THANKS to Grayshott artist and philanthropist Phil Bates, a moving memorial to mark the 2018 centenary of the end of the Great War has been installed in St Christopher’s Church.

Phil drew up the design for a cross with 27 interwreathed poppies and donated the finished oak artwork.

It is the grand finale to the splendid 2018 commemorations mounted at the church by the Haslemere great War Centenary Project, including a new flagpole with gilded cross, dramatic poppy cascades from the tower and a flower festival.

Phil said: “I was pleased to be asked by Ken Griffiths to put forward a design for St Christopher’s Church. I was very aware the design of the cross had to be in keeping if possible with the Arts and Crafts interior, at the same time stating the significance of the poppy to people today.

“The bottom half of each poppy was painted in gold to complement other features in the church with the top half being painted the traditional red.

Each poppy was then fixed to the cross with a rounded metal stud.

“Hopefully it will be a permanent reminder for many years to come.”

Ken, who is project chairman, added: “Through the generosity of local residents, business and grant funding bodies, we raised a total of over £19,000.

“I think everyone would agree, Haslemere certainly punched above its weight as a small town in the various commemoration events that were held.

“A little-known fact, is that the poppies displayed at the St George’s Memorial Chapel in Ypres, were modelled on the cascade of poppies at St Christopher’s.

“In addition, our cascade also inspired a number of other towns around the country to do something similar.

“We also have a lasting legacy in the new flagpole that sits on top of the church tower, proudly displaying the original and restored Arts and Crafts cross that stood there when the church was opened in the early 1900s.

“It is a very fitting memorial to the fallen from Haslemere and the surrounding area.”