'Community heroes' put up their own poppies in Derby suburb after councillors 'fail to listen to residents'

People living in a Derby suburb who are fed-up with not having poppies on their lampposts to commemorate Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day have taken the matter into their own hands to make sure that the events this weekend are marked.

Remembrance Sunday is today Sunday (November 10) and Armistice Day tomorrow (November 11) but some residents do not think the two events to remember the dead from two World Wars and other conflicts since 1945 are being marked properly in Littleover and Blagreaves because of a lack of poppies for the second year running. Especially as, in comparison, poppies are adorning lampposts in other city suburbs such as Chaddesden, Mickleover, Oakwood and Allestree.

In response, Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa (Blagreaves) confirmed some poppies have been put up by Balfour Beatty, on behalf of Derby City Council, in Blagreaves ward this year. The former Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner admitted there are not as many as he would have liked, but added that councillors were advised by the council "that we could not put them up ourselves."

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Dawn Gee, of Carlisle Against Crime community group, said that last year residents of Littleover and Blagreaves Ward were saddened and "extremely disappointed that Derby city councillors failed to put up poppies in the local area", which was previously well-covered every year across both wards.

She said: "Carlisle Against Crime community group purchased 24 poppies, which they have installed themselves on Carlisle Avenue. In addition to this Carlisle Against Crime has also fundraised and purchased two soldier silhouettes, which are located in their community garden.

"When challenged, local councillors gave health and safety reasons as the excuse for not putting up poppies previously purchased with neighbourhood board funding. They told residents that Balfour Beatty contractors were the only people authorised to install poppies on the lamp posts. It was noted that other ward councillors across the city had chosen respect over rule and themselves put up plenty of poppies across their wards."

Mrs Gee said that the issue was raised again this year to ensure that the same thing did not happen. She said: "Local councillors ensured residents' poppies would be installed along Blagreaves Lane and Stenson Road, which has been historically covered the full length in poppies.

"Unfortunately, Blagreaves councillors have once again failed to understand how the public feel and just 15 poppies have been observed across the ward with a small section of nine on Blagreaves Lane, which is approximately one mile long.

"Why is it that councillors in Chaddesden, Mickleover, Oakwood, Allestree and other wards have managed to carry out the installation of poppies yet Blagreaves and Littleover village have failed to listen to residents and show respect once again."

But one Littleover man is not letting the situation affect what he does about Remembrance. Jason Toon, of Hillsway, has handmade cardboard poppies and put them up in around the village.

Mr Toon, who runs the Facebook page Everything Sherwood Foresters, wants to ensure that the importance of Remembrance events is not forgotten and has also put a silhouette soldier on the front of his house. He also placed a couple of poppies near to St Peter's Church, where the war memorial is situated.

Ashley Waterhouse, chair of Derby Civic Society, helped him to put up the poppies and said: "Mr Toon is a community hero. When we put them near the war memorial, there was not even one poppy in sight. They are all community heroes".

Last year, the situation flared up after a Derby City Council email was sent to all city councillors which advised them "not to undertake this work yourselves or to encourage residents to do so”. The email says: “Consideration must be given to height clearance, appropriate fixings, electrical safety, personal protective equipment and working at height”. It says that any such fittings require approval first from the council’s street lighting partner Balfour Beatty.

It adds: "Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to enter a high-speed road to attach decorations to street furniture” and that the e-mail is provided “in order that we (Derby City Council) can ensure any such proposals are agreed upfront and undertaken in a safe way with our partner (Balfour Beatty Living Places)."

Derbyshire Live has contacted all six Littleover and Blagreaves councillors to ask them if they wish to comment on the situation.

Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa (Blagreaves) said: "We have had poppies put up by Balfour Beatty in Blagreaves ward this year. They are not as many as we would have liked and were requested to be put up by Balfour Beatty. We were advised that we could not put them up ourselves.

"Carlisle Against Crime usually put their own up. We have been in touch and liaised with Dawn Gee and we agreed they would put them up in their neighbourhood and we would get Balfour Beatty to put them in other parts of the ward."