As Remembrance Day approaches, one shop in Barrow has put up an amazing display of poppies in honour of those who gave their lives.

The Co-op Funeralcare on Roose Road is showing its support for armed forces members who have died in the line of duty with a host of crocheted flowers.

(Image: Sam Silveri) Each woolen poppy has been lovingly handmade by Bernice Woodhouse, who is the mother of Sam Silveri, one of the funeral arrangers at the Barrow branch.

As well as a traditional wreath, the display includes a ballgown a soldier and a banner with the words ‘Lest we forget’.

The idea first started in 2020 when Sam was working at the Co-op Funeralcare in Ulverston.

“We were in Lockdown due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and had just lost my dad,” Sam said. “Mum and Dad had always been very patriotic and were strong supporters of the Royal British Legion.

“Mum enjoyed crocheting and found it helped her coming to terms with losing Dad.”

(Image: Sam Silveri) Inspired by the poppy display at the Tower of London and the display at Carlisle Castle, Bernice came up with the idea of creating a crocheted poppy waterfall from the window of the funeral home at Ulverston on the A590.

Sam said the initial display, four years ago, created a lot of interest, and so the following year the display was extended to include another waterfall from the window on the Cavendish Street side.

When her daughter moved to the Barrow branch a couple of years ago, Bernice created the ‘Lest we forget’ poppy banner to display outside the front of the shop.

(Image: Sam Silveri) Last year, one of Sam’s colleagues Mandi requested the poppy dress.

“Mum set to and created the beautiful poppy ballgown which can be seen displayed in our front window,” Sam said.

“This year, Albert the Soldier was at the request of our funeral director Heather. The soldier is created from Kaki coloured poppies and is sitting on a chair decorated with red crocheted poppies. He can be seen reading a letter from his beloved wife Irene.

(Image: Sam Silveri) “We get lots of people admiring the display as they walk past, although I have absolutely no idea how many poppies there are.

“The poppies are an amazing tribute to all those who gave their lives in all the wars to make our lives better,” Sam said. “I am immensely proud of what my mum has created.”

Barrow’s Co-op Funeral Care is also holding a coffee morning with a raffle and tombola in aid of The Royal British Legion from 9:30am to 2pm on Wednesday November 6.