Honouring a Town That Never Forgets
Bedworth, Warwickshire, is known as the town that never forgets.
Since 1921, Armistice Day has been marked every year without fail — even during the Covid pandemic, when a limited service was held at 11 am on 11 November. Today, the tradition continues with a full parade and salute each year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Creating the First Poppy Installation for Bedworth
This year, Bedworth Belles WI has worked closely with the Armistice Day Committee and All Saints Church to create the town’s first large-scale poppy installation.
The striking poppy curtain hangs from the top of the church, cascading down over the side entrance in a powerful display of thousands of handmade poppies.
Earlier in the year, members were invited to knit or crochet poppies for inclusion. The appeal soon grew beyond the WI, with radio interviews and public calls for help to meet the original target of 8,000 poppies.
An Incredible Community Response
The response was overwhelming. Parcels arrived from across Warwickshire — and far beyond — filled with beautiful, handcrafted poppies.
More than 15,000 poppies were ultimately made for the project, including white poppies for peace and purple poppies to commemorate the animals that served and suffered during wartime.
The Armistice Committee provided the netting used for the cascade, and the Anchor Group of WIs — our neighbouring WIs — joined in enthusiastically. We also received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, ensuring that all materials could be safely and securely assembled.
Local schools, shops, and the library kindly hosted drop-off points, helping to collect poppies from contributors across the community.
“What began as a small idea has grown into a community landmark,” says Stephanie Morris of Bedworth Belles WI, who has been instrumental in driving the project forward.
Remembering Bedworth’s Wartime Women
Founded in 2020, Bedworth Belles WI is the town’s first Women’s Institute. From the outset, members wanted to honour the women of Bedworth who contributed to the war efforts — women whose courage and service are often overlooked in history.
Research uncovered 23 remarkable women from Bedworth who played vital roles during wartime. Their names and stories are featured in the Armistice Day programme and in displays at All Saints Church throughout November.
To commemorate their legacy, a giant poppy within the installation bears each of their names, lovingly embroidered as a lasting tribute.
Their Stories
Here is a glimpse into the lives of some of the women we are honouring:
Betty Ellen Woodward
Born in 1924 in Barry Island, Betty worked at SS Cars Ltd in Coventry, manufacturing parts for Spitfires, Lancasters, and other aircraft during WWII. She moved to Bedworth in 1984, where she still lives today.
Margaret Randle
Born in 1925 in Everton, Margaret joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service at just 14 and served as a telephonist in Glenridding, supporting army communications throughout the war.
Betty Glenn (nee Liggins)
A member of the Women’s Land Army, Betty worked on farms in Atherstone, tending animals and delivering milk during the war years. Known locally as “the lady with the hats”, she raised five children and remained active in the community until her passing in 2019.
Elsie Margaret Darby (nee Lloyd)
Born 1919 in Nuneaton, Elsie worked as a skilled seamstress before joining the team making Lancaster Bombers at Baginton. Despite several injuries, she continued her work with pride and precision, describing it as “work of real purpose.” She married Lesleon Darby from Bedworth in 1942.
Lilian Elizabeth Davis (nee Blundred)
Born 1915 in Bedworth, Lilian worked in a local munitions factory. Her granddaughter, Libby Holland, is a nurse who later released doves at an Armistice Day service in her honour.
Winnie Bloodworth
Born 1921, Winnie joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and served bravely as an electrician maintaining RAF aircraft. She passed away in 2024 aged 104, remembered fondly for her courage and stories of service.
Evelyn Bend (nee Nash)
At 15, Evelyn worked at White and Poppe in Coventry making shells for WWI. When the war ended, she received two letters on the same day — one thanking her, and one terminating her employment.
Ida Burton (nee Bend)
Evelyn’s eldest daughter, Ida, worked at Alfred Herbert Precision Engineering in Coventry, producing parts for the war effort before marrying and raising her family in Bedworth.
Gertrude Pauli (nee Shortridge)
A Red Cross volunteer during WWI, Gertrude trained as a nurse for gas-attack treatment. She married Belgian professor Eduard Pauli and continued her humanitarian work throughout her life.
Mary Ann Shortridge (nee Harthill)
Born 1851, Mary opened a café in her Coventry Road home and kept it running throughout WWI, providing meals for soldiers and townspeople alike.
(Additional biographies for all 23 women are available in the Armistice Day programme and on display at All Saints Church.)
Full Roll of Honour
Betty Ellen Woodward
Betty Glenn (nee Liggins)
Edith Harrison
Eileen Joan Berry
Elise Hurst
Elsie Brook (nee Thornton)
Elsie Margaret Darby (nee Lloyd)
Evelyn Bend
Gertrude Pauli (nee Shortridge)
Helen Roderick
Ida Burton
Ivy Place
Jean Farmer (nee Pratt)
Jean Retmanski
Jorce Nowasad
Lilian Elizabeth Davis (nee Blundred)
Lillian Ann Kitchen
Margaret Randle
Margaret Stowe (nee Brown)
Mary Ann Shortridge (nee Harthill)
Mary Brabon
Peggy Smith
Winnie Bloodworth
A Community United in Remembrance
We are incredibly proud of the Bedworth Belles WI for their creativity, commitment, and determination in bringing this project to life — and deeply grateful to the wider community for the enthusiasm, support, and encouragement that made it possible.
The Poppy Installation will remain on display throughout November at All Saints Church, Bedworth.
We invite everyone to visit, reflect, and remember the women and men who gave so much.
About The Bedworth Belles WI
Formed in 2020, Bedworth Belles WI is proud to be the first Women’s Institute in Bedworth.
Our mission is to celebrate community, creativity, and courage — honouring the women who came before us and inspiring those who follow.