THE centenary of the First World War will be marked with fields of poppies - and people in Walkden plan to commemorate the anniversary by scattering thousands of poppy seeds.

The seeds will be planted by neighbours, volunteers, schoolchildren, churches and Scouts and a family day will be held on Sunday, July 27, at Parfold Park — the day before the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War in 1914 — with a period fancy dress theme.

Other plans include a theatre group performing for young school children.

Members of the Walkden Community (WC) Facebook group came up with the idea, Sarah McCaffrey, aged 39, of WC, said: “We got the idea from the Royal British Legion, who are doing a similar event in Kent. We put it on our Facebook page and the idea and project just snowballed.”

At a meeting to discuss the plans, WC volunteer Annie Surtees added: “We like the memorial at Parr Fold Park for the main site. We can have a patch near the college, and other potential sites could be at the front of Blackleach Country Park. Blackleach volunteers could get involved.”

Other sites could include the East Lancashire Road, churches and the grass near advertisement boards. It is planned to scatter the seeds on March 23, so they will flower in July.

Walkden Conservative Cllr Iain Lindley, a member of Friends of Walkden Station (FOWS), said he would have a word with FOWS about planting poppy seeds at the train station.

So far, the group has amassed 2,200 packets of poppy seeds, and are looking at obtaining 300 tree saplings.

They have raised £350, but are still accepting donations to fund the theatre group’s performance.

Janet O’Shaughnessy, aged 45, of WC, said: “First and foremost it’s for the other projects like the theatre school, who are performing for the children. The remainder will go to the Royal British Legion.”

People can make donations by cheque to “Walkden Rotary Club”, 76 Peel Park Crescent, Worsley, Manchester, M38 0BU, writing on the back of cheque “For poppy event”.

The next public meeting about the project is at Walkden Gateway on Thursday, November 21, at 7pm.