Seniors Services director and local knitters bring “Weeping Window” to Glenboro Legion
In a touching reflection of remembrance and gratitude, Senior Independent Services Coordinator Carol Marshall, joined by Elsie Pinkerton, Alice MacFarlane, and Linda Rankmore, has brought a scaled-down “Weeping Window” display to the local Legion, where it will be proudly showcased as the backdrop for the Remembrance Day celebrations.
The idea began thousands of kilometres away, when Marshall returned to her homeland of Scotland and visited the town of Stranraer. There, she came upon their “Weeping Window” display, a cascade of brilliant red poppies flowing from a historic building like tears for the fallen.
Each of the 13,000 poppies had been lovingly knitted or crocheted by Stranraer’s locals to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War in November 2018. As Carol stood before the installation in her homeland, she felt the weight of sacrifice and the quiet pride of remembrance held in every stitch and every bloom, each one symbolizing a life lost in service.
Stranraer’s tribute drew inspiration from the original installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, first displayed at the Tower of London in 2014. That powerful memorial featured 888,246 handcrafted ceramic poppies where each one represents a British or colonial life lost in the First World War. Now, Marshall and her group of dedicated local crafters have recreated that spirit on a much smaller, yet no less heartfelt, scale for our local Legion.
“The idea came to me after I returned home. I just couldn’t get that sight out of my head, and as we are always looking for meaningful activities, I thought, why not here?” said Marshall.
An active member of the Legion, she shared her vision with the local branch, which agreed to support the project and provide the necessary materials. The black felt backdrop for the bright red poppies was made by Linda Rankmore, and the 120 poppies affixed to it were knit by Alice McFarlane, Elsie Pinkerton and Carol Marshall.
In addition to their dedication to honouring veterans, Marshall and Pinkerton both carry a personal connection to the Armed Forces: Marshall’s son, Doug, has served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 22 years, and Pinkerton has a grandson who is also serving; and there are a large number of others serving who come from this area.
“I think it’s a fantastic way to perpetuate the memory of the veterans who have fallen and those who continue to serve our country. We would be proud to hang this at our local Legion 51 this Remembrance Day and the ones to follow,” said Branch President Steve Sloat.
Though modest in size, this Weeping Window carries the weight of generations, each stitch a quiet act of gratitude and remembrance. As the community gathers for Remembrance Day, the display offers a gentle reminder that honouring the fallen is not found only in grand monuments, but in the heartfelt efforts of everyday people determined to keep their memory alive.
PHOTO CAPTION: (l-r) Linda Rankmore, Carol Marshall, Alice MacFarlane and Elsie Pinkerton stand proudly in front of their handcrafted “Weeping Window” display created to honour our fallen veterans as well as promote annual poppy sales. The wall hanging can be viewed at the local Legion’s Friday night Chase-the-Ace, and it will be a featured backdrop at the Remembrance Day Service. PHOTO SUBMITTED
