What started off as a thoughtful gesture has turned into an annual tradition in Bradford's downtown core every Remembrance Day.
For seven years, Bradford resident and volunteer Francine Grenon made a point to create and distribute hundreds of handmade poppy-themed 'Thank You' signs to be displayed in local storefront windows ahead of the annual Remembrance Day parade in Bradford.
After a shoulder injury two years ago that prevented her from making the signs, Grenon asked Ward 7 councillor Peter Dykie to carry on the tradition for her, which is something he is proud and happy to do.
Since 2020, he and his employees at his downtown jewellery store have been purchasing white bristol boards and blacl markers, spending hours creating the signs and distributing them to shops on Holland Street.
This year, Dykie had some extra help from Ward 2 Councillor Jonathan Scott and Ward 6 councillor-elect Nickolas Harper to help deliver the signs.
The trio were out Thursday afternoon hand delivering the signs to local businesses.
The first store they stopped into was Dutch Treats, which was recently taken over by resident Mardy Broks this past spring.
"There's something fitting about going to the Dutch store first because of the liberation of Holland in World War II," noted Scott.
Brooks was happy to receive a sign and proudly placed it in his front window. Hanging near the front entrance of the shop is also photo which was given to Broks by a customer of a war ship leaving Rotterdam in the Netherlands in 1951.
The councillors continued their journey down Holland Street, dropping off a total of 14 signs to local businesses on Thursday. This was the first time Harper joined in the tradition and as an Afghanistan combat veteran, he is appreciative of the efforts being made to honour veterans on Remembrance Day.
He made a point to pop into The Flower Merchant on Thursday to sponsor the Afghanistan wreath which he will lay at the Bradford Legion's cenotaph after the parade on Sunday.
"What a great opportunity to represent all the veterans that fought there," he said.
The Remembrance Day parade will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.
The parade will start at Holland Street and Collings Avenue and travel west on Holland before making its way south down Bingham Street toward the Bradford Legion at 115 Back St.
"I hope to see a lot of people come out," said Dykie.
Following the parade, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony.
A Remembrance Day service will also be held a the Bradford Legion at 115 Back St. on Friday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
