Remember Poppy Day

Music By Olly Wedgwood | Lyrics & Poem by Chris Grace | Poppy Art By Teresa Scannella

Remembering The Many Who Have Fought Or Died In The Wars & Those Affected By Their Sacrifices

Please Observe Two Minutes Silence at 11am on Armistice Day (11th November) or on Remembrance Sunday

 
 
 

How The Remember Poppy Day Project Started

Chris Grace tells us how he was inspired to write the poem which started the Remember Poppy Day project
“I was admiring the beautiful poppy field painting by Teresa Scannella (which is being sold as part of this project to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society) on the Surrey Artists website and it made me think more deeply about the sacrifices of those who fought in the war
Having watched the superb Battle of Britain programmes on TV showing the courage of just some of the many people who fought in the wars, it made me feel guilty that I rarely remember to stop for the 2 minutes silence and respect.
Remembrance Day Poem & Song
Writers of Remember Poppy Day
Olly Wedgwood (Music) & Chris Grace (Lyrics)
That's partly through being so busy yourself, but also a change in habits and environment. If eveyone else is also busy and rushing around, they often don't stop, and in most cases you do the same.
In the past, radio stations on all channels would stop to announce and observe the 2 minutes silence, which was a useful reminder.
What is a minute or two of our lives compared to the years they gave? That inspired me to write the first part of the poem; "
   
  I remember when I was young
a strange day in a crowded town
everyone rushing and then a bell
people stood like statues and silence fell
  Buses halted, although planes still flew
Factories stopped and offices too
And then I heard my Mother say
Remember, this is Poppy Day
  We all live such hectic lives these days
As we rush around and round
forgetting it’s poppy day,
and forgetting those so still in the ground
  So take a minute of your life to remember
a minute's so much less than the years
of their lives, they gave for me and you
and remember the survivors and their tears
  (this is a short extract)
A recent interest in Family Tree programmes like ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ gave Chris the ideas for the part about the survivors and for other verses. “The programmes made me realise that so many men didn’t speak of the past, often due to their awful experiences. So it occurred to me that although we have a day to remember the dead, they aren’t the only victims. The survivors are victims too and they should be in our thoughts.
The final thread of the poem is about the families and friends of those killed or injured. They need to be able to move on with their lives and be happy”.
 
  But then after all the sad moments,
remember to be happy
It's what they would have wanted for us
when they died for you and for me
For 4 years Chris has been a fan of two very talented Surrey singers and songwriters, Olly & Sam Wedgwood. "They are both world class but not well known, because they never had the break their talents deserve". If you’ve ever had a piano lesson, the chances are you learnt from a piano book by their mother, Pam Wedgwood (sales of over half a million books), Their father Denis was Principal Cornet in the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for 9 years. With both parents being talented musicians, Olly & Sam started playing a multitude of instruments to the highest level from a young age,
So Chris could not have teamed up with better musicians.
Remembrance Day Song- Musicians
Olly Wedgwood  & Sam Wedgwood
“I've been working with both brothers recently with their separate acts. Everyone who hears their music is so impressed.
I was delighted when Olly was moved by the poem and wanted us to release it as a single.
Olly’s intricate but delicate piano playing and passionate and sensitive vocals are so appropriate. Further emotion and drama is added by the superb saxophone of Georgi Bartlett, who Chris recommended after hearing her performances with Elmbridge Big Band and Choir, of which he is a member. Backing vocals are provided by Sam Wedgwood, who for well over a year toured the world’s major arenas with Jamie Cullum as guitarist, vocalist and trumpeter”.
"It's been an emotional roller coaster, since the poem and song are very moving and the subject of wartime loss is, of course, still so real for many families today. On the other side of the emotions is the pleasure from working with such great artists and musicians who have become good friends. I would be delighted if this helps Olly & Sam get some of the recognition they deserve. They really are two of the most talented singers and musicians in the country".
"The video can be viewed on this website. You can also see the video on YouTube by searching for 'Olly Wedgwood Poppy Day' I hope you like it - please give it the thumbs up on Youtube and let your friends know.
But most of all, on 11th November, preferably at 11am, please take two minutes of your life to remember."
 
