Massive maize poppy marks 100th anniversary of the First World War

A Lake District visitor attraction has planted a rather large poppy, measuring 150 metres by 175 metres, to mark the anniversary of the start of the First World War.

The Lakeland Maize Maze, at Sedgwick near Kendal in Cumbria, has made the poppy emblem its design for 2014, carving out the intricacy of the poppy’s petals in a maize crop that is currently growing ready for opening on July 19.

The maze will open at a time of year that marked the most crucial developments in the First World War’s timeline. The conflict began when Austria declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914, but became full-blown on August 3, 1914, when Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium. Britain then declared war on Germany the following day.

The Lakeland Maize Maze has chosen this design in respect for the soldiers who lost their lives in this conflict and who continue to make sacrifices for their country to this day. The attraction was the Maize Maze of the Year in both 2011 and 2013 and expects over 18,000 visitors to walk through its poppy design this year.

Families will be able to enjoy freedom and fun in the maze, as well as the other things on offer at Lakeland Maze Farm Park.

Owner, Graham Wadsworth, says: “Our poppy design is the most poignant we have had as the theme for our maze and we hope that families will reflect on the sacrifices made by great-great grandparents and other relatives who perhaps fought in World War 1.”

For more information, opening times and admission charges, visit lakelandmaze.co.uk.