How Remembrance-themed art exhibition is uniting this Yorkshire community
An art exhibition themed on Remembrance and launched by 100-year-old D-Day veteran Arnold Walton has gone down a storm.
The historical walls of St John The Baptist in Penistone, near Barnsley, has been hosting Poppies With Purpose — a Penistone Arts Week fringe event which combines art, remembrance, music and community.
Running until November 14, it aims to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, while also supporting the restoration of St John’s 16th-century tower and clock.
But the event is about more than fundraising, say the organisers.
It is about remembering veterans and honouring current military personnel, celebrating peace – and proving just how much a creative community can achieve when it comes together.
The wider community has got involved with knitted and crafted poppies made by members of the public used to dress the church while town centre shops and businesses have been taking part in a competition for the best dressed shopfront.
Artists were given a free brief to interpret what remembrance means to them.
One of the key organisers, Joanne Molloy, said they’d sold £1,000 worth of artworks on the opening night.
They are happy to assist the church which has generously allowed them to use the space for free during Penistone Arts Week.
"It has just been incredible,” she said. “There are more than 45 actual makers and artists and not one piece is the same – it is just amazing.”
Joanne was about to become a partner in an estate agents when her back went and she became chronically ill. "I was bedridden for two years and housebound for six when I found art.
“Art was my saviour, but it can be so much more than that, art can be used to make a genuine difference.
"Art can make us stop, think, feel, and connect - but it can also raise money, raise awareness, and bring a community together.
"What began as a seed of an idea to help support veterans who I believe have been let down by our society, soon snowballed into this amazing event and I’ve been truly humbled by the support of Penistone as a whole.
“This isn’t just an art exhibition. It’s a community coming together and saying that remembrance matters, peace matters, our heritage matters.”
In 2007, lead was stolen from the Tudor roof of the medieval church. Temporary felt repairs failed over time, leading to water ingress that threatened the structure.
The church launched a major fundraising campaign aiming to raise £175,000 to repair and protect the roof with stainless steel.
"Now they have moved onto the tower and clock – it all needs repairing,” said Joanne.