MORE than 200 people volunteered as “Wave Makers” greeting thousands of visitors to the sculpture Poppies: Wave by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper at Shoebury’s Barge Pier, which is part of 14-18 NOW’s UK-wide tour.

Poppies: Wave has had more than 60,000 visitors, so the volunteers have been kept extremely busy.

They have been meeting and greeting visitors who have come to Shoebury to see the sculpture, including from as far afield as America as well as many other European countries.

The volunteers have all been given an induction and are covering a total of 210 four-hour shifts between them. They can sign up for as few or as many shifts as they like.

Julie Keen, 54, from Great Wakering signed up to help. She said: “I’ve enjoyed talking to people, listening to elderly people sharing their stories.

“It’s really peaceful here, it does make you really think about what the poppies mean.

“One thing really sticks out in my mind. There was a lovely couple, both in their 90s, who came to visit the poppies. They held hands and walked all the way up and back again to see the poppies. They were so nice. “

Fellow volunteer, Josephine Hughes, 54, from Shoebury, said: “As with any volunteering, you think you’d be giving but you end up receiving. It’s nice to meet people and enjoy the surroundings, too.

Volunteer Trevor Harp added: “It’s been lovely meeting people, being able to tell them about the history of the area. It’s amazing how many people know so little about it.”

Scott Dolling, director of culture, tourism and property at Southend Council, said: “Poppies: Wave has proved to be immensely popular,

“The success of these visits is thanks in no small part to the 200-plus group of dedicated and hardworking volunteers who are always on hand to meet and greet the visitors, answer any questions they might have or just be a friendly face for a chat.”