This morning, at 11am of the 11th day of November, I was able as Group Leader of the Liberal Democrats to lay a wreath at the memorial in Derbyshire County Hall in Matlock.
It is a privilege and an honour to do such a thing and so I asked permission - and it was granted by the Cvivi Chairman, Cllr Jean Wharmby - to lay a second wreath of purple poppies for the animals who serve in war.
The wreath comprises a wicker ring onto which I attached 28 hand made knitted, sewn and crocheted purple poppies made by friends, acquaintances and members of the public primarily from Derbyshire. I then surmounted this with a paper-mache horse painted purple.
It felt very special, very appropriate and very solemn and I am grateful to Jean for her support and understanding in enabling this.
And so we look to next year.
Somewhat sadly this act of inclusion, this act which reflects more of the whole story of war and conflict has been seen by some as provocative. They object to the purple poppies as a part of the formalities of remembrance. To those critics I say remembrance is for everyone in their own way and no-one person or organisation owns Armistice Day. Further, my laying of a purple poppy wreath, far from undermining the red poppies, adds depth and truth to the full scale of sacrifice and loss that past generations suffered.
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