LITTLE SUTTON was looking its best for Remembrance Sunday thanks to the efforts of the community.

The Royal British Legion Remembrance Sunday parade set off from the Little Sutton legion on Sunday, November 10, for a service at St Paul’s Church in Hooton, where wreaths were placed at the cenotaph.

At the heart of the preparations was Positive Action for Little Sutton (PALS), a community group set up to encourage community based action to improve the area.

Activities undertaken included a litter pick on Saturday, November 9, when the parade route was cleared of any litter.

Members of the Little Sutton Sapphires WI created crocheted poppy wreaths and crosses in the year leading up to Remembrance Sunday, which were displayed around St Paul’s, at the community centre and all along the A41.

The Little Sutton Sapphires also hosted a crafting day with PALS where all sorts of poppies were produced, alongside the popular painted stones that were hidden around the village.

Little Sutton Methodist Church was decorated for the occasion with an impressive cascade of poppies across the front of the building.

Local business owner Vicki Fogarty, owner of Devious Designs in Little Sutton, set up the Pop Up Poppy Paint Project 2019 with a mission of creating 50 permanent or cling film graffiti poppies in readiness for the Armistice Day parade.

Poppies started appearing in the village from early November, including a permanent poppy at Brookdale Garage in Ledsham Road, a piece of permanent art work at Alfie’s Wine Bar & Bistro and a cling film poppy at the Royal British Legion.

Children at Little Sutton C of E Primary School were excited to watch former Little Sutton Primary School pupil Vicki create a Banksy-inspired cling film poppy near to their entrance on Berwick Road.

The Little Sutton Primary School choir, dressed in poppy inspired red and black, performed readings and poems at the Remembrance Sunday service at St Paul’s.

Little Sutton Primary School held their own act of remembrance on the school playground on Armistice day, gathering together to hold a minute’s silence.

Businesses in Little Sutton also got involved with the preparations for the parade, creating special window displays.

Founder of PALS Stephen Hewitt said: “The village was looking better than ever for Remembrance Sunday and that is thanks to the time and effort of so many people.

"We had an incredible turnout for the litter pick the day before the parade on a really cold and wet day.

"Seeing the crowds line the streets for the Remembrance Sunday parade was fantastic, and I was proud of our community for pulling together to provide a fitting tribute on this important day.”

PALS are active in a number of village improvement projects in Little Sutton and Ellesmere Port, including the recent successful Ellesmere Port in Bloom bid.

Find out more about the work of PALS on their Facebook page.

Little Sutton C of E Primary School are holding an open day for reception 2020 on Thursday, November 21, at 10-11.30am.