October 21, 2014 11.43 am This story is over 113 months old

Lincoln care centre marks birthday with remembrance poppy planting

Poignant marker: Staff and members of Busy Days day care centre in Lincoln had the chance to plant commemorative poppies at the Tower of London.

A Lincoln day care centre for adults with learning disabilities celebrated its second birthday by giving staff and members the chance to take part in a historic First World War commemoration.

Members of Busydays day care centre, based in the Queens Park Hub in South Park, Lincoln, joined other teams at The Tower of London to plant 7000 poppies on October 17.

The poppies join ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper’s installation of poppies, which was unveiled on August 5.

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, which will include 888,246 poppies by November 11, marks 100 years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in WWI.

Each poppy represents a British and Colonial fatality during the war.

The team of eight from Busydays centre stayed for the last post ceremony, where the names of those who lost their lives are read out.

They then visited a few famous sites in London before making their way back to Lincoln.

Busydays Manager, Pat Andrewartha, said: “It was a wonderful but emotional day.

“This trip enabled them to participate in an event that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“We always discuss current topics. I mentioned the opportunity at Busydays and made some enquiries.

“We heard back that we had been successful and could take a team of eight. There were restrictions because of health and safety so it did limit who was able to go.

“Some had never been to London before so the whole journey train, underground was an adventure and then the whole tower experience.

“The sea of poppies was amazing to see and very emotional when we explained to the members what each poppy was for.

“This trip coincides with the Birthday celebrations of Busydays. It is 2 years since its formation. Over the last 2 years it’s been good. It was a struggle at times to keep going especially at the beginning because everything costs money but here we are 2 years on.

“In that time we have been very lucky to receive support from Community development Fund, Spring Kitchen and Green Synergy. We now run an evening social club fortnightly on a Tuesday 7pm-9pm.

“Everyone can join us for our Birthday/Halloween party on October 28.”

For any enquiries, ring 07904563794.