Poppies: Weeping Window at Caernarfon Castle

Caernarfon Castle was the first location in Wales to host the famous Poppies: Weeping Windowinstallation which had first been seen at the Tower of London in 2014. The sculpture cascade of thousands of handmade red ceramic poppies flowing from the top of the castle’s Watch Tower to the ground below created a dramatic visual display which attracted large crowds. Over 120,000 people visited Caernarfon Castle during October and November 2016 to view the installation, which was a joint initiative between 14‑18 NOW, Cadw, Welsh Centre for International Affairs, the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, and Cymru’n CofioWales Remembers 1914‑1918.

While the Weeping Window installation was on show at the Castle, the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum established a temporary Memorial Garden with the help of the local Comrades Association in aid of the British Legion. Over £57,000 was raised for the Poppy Appeal with over 11,000 wooden poppy crosses laid representing peoples from 53 countries from around the world as well as from all major religions and non-believers. The Garden was opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd to coincide with the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum’s Mametz Exhibition and commemoration events. Shirley Williams, Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum Education Officer said: ‘Having the Weeping Window here in Caernarfon has been amazing. It is an incredibly powerful symbol of Remembrance and has made a big impact on visitors, the community and the school groups I have run related activities for in the Castle.’ Find out more: www.1418now.org.uk/commissions/poppies/about/

Right: Poppies: Weeping Window by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper – Caernarfon Castle © 14-18 NOW