A RETIRING garrison commander has been given a fitting tribute for his work in the community and the chance to join in with an historic fundraiser.
Catterick Garrison chief Col Stephen Padgett joined students from Risedale Sports and Community College and pupils from Hipswell Primary School, next door, making ceramic poppies for the British Legion.
More than 600 of the planned 1,000 poppies have been created by students, which will form a sea of colour in the college quad, a North Yorkshire version of that seen at the Tower of London.
Col Padgett, who has been chair of governors at Risedale for a number of years, was invited to join Year 3 and 4 Hipswell Primary School pupils at college as they made poppies for the inspirational act of remembrance.
But before he started work on his own poppy he was presented with a beautiful example sitting atop an oak plinth commemorating his work with the college.
“It’s absolutely lovely and I will treasure it,” he said. “I will remember many things about my time at Catterick Garrison and one of the most delightful things will be everyone at Risedale.
“I have been very impressed with everyone at the school and have been in awe of their dedication and commitment as they strive to give young people a future.”
The college’s service children advocate Helen Porritt said: “As commander he has done so much for us at Risedale so we thought it would be a nice idea to present him with a special poppy to remember us.”
Col Padgett was shown how to create a clay poppy by Mrs Porritt. His also sported a tiny caterpillar crawling across the petal.
The prototype was developed by school ceramicist Sheila Plews and service children advocate Ewan Thomson, who is also painting and constructing them.
Pupils from The Dales School, Mowbray School and Hunton and Arrathorne Primary have also been invited to help with the installation.
Attached to copper stalks the poppies will be planted in the quad from November 9 in time for Remembrance Day on November 11.
Each flower will be unique, carry a serial number, some a poignant inscription, and be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, before being sold for £5 each in aid of the Royal British Legion.
The annual Poppy Appeal raises about £43m leaving the Royal British Legion in need of support all year round.
Almost half of Risedale’s students are from service families with another 25 per cent ex-service families. Many others live and work on the garrison, soon to be the largest in Northern Europe.
Anyone interested in securing a poppy should contact helen.porritt@risedale.org.uk.
