A SPECTACULAR ‘warhorse’, the centrepiece of Lyonshall’s Armistice commemorations, is looking for a new home.

The enormous horse’s head, measuring more than six feet in height, crafted in willow and festooned with poppies, formed a backdrop to Lyonshall Memorial Hall’s salute to those men from the village who perished in the Great War.

After captivating hundreds of visitors coming to the hall, it has been decided to sell the horse to the highest bidder. Made by hall committee member Suzanne Hughes, the creation which took 50 hours to make is open to offers with the proceeds going to the hall fund.

Chairman Kathy Thompson and secretary Pat Addis organised the event at the hall, which bears the names, addresses and regiments of local men who died. With her artistic zeal, Suzanne and other members brought the hall alive with stunning poppy displays.

During the past four years, church bells at Lyonshall have tolled to mark the centenary of each man’s death. On November 28, there will be a tribute to the last of the village’s fallen.

“The event was Kathy’s idea,” said Suzanne, “as chairman she felt we should do something.” The committee “banded ideas around” and as Suzanne had completed a willow course, it was agreed that she should craft a ‘warhorse’ for Lyonshall.

“We’ve decided that the horse should be sold and that money raised from the sale will go towards refurbishment of the hall,” said Suzanne. Offers were made during the weekend. “It would be nice if it stayed within the county,” she added.

She said there would be no “issues of transport” for the buyer, as her husband, Martin, would deliver it.

Anyone interested in buying the horse should call 07980 644824.