The installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at the Tower of London of ceramic poppies representing First World War fatalities has proved extremely popular with the public, so much so that campaigns have been launched to keep it in place for longer so that more people can view it.  The artists’ original idea was that the poppies should be removed on 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the War.  

However, the London Evening Standard is leading a campaign to extend the display.  This campaign has, the Standard of 10 November reported, gained the support of the Prime Minister, David Cameron, who said ‘The extraordinary poppy display at the Tower of London has caught the imagination of people across Britain and it was a privilege to visit on Saturday with my family.  I would like to congratulate the Evening Standard for leading a powerful campaign to ensure that there was a lasting legacy from this poignant display will now be saved for the nation at the newly refurbished Imperial War Museum.’  Before the saved parts of the installation reach the Imperial War Museum they will be taken on a three-year tour of the United Kingdom.

The situation is complicated in that the poppies have already been sold to members of the public to raise funds for Service charities and some 8,000 volunteers are awaiting the go ahead  to remove the poppies and dispatch them to the buyers.

Photographs taken 10 November 2014.