Last Saturday we went to the Tower of London to view the much heralded installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, commemorating one hundred years since the start of the First World War.
This extraordinary art work by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, in collaboration with stage designer Tom Piper, has captured our nation’s imagination and as we emerged from the underground station at Tower Hill it was apparent that we would not be alone. The place was heaving but well organised, good natured and almost quiet. As we stood on the steps gazing at the spectacle I was able to take a few snaps which I later edited to remove the tops of people’s heads in front of me. During the summer and until today, 888,246 ceramic poppies have been planted in the moat – each one commemorating a British life lost in the conflict. Now complete, hardly a blade of grass can be seen between this ceramic sea of red: it’s a wonderful yet sobering sight.
The poppies were sold, raising millions of pounds for British service charities, and will later be distributed to their owners once the installation is removed. Originally it was due to be dismantled the day after Armistice Day on 11th November but it’s now rumoured that because of unprecedented public interest part of the display will remain until the end of the month.
Later on the same day, once home and in front of the television, we watched the annual Remembrance Service from the Royal Albert Hall in London. Included this year was a folk song, written and sung by Jim Radford, a veteran of the D-Day landings. Jim was a fifteen year old galley boy on 6th June 1944. His song is a poignant reminder of the terrible events of that day seventy years ago which helped to turn the tide of war. It sums up the whole theme of remembrance and is well worth a listen, if you can spare seven minutes.
charactersfromthekitchen 
Well. I did indeed watch all minutes. I I’m too choked up to speak now. Besides, after that, I have nothing to add. Thanks, Jenny, that was well worth listening to.
Ah, thanks for watching Tracy – bit of a tear jerker, wasn’t it?
I made it to The Tower and the poppies late one Saturday night on my second attempt to get anywhere near. It was worth the effort. At nine o’clock on a balmy October night it was still very busy but I had a good view. The atmosphere was calm and respectful. It was a very moving experience and I am so glad I went.
That’s how we felt. We thought at first we wouldn’t get anywhere near enough to take any photographs but people were pretty good natured and we were able to wriggle through eventually. Certainly a sight to behold.
Oh Jenny, I’m so pleased to read here that the poppies will remain until the end of the month, hubby and I have been hoping to get across to London but just couldn’t pull it off, so now will make sure to do so. Can’t miss this can we? You and I are on the same thoughts today…watched the Armistice Day services today and the 2 minute silence. Beautiful, beautiful song..thanks for bringing it to us…lest we forget…
Well, it means you’ll have a day out in London which is always a good thing! The announcements on the underground advise passengers visiting the poppies to alight at Monument Station and walk but we stayed on until Tower Hill and it was fine (everyone else had obeyed orders!!).
We observed the two minute silence at school today and I was impressed with the class I was with that they were so respectful of it.
Thanks for that Jenny, I’ll bear that in mind and tell Hubby! I really do hope we can go. A day out in London is always wonderful. We used to go a lot in ‘the early days’…
How wonderful…warms the heart that, really does…
Very poignant and heart-felt song. Thank you for posting it.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.
When I saw a story on the news about the poppies at the Tower of London, I thought about you, Jenny. It’s such a wonderful commemoration. Thank you for sharing Jim’s song…it’s beautiful
Ah, thanks Jill. I’m glad you liked the song.
I had no idea it would look as vast as that, and so red too. Thanks for the picture.
It was a bit weird having a silence in the office today, but on the Sunday, I always like to listen to the radio and get into the space of thinking back and appreciating.
I think it’s good to observe the two minutes (it’s not long, is it?). All our classes were halted just before 11 this morning for the students to stand still and consider. They were, on the whole, very good. Sadly the history teacher I was supporting at the time didn’t think to include a mention of the Armistice in her lesson … on the First World War. Talk about missing a trick and teaching to the test. Unbelievable. I’m still cross about it now. My students were brilliant, though.
I don’t think she’d have a brilliant career in PR.
She hasn’t got a brilliant career in teaching …
Figures
My brother and his wife went to see the poppies, they also remarked on how orderly and quiet the crowds were.
What an amazing and sobering project.
Lovely photographs Jenny.
I’m so glad we made the effort to go – we don’t normally gravitate towards massive crowds but it really was well worth it.
Those poppies are so lovely. All together like that. What a sweet concept!
It certainly is thought provoking – one ceramic poppy for every life lost …
I feel I have missed out on the poppies at the Tower. It took me 53 years to get to the Tower of London and I went the wrong year! Seriously, it is an amazing sight and very poignant; especially today. I am a little unnerved about the vision of a red river in the moat but only because I have a phobia of blood! I did observe the 2 minutes silence, even though I was working on my own but I think it is important. I can’t believe your history teacher; no wonder you are annoyed. I took the 7 minutes to listen to the song and thought it was very moving, especially as the man who wrote and sang it was actually there on those beaches; that’s amazing.
I think the poppies are staying till the end of the month now, so maybe you’ll get the chance …
It’s lovely you observed the silence on your own, I know my son does that and he works by himself. It is important, you’re right.
Yes, please don’t remind me of the history teacher – I really feel like saying something. Grr!
I thought Jim Radford was remarkable – he must be at least eighty five. Amazing!
On PBS the commentator said a section of the poppies would travel to Arlington Natl. Cemetery to be “planted” in a special section, but it didn’t give details.
This is a wonderful post, Jenny, and a poignant reminder.
Oh that’s good – I hadn’t heard that – I’ll try and find out about it. Thanks, Marylin.
