Council seeks “Wave Makers” to greet Poppies visitors

December 7, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Council seeks “Wave Makers” to greet Poppies visitors

Tuesday 6th December 2016

A willing band of volunteers is sought to welcome visitors to Shoebury’s Barge Pier when the celebrated Poppies: Wave sculpture comes to town next year.

The volunteers, or “Wave Makers” as they will be known, are being sought to welcome the thousands of visitors expected to visit the 14-18 NOW Poppies: Wave by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper at Barge Pier, Shoeburyness when the installation comes to the Borough from 12th April to 25th June as part of its UK tour.

Around 150 volunteers are needed to cover a total of 210 four-hour shifts, with volunteers being asked to cover as many or few shifts as they wish.

Full training and an induction will be given with the aim of having a minimum of three volunteers covering each shift. Volunteers can sign up for as little or as many shifts as they would like.

Wave Makers will be on hand to help visitors by answering questions, giving directions or just being a friendly face for a chat.

Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism & The Economy, said: “The London Olympics showed us all how valuable a contribution volunteers can make to an event’s success. The Poppies: Wave coming to Southend is a huge deal for the Borough and is likely to attract visitors from across the region and beyond. I would love to see the people of the town and beyond really get behind this unique event to give visitors an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime.”

The presentations by 14-18 NOW - the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary - will give people across the UK the chance to experience the impact of the ceramic poppy sculptures, famously displayed at the Tower of London, in a range of places of particular First World War resonance. Southend-on-Sea was the scene of one of the first air-raids attacks on the UK, and the Garrison at Shoeburyness was home to the first Anti-Aircraft School and a test site for artillery guns shells used during WW1. In common with the rest of the country, many people from Southend-on-Sea also fought or acted as nursing staff, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.

• 08:45 – 12:45
• 12:15 – 16:15
• 16:00 – 19:00

If you would like to be part of this amazing, beautiful and thought provoking event please visit www.southend.gov.uk/poppies and fill in the online form, or call 01702 212251.