Display created in memory of war hero Bill, 93
A group of artistic care home residents have come up with a touching tribute to Second World War hero from Mid-Wales by making cascades of giant poppies in his memory.
Bill Evans, 93, from Kerry, near Newtown fought his way through Europe and helped liberate Brussels, however he died on Monday, October 15, after a short illness at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
He was a popular resident at Pendine Park’s Gwern Alyn care home and two years ago unveiled a “weeping wall” of poppies outside the Penybryn care home in time for Remembrance Sunday.
This year the poppy displays will be sited outside several of Pendine Park’s care homes as a way of commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
The residents making the poppies, some of which measure 18 inches across, are also dedicating them to Bill.
Pendine Park artist in residence Sarah Edwards came up with the idea of the poppy displays after her art class residents said how much they had enjoyed making forget-me-not flowers which were used to decorate St Asaph Cathedral during the recent North Wales International Music Festival.
She said: “The theme of the music festival was all about reflecting on the Great War which is particularly poignant this year as it’s the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
"Residents made forget-me-not flowers out of card which they painted and then filled with a collage of images from the First World War.
“Residents really enjoyed making the flowers and took real pride in what they accomplished. It was residents who asked if we could do something similar to commemorate Remembrance Sunday this year.
“After we started the project sadly Bill Evans passed away so we are also dedicating the displays to his memory. It seemed right and proper that we did so taking into account what Bill went through during the Second World War.”
