Representatives of all ages from the local community, in Farnborough Hampshire, joined staff and students at the Sixth Form College Farnborough to form the World’s largest human flower and break the Guinness World Record today, Friday 2 May 2014. The human poppy was formed of 2250 people including personnel from Aldershot Garrison to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and in support of the Royal British Legion.

Garrison Commander, Colonel Charlie Lambert and 75 soldiers from The Guards, Gurkhas and Military Police were joined on the day by representatives from the Royal British Legion, including Jim France, Area Manager for Hampshire and Dorset. Leaders from Rushmoor Borough Council including the Mayor, Councillor Terry Bridgeman, children from local schools and a local nursery, staff from local corporate organisations and representatives from charities which the College support, also helped form the Poppy.

Partners of The Community Matters Partnership Project kindly sponsored the event as well as giving up their time to take part.

Simon Jarvis, Principal at The Sixth Form College Farnborough said “The College was honoured to be able to host this record breaking event. We are delighted that so many staff and students from the College and members of the local community played their part in helping to establish a new World Record, raise funds for the Royal British Legion and commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War.”

Garrison Commander, Colonel Charlie Lambert said “We were delighted to support Farnborough 6th Form College in their world record breaking efforts to make the biggest human flower. What a fantastically thought provoking challenge. Today, this symbol of sacrifices and remembrance is directly linked back to Aldershot, the Home of the British Army from where Field Marshal Haig, then a General, deployed with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914. This world record breaking event will launch our own commemorations of the First World War in the lead up to Armed Forces Week and theAldershot Military Festival 23-29 June 2014; the theme of which is based on the contrast between 1914 and 2014, focusing on the positives learned over the intervening 100 years.”

Jim France, Area Manager at The Royal British Legion, said: “Well done to Sixth Form College Farnborough and AldershotGarrison for creating this new world record. We are thrilled the team chose to create a giant human poppy, especially in this poignant year as the nation commemorates the centenary of the First World War. We are also grateful to the generosity of local people in Farnborough who supported this event and gave donations to the Legion - the money raised will help us to continue providing practical support to serving personnel and veterans of all conflicts.” 

Donations towards the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal can be made by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/FSFCHumanPoppy