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Projected poppies fill cathedral nave

Katy LewisBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Toby Shepheard Pictures of red poppies and green leaves are projected on to the walls and ceiling of the nave of St Albans Cathedral.Toby Shepheard
Poppy Fields has been created by Peter Walker, in collaboration with projection company Luxmuralis

A projection of poppies has filled the nave of St Albans Cathedral ahead of Remembrance Day.

Poppy Fields, a light and sound installation, has been created by the artist and sculptor Peter Walker in collaboration with projection company Luxmuralis.

It includes the names of local soldiers who served in the Armed Forces.

The cathedral said it allowed its "sacred space" to "become a place of shared reflection, memory and hope".

Toby Shepheard Larger poppy shapes in red, pink and purple are projected on to the walls and ceiling of the nave of St Albans Cathedral.Toby Shepheard
The light and sound installation uses images projected on to the cathedral walls

St Albans Cathedral is built on the site where Alban, Britain's first saint and martyr, was buried 1,700 years ago and is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain.

At 85m (278.9ft), it also has the longest nave in England.

The installation, which is projected on to the cathedral's ancient interior, is accompanied by a so-called "sound artwork".

The names of local people, who died in all conflicts while serving in Britain's Armed Forces, appear on one wall.

Members of the public were invited to submit names and short tributes ahead of the display, to create a memorial to reflect stories of bravery and resilience not only in the world wars but in more recent conflicts as well.

Toby Shepheard Larger poppy shapes in red, pink and purple are projected on to the walls and ceiling of the nave of St Albans Cathedral.Toby Shepheard
The cathedral said the art invites us to "pause, honouring those who have died, remembering places of conflict today, and praying and working for peace and reconciliation"

The Reverend Kevin Walton, who is Canon chancellor, said Poppy Fields was a "moving and powerful light and sound installation".

"Within the beauty of its form lies a profound reminder of love, courage, and loss," he said.

"Here in St Albans Cathedral, the imagery of the poppy is woven with light, colour, and music, evoking memory and hope.

"It invites us to pause: honouring those who have died, remembering places of conflict today, and praying and working for peace and reconciliation."

Poppy Fields can be seen at St Albans Cathedral until Saturday.

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