The Single Is Available Here | See The Video | The Full Poem | The Poppy Art

Charities Supported

The Poppy Appeal (Music)
Alzheimer's Society (Art & Cards)
Remembrance Day Song - Remember Poppy Day
  Home Page & Video
  Remember Poppy Day Single
  Listen or Download
  Other Olly Wedgwood Music & Videos
  Article - About The Project
  How You Can Help
  Poem - Full Length
  Song Lyrics
  Art Prints & Cards
  Poppy Appeal Prize Draw
  Educational Resources
  Official RBL Poppy Appeal Song for 2014:
'No Man's Land (Green Fields Of France) - Joss Stone
  Official RBL Poppy Appeal Song for 2013: 'The Call' - The Poppy Girls
  Other Remembrance Day Poems / Songs
  Events
  Debate & Forum
  Sam Wedgwood
  Georgi Bartlett
  Photos
  Contact Us
 
The First Two Minute Silence in London (11 November 1919) was reported in the Manchester Guardian on 12 November 1919:
After writing the poem, I found this account on Wikipedia of the first two minute silence and it brings to life the first passage of the poem, although in an era pre-modern technology;
"The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect. The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition.
Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern.
Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all".
 
Poppy Cross Memorial - Remembrance Day
Photos courtesy of Rachael Talibart
Remembrance Memorial - Royal Air Force Runneymede Surrey UK
    Music - Listen & Download
 
 

The Remember Poppy Day Team

  Left to right:
  Olly Wedgwood
writer - music, piano, vocals
  Georgi Bartlett
saxophone
  Chris Grace
writer - poem & lyrics, website
  Teresa Scannella
artist - poppy fields painting
  Sam Wedgwood
backing vocals & various instruments
  Rachael Talibart
photographer (this side of the lens!)
 

Remember Poppy Day

 
Contact Us    email:  info@remember-poppy-day.com  Tel from the UK:  01483 771 345
Tel from outside the UK:  +44 1483 771 345
 

Music By Olly Wedgwood | Lyrics & Poem by Chris Grace | Poppy Art By Teresa Scannella

 
Optional Additional Charity Donation   Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - Fundraising Page
If you would like to make an additional contribution, we have set up a fundraising page for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. To donate, click on the image on the right.  
 
www.remember-poppy-day.com

Please Observe Two Minutes Silence at 11am on Armistice Day (11th November) or on Remembrance Sunday


 
 
Official Facebook page for Remember Poppy Day
 
Woking Alzheimer's Sociaety Charity Donation
£400 raised for
Alzheimer's Society
 
Live Radio Appearances
Please note: since these BBC Radio appearances, the proportion to the charities has been raised to 100% of profits to Poppy Apeal for all Music and 50% on Art & Cards to Alzheimer's Society
BBC Radio Surrey - Guildford
104FM | 104.6 FM
Hear a recording
of Chris live on
BBC Radio Surrey
& BBC Radio Sussex
Chris was live from the Guildford studios as a
main feature
discussing the Remember Poppy Day Project
Also the Sarah Gorrell Show
BBC Radio Sussex
95.3FM | 104.5FM | 104.8FM | DAB
 
November 11 Remember Poppy Day on Ukranian TV Inter - main News Programme
International TV
Olly was filmed by Inter, the leading Ukranian TV Channel for broadcast on their peak news programmes on November 11th (up to 40 million viewers)
See Ukranian TV
News Coverage
Remember Poppy Day on Ukranian TV Channel Inter
Remembrance Day 11th November
 
Hear a recording
of Olly live on
BBC 3 Counties Radio
BBC Radio Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire
95.5FM | 103.8 FM | 1045FM
Olly was live from the Luton studios as a main feature
and also had another
Radio interview with
BBC Radio Milton Keynes
 
 
 
Follow Poppy Day UK on Twitter
 
Some of your comments
"Really lovely and moving , well done!"
Alison Davey

“I looked at the website and after listening to the song and seeing the photos I was filled with such emotion that I am still crying now as I write this email.
You have done an incredible job putting this together and I really do feel privileged to be part of it. I wish everyone huge success.”
Teresa Scannella
Woking Surrey

"Love the song and lyrics "
Linda Stone
Hinchley Wood, Surrey

 

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Alzheimer's Society Charity supported by Art & Card Sales
   
   
   
   

Website development by all about Weybridge     Art by Surrey Artist Teresa Scanella