Images helping to remember fallen soldiers

The power of the people has created something special in Toddington, just in time for the Remembrance Parade on Sunday.
Alan and Dave outside the CuckooAlan and Dave outside the Cuckoo
Alan and Dave outside the Cuckoo

Toddington’s Community Facebook page received a photo of a pub wall with images of World War 1 soldiers and a woman commented how nice it would be to have something similar in the village.

Dave Ward, one of the page administrators, said: “We had a tremendous response to the post with people asking why we could not do it.

“So Alan Higgs and I went about doing it.

Soldier and Poppy cut outs on the Cuckoo pub wall facing the Village GreenSoldier and Poppy cut outs on the Cuckoo pub wall facing the Village Green
Soldier and Poppy cut outs on the Cuckoo pub wall facing the Village Green

“We asked Household Estate Agents in Toddington to sponsor it and Ben Martin, of The Cuckoo pub, to facilitate it by allowing us to use his front wall.

“The soldiers stand eight feet tall and the presence has caused quite a stir in the village.

“We have already had over 12,000 views on the photo and a record number of likes on the post.”

The soldier cut out stickers were created by Dave and Alan and will remain on the wall for a couple of weeks after the parade.

Dave added: “The power of the people pushed for this to happen.

“We now have giant soldiers and poppies on the front wall of the Cuckoo facing into the Village Green.

“The community wanted this, they pushed for it and we have all worked together to make this happen.

“The cut outs will be on display for one of the largest remembrance parades in Bedfordshire.

“Cadets, Brownies, Scouts, former soldiers and many members of the community all join the march.

“It is quite poignant when a list of names is read out as it is all the people from the village that lost their lives fighting for their country.”

The parade starts at the Village Hall and they march to the Village Green where wreaths are laid by members of different community organisations.

For more information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/oehvh4e