This year, 2026, marks the 105th anniversary of the dedication of the St Chad's Cathedral War Memorial (below), which captures the names of 221 men who bravely fought and sadly died either during or shortly after WWI.

Every year Karla Lowes, Education Visits Co-ordinator, decorates the crypt for school visits so children can pray for the men. 

This year the aim is to decorate the cathedral with a poppy cascade, made from knitted or crocheted poppies, for display throughout November.

Bev Lewis, a member of the Friends of the Cathedral, has been researching the men named in the Book of Remembrance and has found some photographs of them, which will also be displayed, along with some of the original relics donated by the families of the men at the time of the original dedication. 

If you have a relative named in the cathedral Book of Remembrance and have any photographs to share, please consider them for display. Contact Bev via email: [email protected]

Can you help us create the cascade by knitting or crocheting a poppy? Colours to include are white, black, purple and red.

You can use your own pattern or one of the patterns from the Royal British Legion:

Crochet poppies

Knit poppies

Completed poppies can be dropped off at Cathedral House reception. The deadline for contributions is Wednesday 30 September.