In the heart of Aldershot’s Manor Gardens, a delicate silk poppy stood illuminated on VE Day, telling stories not often heard. Nearby, a new flame was lit — the Rushmoor Beacon, a striking steel structure that now stands as a civic landmark and a lasting tribute to the borough’s identity, military history, and shared future.
Together, The Poppies Blow installation and the beacon became more than commemorative gestures — they became acts of belonging.
Commissioned by Nutkhut and supported by Rushmoor Borough Council, The Poppies Blow is an installation inspired by the wartime poem In Flanders Fields. The artwork featured a large, glowing silk poppy.
Simmy Gupta, co- Artistic director of Nutkhut said:
“We were overwhelmed by the public’s response, people from every part of the borough came and shared their stories. It became a living space of reflection and connection — especially for those who often feel invisible in remembrance culture.”
Over 500 people engaged with the event. Many described the experience as moving, meditative, and overdue.
As night fell on VE Day, the newly constructed Rushmoor Beacon was lit in a moving ceremony that drew a crowd of residents, veterans, and civic leaders. The beacon, was welcomed as a new symbol of identity and inclusion for the borough.
Cllr Sophie Porter, Deputy Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, captured the mood:
“We are proud to be building a beacon that serves as a focal point for bringing our communities together. The Rushmoor Beacon is a fantastic initiative that embodies the values of unity, heritage, and community.”
The design of the beacon itself is rich with meaning. The Hampshire Rose reminds visitors of their place in the wider county, while the borough’s coat of arms — featuring crossed swords, the Astral Crown, and a key — reflects Aldershot and Farnborough’s close ties to the Army, their aviation history, and their technological innovation.
“Rushmoor’s identity is built on strength, service, and innovation,” said Cllr Porter. “We now have a landmark that physically reflects that history and welcomes everyone into it.”
For Nutkhut, whose practice often centres around memory, community, and shared heritage, The Poppies Blow installation was a natural fit. The illuminated poppy, with petals batiked and dyed by hand, sat at the heart of a multi-sensory space.
“It was healing,” said Kelsey a local teacher. “My children saw remembrance as something alive, not just something in textbooks. They saw that the past includes them too.”
The installation also created new pathways for participation. From local schools and youth groups to underrepresented veterans and new residents, the project actively sought to engage those often excluded from commemorative events.
The beacon and the poppy installation weren’t separate efforts, but complementary symbols. Where the poppy offered a moment of personal reflection, the beacon declared a collective intent — to remember together, publicly and proudly.
“This beacon will serve as a lasting tribute to our Armed Forces and a space for all residents to gather,” added a Council spokesperson. “Thanks to the Community Recovery Fund, it will support civic gatherings and celebrations for generations to come.”
As the crowd dispersed on VE Day, a quiet sense of solidarity remained in the air. A flower had spoken. A flame had been lit. A borough had been seen — in its fullness, complexity, and strength.
One young visitor said:
“I came to remember my great grandfather. I left having heard his voice through memory. That felt like peace.”