West Mersea childminder turns beach litter into poppies

From the BBC news online.

A childminder has turned plastic litter found on a beach into poppy artwork for Remembrance Day.

Thira Lane, 47, from Mersea Island, Essex, has a passion for recycling and has previously created igloos and model seagulls from household waste.

Now she has used drinks bottles to create poppies to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.

She has been praised by Ofsted for her use of artwork to engage youngsters in her 14 years as a childminder.

Mums at West Mersea’s primary school have also taken up Ms Lane’s idea and are also turning the bottoms of plastic bottles into poppies for the Royal British Legion’s annual campaign.

Remembrance Day will be also be marked elsewhere on the island with displays including soldier silhouettes, known as “Tommies”, decorated with candles and crocheted poppies.

Ms Lane has also created seagulls from household waste that would otherwise be thrown away.