A COUNCILLOR has removed a display of poppies in his local village amid claims what started as a nice gesture has turned into a ‘hate campaign’ by a handful of residents. 

A team from the Peasedown Community Trust, which is led by councillors Gavin Heathcote and Karen Walker, placed large poppies throughout the village to help mark Remembrance Day in the area.

But stickers bearing the logo of the trust have been placed on the front of the poppies, which prompted anger among some and claims of ‘disrespect’ in a community page on social media. 

As of Tuesday, November 5, the poppies which had been placed around the centre of Peasedown, on Bath Road, Ashgrove and Orchard Way on Saturday, October 20, have been removed.

Councillor Gavin Heathcote said: “I have removed the poppies because what started as a nice gesture by the team has turned into a hate campaign by a few residents. I cannot allow these unprovoked attacks to continue, so I have taken away the catalysts for this behaviour.

“I will not be placing any more poppies throughout the village. I refuse to do things that some residents will use as a tool to be verbally abusive towards the team. I am sorry it has come to this, but abuse towards the team will not be tolerated.”

The Peasedown Community Trust has organised the poppy displays for Remembrance Day for the past five years, funding the initiative from their own resources.

The decision to take down the poppies has since further divided opinion.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It’s disappointing to see the poppies being used to promote their own agenda, especially during such a significant event in our history.”

Another resident said: “If you want to claim credit for the poppies, put the stickers on the back or put a sign near where they are placed. it is totally disrespectful.”

The poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance for those who lost their lives in conflicts, particularly since the First World War. Each year, communities across the country come together to honour the fallen, making poppy displays which serve as a poignant reminder of sacrifice and loss.

Cllr Karen Walker, a member of the trust and also the chairwoman of B&NES Council, said: “We organise for these poppies to be put up through the centre of Peasedown St John each year to remember the sacrifice our village’s war heroes have made.”