More than 30,000 handmade poppies created for Durham Markets’ tribute to fallen DLI soldiers

A community remembrance project launched by Durham Markets has inspired people across the UK to make more than 30,000 knitted and crocheted poppies – almost twice its original target.

The campaign began in late April of this year with a wish to bring people together to honour the 16,386 soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) who lost their lives during the two World Wars.

The aim was to create one handmade poppy for every soldier who died.

From Friday 30 October 2026, all 16,386 poppies will form a tribute hanging at the entrances to Durham Market Hall, welcoming visitors to pause, reflect, and remember.

The date was picked to coincide with Durham Markets Uniformed Services Day in the Market Place, where, alongside the various services taking part, all three arms of the military and the British Legion will be present.

The response to the appeal has spread well beyond Durham. Individual knitters and crocheters, alongside craft groups, have contributed thousands of poppies, turning a local idea into a united act of remembrance involving people from across the country.

Volunteers have also helped prepare the display by attaching the handmade flowers to netting, ready for installation. Among those helping out was local resident Joan Hetherington, who came into Durham Market Hall most days over eight weeks to hand-tie thousands of individual poppies, and members of 234 (City of Durham) Squadron ATC, who attached approximately 700 poppies during a two-hour session.

With more than 30,000 poppies made in total, the tribute will now go beyond the Market Hall. The Light and The Story will use most of the additional poppies to create their own installations honouring the fallen DLI soldiers.

Both venues will acknowledge Durham Markets as the project's originator, linking the separate displays through the community effort that made them possible.

Durham Markets thanks everyone who knitted or crocheted a poppy, encouraged others to take part, or helped prepare the installations. Each contribution has helped create a tribute which reflects both the scale of the loss and the strength of a community coming together to remember.