The judging of the Ashby Poppy Appeal Best Dressed Window competition was carried out this morning by Ashby's Mayor Damilola Ojuri, Town Councillor Stuart Benson and Pete Edwards, organiser of the Ashby and District Poppy Appeal.

The three judges: Pete Edwards, Cllr Damilola Ojuri and Cllr Stuart Benson (Photo: Grace Kennington)

This is the first year the competition has been held, which, organised by Pete, hopes to bring together the community to mark Remembrance Day. Over forty shops took part, decorating their windows with poppies.

On 7 November, the three competition judges walking around Ashby Town Centre to view each window display, leaving them with an extremely difficult decision on who would be the winner.

Paddington and the WI Garden have been decorated with poppies to mark Remembrance Day (Photo: Grace Kennington)

After much deliberation, first place was awarded to Ivanhoe Social Club, who created a cascading display of poppies from upcycled plastic bottles, as well as joining forces with Holy Trinity Playgroup to decorate the fence.

Cascading poppies down a tree by Ivanhoe Social Club (Photo: Grace Kennington)

The plastic bottle display was created, painted and put together by Karen Deakin, adding more poppies each year since 2020. She initially started creating the display in lockdown when holding the Service of Remembrance was not possible and it has grown in size year-on-year.

Poppies by Holy Trinity Playgroup in the Ivanhoe Social Club display (Photo: Grace Kennington)

The judges loved how the display combined the work of the community with the nursery and the innovative use of the bottles which reminded Pete of the cascading display at the Tower of London.

Winners trophy presented to Ivanhoe Social Club (Photo: Ashby Town Council)

Window display at Churchill's Sweet Shop came in second place (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Second place was awarded to Churchill's Sweet Shop, with their display featuring the epitaph with miniature flags and soldiers surrounding it with a wreath and copy of the Flanders Field poem.

Shield and certificate presented to Churchill's (Photo: Ashby Town Council)

Cllr Damilola Ojuri described the display as 'magnificent' and 'beautifully done.'

Ashby Toolbox's Window came in third (Photo: Grace Kennington)

In third place was Ashby Toolbox, who's enormous display featured handmade poppies, large and small, wooden soldier cut outs and the phrase 'At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them' on proud display in front of the Union Jack flag.

Third place certificate and shield presented to Ashby Toolbox (Photo: Ashby Town Council)

Although these windows were the official winners, Ashby Nub News would like to give special mentions to the following displays: Stretton Bikes, Christian Rose Violins, Natural Hounds and the beautiful WI Garden with Paddington.

Stretton Bikes' Wheels of Remembrance display (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Stretton Bikes took the bike theme of their window and did a display based on the Army Cyclist Corp, including archived photos and a cross outlined with poppies that said 'Wheels of Remembrance.'

Christian Rose Violins' window featuring his father and grandfather's medals (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Christian Rose Violins, another near winner, featured the medals from Christian's father and grandfather in the window. His dad fought in World War Two, called up at the age of 23 in 1940. The display also included one of the original poppies that were displayed at the Tower of London.

'It is important to pay my respect,' said Christian, who usually keeps the medals on his wall at home.

Natural Hounds in Rushton's Yard's red and purple poppy display (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Natural Hounds on Rushton's Yard in Ashby also took a unique take on the window, featuring purple poppies alongside the red ones. Purple poppies are used to recognise the animals, including dogs, horses and carrier pigeons, who have served in all conflicts.

Judges also recognised how many displays featured artwork from local schools, play groups and nurseries, with Pete saying 'it's great that they have got children involved. They will be the next generation to carry on Remembrance and it's important they learn about it.'

Zamani's included work from Ashby Castle Day Nurseries (Photo: Grace Kennington)

The Lamb's window featured work from Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils from Woodcote Primary School (Photo: Grace Kennington)

After viewing all the windows, Cllr Stuart Benson said: 'Thank you for the outstanding effort from everyone who got involved, everyone would be a winner if we could.'

Pete also said: 'It has been great to see so many businesses get involved, hopefully more will join in next year.'

The trophy and shields for first, second and third place from the Poppy Appeal (Photo: Grace Kennington)

The judges will be presenting the winners with a trophy, as well as shields for second and third place and all shops that got involved will get a certificate of participation.