Giant poppy painted above Southend High Street

A remembrance poppy artwork, to coincide with the one hundred year WW1 anniversary and Remembrance Day, has been painted on the side of a building next to the railway bridge in Southend High Street.

The striking image of two red poppies was created by Estuary Fringe with the help of local artist Scotty B, and funded by the Southend Business Improvement District.

BID Chair, Dawn Jeakings, explains why they funded the artwork: “A priority for the Southend BID is zero tolerance to graffiti, especially to the wall above the railway bridge. The BID has paid for the graffiti to be removed from this area on previous occasions however we wanted to provide a more visual and sustainable way of improving this focal point for the town centre.”

She added: “This poppy is a really poignant piece of street art in the month when we are all remembering those who have fallen.”

A local resident, Kim Legget, said: “What a beautiful piece of art. Well done to the artist. Remember all those who gave there lives past present and future.”

The poppies will stay in place above the railway bridge and High Street through November.