A carpet of poppies.

Each year we go to see the beautiful Packwood House, which now belongs to the National Trust, when it is decorated for Christmas season. 
This year the theme was Reflect and Remember, centred around the end of the First World War.
All around, the interior was carefully arranged with floral displays and Christmas trees. 
On the windowsills and in alcoves, as well as the separate rooms, like the drawing room, the long hall, and the dining room. 
In the kitchen there were activities for children, so they could make and decorate paper items to hang on a Christmas tree. 
The son of the family Gerald Baron Ash, returned  in 1918 from fighting in Flanders, after the Armistice and his parlour contained some of his personal effects including his case and papers. He inherited the house in 1925 after the death of his father. 
The house was first constructed between 1556 and 1560. 
There are knowledgeable volunteers in each room who helpfully answer any questions about the furniture to the history.    
One of the most moving rooms was one Graham Ash used as his "withdrawing" room, in the real sense of the word. Today it was beautifully and movingly decorated with a carpet of handmade poppies interlaced with lights. 
      A reminder and a reflection on the horror of WW1. Bizarrely we met three "elves" in the Long Hall. 
They were raising awareness for the Alzheimer's Society and today was named "Elf Day". It was an on-line campaign where people could donate.
I took their photo. They were cheerful souls! Made everyone smile!
Photos in extra.