Lots of crochet poppies have been placed around Paphos recently, each containing snippets of a poem. They are the latest creations of Kelly Dean, and thanks to her mother, Sharon, they have been bringing much needed smiles to the local residents.

We think their story needs to be told, but before we do that, let's take a closer look at those poppies.

Each of the poppies has a tag attached, containing a snippet from a poem written by Sharon's husband, Pete. He is an author and a poet:

This is what a typical crochet looks like. We were originally alerted to them when Sharon made a post about them on our facebook group Paphos Chat.

We were intrigued, and when Sharon posted an update about the poppies, we decided to write this article. In Sharon's own words, this is what happened:

We live in the uk. We have a house here in Mesogi.

My daughter, Kelly works for a London ambulance transport company in a London borough. She was furloughed through lack of outpatients appointments. She filled some of her time by learning to crochet more intricate things than blankets and squares.

She was leaving these Random Acts of Crochet Kindness all around our local areas. (Hillingdon)

The feedback she got was amazing. So many people were uplifted by finding flowers, rainbows, hearts, animal faces etc with a little poem on them during lockdown and beyond. Many people have posted on local groups as well as the original fb one.

Kelly, my husband Pete and I came out to Paphos on 7th September ( Kelly had to go home in October). She left me loads of bits to distribute for her.

Pete and I have had our flights changed several times. Then yesterday it was cancelled altogether! We have decided to stay here ( there’s not much at home to rush for! Can’t see grandkids , stuck in under lockdown and horrible weather! lol)

I decided to continue with her theme of leaving crochet items. Remembrance poppies have been left by harbour, lighthouse paths , outside shops and restaurants.

Pete is an author and poet and wrote a remembrance poem which I have put part of on the cards.

Peter Dean Books-Poems.

What started in Hillingdon continued in Paphos. People began posting about finding crochet items on Paphos Chat. The tags attached contain a number of messages. Back to Sharon:

The label read:

I’m not lost, just alone.

If I make you smile-

Please take me home.

Then we usually put a link to relevant local fb page.

Sometimes an uplifting quote.

People have found them after their dog has died, after hospital appointment or wandering to change direction in life!

Some have them hanging from their car mirrors and some said they are going to put them on their Christmas-trees