Eastleigh Bandstand begins to turn red with poppies
The first poppies have started to turn Eastleigh Bandstand red. The Council and Royal British Legion have, for the first time in its history, now decorated this iconic local landmark with poppies leading up to Remembrance Day.
It is hoped that all local people will provide a very visual show of support ahead of this years Remembrance and Armistice days as they will not be able to attend Remembrance parades and services.
Some people have already started to add their poppies to the railings of the bandstand as the community of Eastleigh has the opportunity to come together to show their support in these very difficult times. The bandstand is just a few metres away from the War Memorial and in a normal year it hosts the band and the bugler who plays the last post as part of the ceremony. So hopefully everyone will help turn the bandstand red and it can provide a fitting focus for Remembrance this year.
The Council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Tina Campbell said, “In these extraordinary times this is the first time the bandstand has been used in this unique way and we are encouraging local people and organisations to, this week, help turn the bandstand red with a sea of poppies. They can abide by social distancing rules and go along anytime before Remembrance to tie their homemade or bought poppies around the railings of the bandstand to remember their loved ones. In this way, we hope they can be there in spirit on Remembrance Day and at the same time we can collectively send a strong and positive message that, despite the current restrictions and lack of services, we can show our support in a very visual way to honour the sacrifices that our armed forces and civilians have made.”
If you would like to show your support, don't forget to bring along something to tie your poppy to the bandstand railings.