted in the moat of the Tower of London by our longest serving Yeoman Warder on 17 July. Over 20,000 volunteers would go on to plant the remaining 888,245 poppies in the following months. Each poppy represented a British or Colonial military fatality in the First World War.

See how the poppies were installed

5 August 2014 – official opening

The installation was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry on 5 August. Each member of the Royal Party planted their own poppy in remembrance and met with representatives from the six military service charities who would go on to benefit from the sale of the poppies. We expect to raise just over £9m for the charities.

8 October 2014 – visit from HM The Queen

On 8 October the installation was viewed by HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh after they attended a service at the newly restored Chapel Royal of St Peter Ad Vincula. At the center of the installation, HM The Queen was presented with an iron wrought wreath made of poppies.

11 November 2014 – final poppy planted

On 11 November at 11.00 the final poppy was planted by a young cadet in a ceremony to commemorate Armistice Day. Following the planting, the last post was played and a two-minute silence was observed.

For more moments from the installation, watch this short video.

[escpbusinessschool]

London, Tower Poppies by HDR-newaddict on Flickr.

[disney-princess-in-the-making]

My poppy is finally here and I am so super excited!!!

[mdc8o]

My poppy arrived! #MyTowerPoppy #poppy #TowerPoppies #leeds

[williamssfc-blog]

During the Fall break I was able to take a trip to London in order to meet up with my Grandma and her friend Carol. All three of us had a wonderful time being tourists, admiring the amazing history, old buildings via the Underground as well as double decker busses!

Our first day was spent roaming the Tower of London, Kensington Palace (just as they were changing the guards) & at Harrods (by far the most elaborate mall ever - puts Caesar's Palace in Vegas to shame).

On the second day we went on the London eye, saw Big Ben, sat in on a debate at the Parliment, and ate some fish and chips at a classic english style pub. 

I fell in love with the Tower Bridge. I loved it in the daytime and even more so when it was lit up at night. By far my favorite bridge, which is a strong statement considering how many I have seen thus far in Europe!

There was an impressive art installation at the Tower of London called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red that represents one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War. The poppies were so beautiful in person as they flowed out onto the moat surrounding the Tower and continued all the way around it in a literal sea of red. 

We walked all over the city and I really got a sense for how big it was when we were at the top of the London eye. I may have underestimated how big a city of 8.308 million can really be. Can't wait to return and to see some of the attractions that we may have missed the first time around. Until then, I will just have to find a place with English breakfast tea in Copenhagen and use my imagination!

Peace, Love & lots of Crumpets.

Natalie :)