A FORMER Army Captain has paid tribute to 100 years of Remembrance with a moving window display tribute at a Chester bridal shop.

Brides of Chester has created a poignant Remembrance window display in their bridal shop on Northgate Row in Chester city centre.

The Remembrance window display depicts a bride-to-be whose groom did not return from war.

The two-window display features a celebration of a soldier returning home with a wedding dress covered in poppies next to a military uniform, which was previously worn by Brides of Chester Owner, Roddy Park, during his time as a Captain in the Army.

 

In contrast, the other window features a solitary female figure dressed in a long-sleeved, black bridal gown, depicting a young bride who lost her husband-to-be in the war.

Roddy said: “I was in the army for 24 years before my wife and I started the bridal business and most of my family were, and still are, involved in the military. Every year, Remembrance Sunday is a day that’s very close to our hearts.

“For the 100-year Remembrance memorial we wanted to create a display that would make people stop and really think about the young men who did not return. My wife, Yvonne, came up with the idea and we both thought it would be a fitting way to pay our respects.”

 

Roddy joined the Army in 1980 and worked his way up from a Private to a Captain during his 24-year career.

He then left the military in 2003 to start a bridal business with his wife.

Brides of Chester has now been operating in Chester city centre for six years and has helped hundreds of young brides find their perfect wedding dress.

Yvonne said: “On the 100-year Remembrance, all of us at Brides of Chester felt that we should spend time thinking of the young brides who never got their special day.”

The Poppy Dress has over 1,000 poppies, which have been made by Brides of Chester Seamstresses, Hannah Ozeerkhane and Paula Budd using recycled buttons and material.

Members of the public are invited to observe the Remembrance tribute window which will be displayed in the window of Brides of Chester until Monday, November 12.