Students from a sixth form college in Hampshire, UK have set a new Guinness World Record title for largest human flower to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the First World War.

Representatives of all ages from the local community joined staff and students at the Sixth Form College Farnborough to form a poppy – the symbol for remembrance of war dead – to set the record this afternoon. 

The human poppy was formed of 2,250 people wearing coloured waterproof ponchos, including personnel from Aldershot Garrison to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of the First World War and in support of the Royal British Legion.

The group remained in formation for the required five minutes and beat the previous human flower record by 60 people, which was set by University Church of England Academy (UK) in Cheshire, UK in 2012.

Among those taking part were 75 soldiers from The Guards, Gurkhas and Military along with representatives from the Royal British Legion.

Everyone who took part in the record attempt donated money to the Royal British Legion’s charitable fund, with thousands of pounds expected to have been raised.

Christine Eustace, director of community engagement at the college, said: "It was community effort, with people aged from 0-90 involved and all parts of the community represented.

"We just nicked the record in the end. It was amazing. When we got it there was a huge, huge scream."

Donations towards the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal can be made by visiting

Posted by Editor on 17:16. Filed under history . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0