London Blue Badge Tourist Guides are involved in a truly unique art installation to commemorate the start of the First World War.  More than 800,000 ceramic poppies – each representing a British and Colonial military death during the First World War – are being planted in the Tower of London’s dry moat.  When completed on Armistice Day on 11 November 2014, the art installation, titled ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, will include 888,246 poppies.

Blue Badge Guides will be part of a team installing the poppies on July 26th and August 1st.  As the poppies are installed throughout the summer, they will encircle the Tower, creating an evocative display visible from all sides of the landmark as well as an inspiring setting for learning activities related to the First World War.  The installation will be officially unveiled on 5 August and will continue to grow until Armistice Day, 11 November 2014.   The poppies are being sold throughout the installation and the net proceeds will go to selected military service charities.

London Blue Badge guide, Eve Milner commented: “Blue Badge tourist guides are proud to play our part each day in interpreting the history of the Tower of London for its many visitors. I am delighted that Blue Badge guides – and other members of the public – are being given this unique opportunity to engage even more directly and physically with this extraordinary part of our heritage. It is very exciting for us to be able to support Historic Royal Palace’s moving initiative to commemorate the First World War.”

If you would like to volunteer and assist with planting poppies, visit the Tower of London website.

Tower of London: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation. Photo: ©Tina Engstrom.

London Blue Badge Tourist Guides helping with Tower of London: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation. Photo: ©Tina Engstrom.

Tower of London: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation. Photo: ©Tina Engstrom.

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