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JLS star posts selfie with 'stunning' Remembrance display in Sandwich

14:47, 09 November 2018

updated: 14:55, 09 November 2018

A popstar who found fame on X Factor has admired a Kent Remembrance display in a selfie shared with fans.

JB Gill who makes up one quarter of boy band JLS shared the snap with his 113,000 followers on Instagram while filming in Sandwich on Wednesday.

The display which he described as stunning was put together by staff, clients and volunteers from the town's Age Concern centre.

The singer who is now works as a TV presenter and farmer posted: "Day three filming for @bbcone in the beautiful town of #Sandwich and stumbled across this beautiful #poppy horse made for remembrance day!

"Literally #stunning wonder if I can pick up a sandwich for my lunch too!"

Sara Kardamitsis with the display in Sandwich
Sara Kardamitsis with the display in Sandwich

Symbols of the First World War make up the striking feature on the Guildhall Forecourt.

Sara Kardamitsis who works in the charity's Sunflower Dementia Centre masterminded the display.

It includes a horse, soldier, dog and pigeon made from chicken wire.

Sara Kardamitsis also made a soldier out of chicken wire
Sara Kardamitsis also made a soldier out of chicken wire

She said: "I was quite shocked to learn that somebody famous had been bothered to take a picture with it.

"He said it was stunning. I just hope the rest of Sandwich feels the same."

Beneath the horse is a hundred crosses, one for each year since the signing of the Armistice.

The tree above is adorned with knitted poppies while white ribbons are tied to the trunk, representing each of the fallen soldiers from Sandwich.

Volunteers from Age Concern and designer Sara Kardamitsis with the Remembrance display. Picture: Paul Amos
Volunteers from Age Concern and designer Sara Kardamitsis with the Remembrance display. Picture: Paul Amos

Ms Kardamitsis had the idea for the display in February. She shared her vision with a colleague who instigated the delivery of a roll of chicken wire.

Once made, she hid the statues in the back cupboards at the centre.

It was kept a secret from most people until the display was erected on Monday. It will remain in place for a week.

She said: "I knew I wanted to do something bigger and better than previous years.

"We've had complements left, right and centre. Every time I walk past I see people admiring it or taking pictures.

"I couldn't have done it without the help of the people at the centre who made the poppies."

The eye-catching display on Sandwich Guildhall Forecourt Picture: Paul Amos
The eye-catching display on Sandwich Guildhall Forecourt Picture: Paul Amos

The Mayor of Sandwich Cllr Veronica Liote has also commended their efforts.

She said: “Once again the staff, volunteers and users of Age Concern Sandwich have done an absolutely fantastic job.

“So many people have stopped to appreciate this wonderful display.”

A dog is part of the design
A dog is part of the design
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