The Poppy Trail

How did it start?

The Poppy Trail is the work of HEY Workshops and in 2020 the PATT Foundation & One Hull of a Forest (OHOF) team are joining the partnership to extend the trail to East Hull. Working with OHOF and their Green Task Force of veterans we will expand the trail to East Hull, in particular Holderness Road.

The aim of the installation is three fold, 1) to create a temporary change in the environment, so often we walk and drive the same route and on longer see what is around us. Think about your journey into work, can you remember it? By creating change with public art we enable the communities to start to engage with their environment and become aware. With previous installations this has lead to collective action. The first one hundred poppies made in 2018, lead to the community fundraising to replace the bench that the poppies were wrapped around 2) To commemorate those that have fallen in the defence of our country. Previous installations have been well received by the public and I have witnessed, myself people explaining to children why the poppies are there 3) Offering the communities of Hull a chance to get creative, learn new skills, be social (safely) and be part of something that creates a sense of pride. There are many levels of involvement, therefore anyone can get involved safely, and say they were part of creating the trail. HEY Workshops is a not-for-profit organisation that works with communities to create public art, and creative opportunities. HEY Workshops started the Poppy Trail in 2018 by working with a local business of Hessle Road to create a small installation of 100 poppies to commemorate the centenary. In 2019, working with the volunteers of GStA, and installation of over 700 poppies was created and display on the Western Library and local business of Hessle Road. The communities of Hessle Road loved the poppies and wanted it to expand. The partnership with PATT and expanding the trail to Holderness Road has resulted in development of Hull Poppy Trail 2020

You can view a short video on the 2019 trail here: https://www.facebook.com/HEYWorkshops/videos/446728086302110 What is the Poppy Trail? The poppy trail is a series of nets covered in poppies that will be wrapped around the trees on Hessle Road and Holderness road The poppies are made by the community, volunteers and local schools that wish to take part. These can be made from any materials but will need to be attached to a net and be flexible to wrap around a tree. Were possible we recommend to reduce, reuse and recycle materials but to create a poppy that is strong enough to be reused each year as the poppy trail grows This year we will create a Google map with each tree/area on the map that allows anyone with a smartphone to follow the map, live and visit the trees. The map will also be printable and a small amount of printed maps will be available in local businesses. This year if we want to offer the chance for the communities of Hull to create their own poppy tree if they want to create it in their own area. Just register with the trail and your tree will be recorded on the map. How can you get involved? Makers We need lots of poppies and these can be knitted, crocheted, sewn, glued or make from recycled materials but they need to be able to be attached to a net that can be wrapped around a tree Volunteers .

This team will attach the poppies to the nets, install them, take them down and store that nets safely until the next installation Donations/Sponsors We need resources or funds to enable the trail to expand and offer opportunities for volunteers and workshops.

This can be via donations of resources, funds or sponsorship Our Tree This year if we want to offer the chance for the communities of Hull to create their own poppy tree if they want to create it in their own area.

Just register with the trail and your tree will be recorded on the map.

HEY Workshops has created online tutorials videos and live feeds on their Facebook page www.Facebook.com/heyworkshops that will be scheduled over the lead up to the installation date. You can find a pattern to crochet a poppy here: https://www.facebook.com/HEYWorkshops/photos/a.462811327122973/4470119043058828/

A video on how to make it here: https://www.facebook.com/HEYWorkshops/videos/408329133664881