THE ST.ALBAN'S POPPY CROSS

 As we are coming to the end of this blog's coverage of World War One with a especial Memorial Day post on Sunday, I thought it might be worth saying a few words about the St.Alban's Poppy Cross which is shown in pictures here and which will appear again in Sunday's post.  The Church of St.Alban the Martyr is one of the four Anglican churches in the Parish of Southend. I have attended the church since 1997 and have been Sacristan there for the last six years.  In addition to myself and my late partner Terry several other family members have attended the church for various services - even Susan and Jeff during their visit to England.  The Memorial Poppy Cross was designed by Terry about twelve years ago and has become a tradition in the church which has been carried on since her death - many people, including myself, refer to it as "Terry's Cross".  It hovers in the arch of the Rood Screen and has no visible means of support, seemingly just floating in mid-air. The first time you see it it can be quite startling - it certainly was for me. Although the cross is quite solid its ability to float in the air and to appear to change size depending on where you see it from(which you will see on Sunday)  is, of course, an optical illusion.