Engineering staff and students at TyneMet College have successfully raised £735 for the Royal British Legion through a unique project that transformed genuine First World War-era materials into handcrafted remembrance poppies.
The project is being led by Engineering Lecturer and veteran, Keith Barlow, and involves students from the T Level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing as well as the Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations programmes. Together, they are using original pennies from the First World War period alongside spent .303 cartridge cases, the ammunition famously used in the Lee-Enfield rifle throughout both World Wars, to create striking commemorative poppies.
Each poppy is carefully handcrafted, with petals formed from historic pennies and the centre created from the base of a .303 cartridge case. The pieces are carefully soldered together before being finished with a black resin-coated back, providing a strong, durable bond and a smooth professional appearance.
The design reflects the iconic remembrance poppy while showcasing the precision, creativity and craftsmanship developed through engineering education. As well as helping students develop practical manufacturing skills, the project aims to connect engineering with history and remembrance, encouraging donations to a worthy cause.
The poppies are being sold for £5 each, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, staff and students have already raised an impressive £735 for the charity.
Keith Barlow said:
Each poppy tells a story personal to each family. By using genuine period pennies and spent .303 shell cases, we're giving historic materials a new purpose while helping people remember the sacrifices made by previous generations.
He added:
As an Engineering Lecturer and Veteran, I wanted to create something meaningful using practical skills taught at college. Every poppy is individually handmade, and any additional donations beyond the guide price will be gratefully received and help us raise even more money.
The initiative not only honours those who served but also demonstrates how engineering skills can be applied creatively to support charitable causes. By repurposing historic materials into lasting symbols of remembrance, students are gaining valuable hands-on experience while making a meaningful contribution to the Royal British Legion.
The project highlights the talent and dedication of TyneMet College’s engineering students, proving that engineering can play a powerful role in preserving history, supporting communities and keeping the spirit of remembrance alive for future generations.
To visit the fundraiser, click here: https://royalbritishlegion.enthuse.com/pf/keith-barlow?fbclid=IwY2xjawVhQzBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHyE774Gqsc5MUJgmfegsPHBFjt7SM3rKdAqURPvZP9UsDTIYcUfLdKHeOohM_aem_vrTKcH
TyneMet College offers a range of Engineering courses from Level 1 through to Higher Education, discover more about courses here.
