Barton Grange chose the anniversary of the start of WW1 as the theme for their annual School Growing Competition.

To coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the start of the First World War, they provided local schools with wild poppy seeds to sow and grow in their school grounds. Barton Grange also provided the schools with a giant 3D poppy and sunflower to decorate. Cutomers have been voting for their favourites from the entries displayed in the garden centre.


At Bicester Avenue Wyevale Garden Centre, David Crabbe, local Royal British Legion Branch Secretary, had 100 days of growth (one day for every year since the start of WW1) ceremonially removed in public at the WW1 Centenary Commemoration event.  

David had been growing his head and facial hair as a sponsored event in support of the RBL Poppy Appeal 2013/14.  The final day of his torture was Saturday 2 August 2014.

Skylark Garden Centre in Cambridgeshire, annually have a Maize Maze, this year the design is will based around the First World War and they have also sowed Poppies in a giant Poppy design, which may be a world record.

This year the profit that they make from the sale of the map of the Maze will be donated to the Royal British Legion.  See more pictures in the itv news website: 

http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/update/2014-08-08/is-this-the-worlds-largest-poppy/ 



At Thurrock Garden Centre a special commemorative entrance display was created with the Royal British Legion Standard Flag displayed in the shop and people with collecting tins, collecting money on behalf of the Royal British Legion. 

Customers were also treated to a restaurant special for the day with Ham, Egg and Chips for only £3.99.

See more photos from Thurrock Garden Centre below.