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Over 10,000 knitted, crocheted and felt remembrance poppies will go on display at Maidstone Museum on Tuesday 6 November to mark 100 years of the Armistice.

This special poppy tribute is part of a community project organised by Golding Vision, the community arm of housing association Golding Homes, and will be officially be opened by the Major of Maidstone, Councillor David Naghi.

Special knitting workshops were held in and around Maidstone, where residents were invited to come along to create the poppies. Thanks to the help of the volunteers, Golding Vision far exceeded their original target of 5,000.

Local resident, Audrey Hughes, knitted over 1000 poppies in 5 months. Audrey, 84 from Titchfield Close, Senacre said: “I wanted to give something back in memory of all the soldiers who fought in the war. My Grandad and Brother-in-Law both fought in World War 1, so this project has meant a lot to me.”

The 5000 Poppy Project began in Australia in 2013 when two textile artists, Lynn Berry and Margaret Knight, decided to honour their fathers who fought in World War 2. The project has since become an international tribute to respect and remember those who have served in the war.

Caroline McBride, Head of Community Development at Golding Homes said: “We are very proud to have organised this project in Maidstone to commemorate  100 years of Armistice. This has been a really fantastic opportunity to bring local  people of all ages together in remembrance.”

Alexandra Gurr, Exhibitions Development Officer at Maidstone Museum said: “We are delighted to be involved with the 5000 Poppy Project. We started the centenary of the First World War with our ‘Coming Home’ exhibition and we are also home to the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum. Hosting an exhibition of all the poppies made for the project feels like a fitting end to the centenary commemorations.”

The poppy installation will be exhibited at Maidstone Museum from 6 November through to 21 December 2018.