Cubs Complete Photographer Badge at Poppies: Wave

June 4, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

On Friday 19th May, the 3rd Thorpe Bay Cub pack went on a hike through Gunners Park, Shoeburyness to visit Poppies: Wave and to complete their photographer badge. All cubs successfully passed with flying colours after taking images of the poignant sculpture.

They had the opportunity to learn about the Poppies: Wave sculpture and the rich history of Gunners Park and its World War One connections by the wonderfully knowledgeable Poppy volunteers. They then worked their way around the site, taking in all the beautiful scenery of Gunners Park.

Poppies: Wave is on display at Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea until 25th June, as part of the UK-wide tour of the poppies organised by 14-18 NOW, the UK arts programme for the First World War centenary.

Scott Dolling, Director of Culture, Tourism and Property at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: “When we successfully bid to host Poppies: Wave, one of our main objectives was to give a sense of togetherness within the community, giving residents of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to take in the visual beauty the sculpture has to offer and to interpret it in personal ways thorough photography and artwork.

“Welcoming the 3rd Thorpe Bay Cub pack, as well as many other groups, is a real privilege for everyone involved. We hope this will lead to even more groups within the community visiting the sculpture before its last day on Sunday 25th June.”

Poppies: Wave has now had more than 60,000 visitors, with large numbers expected over the remainder of its time in the Borough.

Wave is one of two sculptures taken from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper. The installation was originally at HM Tower of London in 2014, where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one to honour every death in the British and Colonial forces of the First World War. The installation was by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces.

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 in a range of places of particular First World War resonance. Following the presentation at Barge Pier, Wave will be exhibited at CWGC Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth on 22 August to 19 November.