Jenny, I had forgotten how the poppy is a symbol of Armistice Day. How lucky you were to see this incredible artwork and tribute to the poor soldiers who shed so much blood on your land. We escaped the war actually taking place in the USA (both wars, actually). But you didn’t. Nice post. Thank you.
Yes, we all wear paper poppies in the week leading up to 11th November so these ceramic ones are an extension of that. They have all been purchased individually by members of the public so millions of pounds for war related charities. When the installation finally comes down, the poppies will be sent out to their “owners.”
How nice. What an installation. Brilliant!
What a sobering visual in that moat. They ought to consider making it a permanent exhibit. Or at least for the next year to commemorate the 100th anniversary. Thanks for sharing – it’s fascinating to know what happens around the world on 11/11.
Wouldn’t that be a good idea, Gwen? Considering it took until the 11th of November to complete the art work – and I know that was symbolic- it seems such a shame that it will be gone by the end of the month.
I am feeling somber with the large number of deaths commemorated by all those lovely ceramic/glass poppies. We have poppies given for wars, when someone sells them, my Dad used to put one in the lapel of his suit. We usually are giving donations to veterans. I am excited about the new art exhibit, so wonderful and beautiful, Jenny. You are lucky to have this extraordinary display of artwork at such a historic landmark site. Thank you for sharing this meaningful time of year for your country. Good to be reminded…
Thanks, Robin. I didn’t realise you had poppies in the States too. We all wear paper poppies on our lapels, bought by donating to a veterans charity. Each year at the Remembrance service at the Albert Hall, thousands of poppies float down onto the heads of the people gathered there – one for every life lost.
I’m sorry this comment has been delayed. Thanks for the image … I had read about the innovative installation but had never seen an image of it. It’s really nice (photographically, that is). What a brilliant combined vision Cummins and Piper had .. brilliant .. powerful .. beautiful .. thoughtful .. and all on a grand scale. I listened to the video and caught the brief mention that Radford was a folk singer … no wonder he was able to muster the strength to get up, in front of so many people, and sing such a sorrowful song which was so very close to him. That too was brilliant, powerful, beautiful, and thoughtful. You know … some remembrances of this sort just leave me flat … others really do have an impact … this one did (the Vietnam memorial in Washington DC is was another). Thanks for the image and the song – both much appreciated. No matter how many times one hears of the horrors … it’s still something those who have not experienced it directly can ever really imagine. How many times do we have to experience these horrible events to finally decide that war simply isn’t worth the horror and the cost? D
Thank you for your comments – I know what you mean about some remembrances feeling flat – the sincerity isn’t there – but Poppy Day does have its own significance, it has been observed here for years and latterly has become even more poignant with the loss of troops in Afghanistan. In this, the centenary of WW1, it is good that art can capture the hearts and imagination of a country – I’m pleased to say that millions of people have been to view the installation at the Tower of London.
Glad and sad. Jim sums it up best. His song broke my heart – again.
He was great, wasn’t he? I think he stole the show.
I would have liked to have seen the poppies Jenny, I think it’s a very powerful installation, thanks for taking me on the journey with you.
You’re welcome anytime, Andrea. I see you are taking a break to hibernate for a while. Enjoy, be creative and hope to see you on the other side …
How gorgeous and powerful those red poppies are. A significant reminder of the tremendous cost of war. Jenny, it’s wonderful that the sale of the poppies will be used to support British service charities. Thank you for sharing Jim Radford’s song about the D-Day landing. I wept as he sang. Beautiful and so very sad.
Hi Judy, thanks for watching and reading. I thought Jim’s song was well worth a post.
I was there..quite inspiring. It is representing men and women of many nationalities who died fighting in the British military forces in ww1, with up to 50,000 being Irish. I am thrilled that I will own one of these beautiful ceramic poppies when the installation is dismantled. To have been there was such a privilege. Thank you fir the lovely post.
You’re welcome – thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It is much appreciated.
What a proud performance by Jim that was. Not an ounce of self-pity or tears, just an eloquent request that we always remember his fallen comrades.
I do believe that these remembrances are gathering strength each year, not diminishing, notwithstanding this year’s anniversary.
Yes I think you’re right, Roy. At last there are memorials being put in place for people lost in the first world war and to an extent, we are teaching our pupils about the horror and impact of it.
I agree with your comment about Jim, too. I thought he was inspirational.
Wow! Spectacular.
Thanks, Renee.
That is a truly beautiful song. It’s sung to the same tune of “Raglan Road,” another of my favourites. Remembrance day was celebrated with an especial reverence here in Canada, in light of the two murders of our servicemen on our own land. It was a beautiful day here in St. John’s and I was proud to join in with many thousands who gathered at the National War Memorial (Canada has two, one in Ottawa and one here since we were a sovereign state when we built it).
You may recall that I already shared the very beautiful “Normandy in Newfoundland” with you earlier but perhaps I can take this time to share my favourite Remembrance Day song of all. I’m sure you know it well, it was written by Scot/Australian Eric Bogle and has been covered by so, so many. Tommy Flemming does my favourite version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VGp4EMLC48
I do remember well the Normandy in Newfoundland song, Maurice, it was lovely. Thanks for this latest link – another heartfelt song. As Roy mentions, above, these ceremonies seem to be increasing year on year in their importance and solemnity – which is a good thing.
I so wish that I could have seen this installation. It was impressive on tv, so the real thing must have been incredibly moving.