Royal British Legion Southwell, Bleasby and Lowdham branch launches annual Poppy Appeal ahead of Remembrance Sunday
From this weekend, collections will begin for a town’s annual Poppy Appeal.
The Southwell, Bleasby and Lowdham branch of the Royal British Legion launched its appeal on Tuesday morning, accompanied by the Dean of Southwell The Very Rev Nicola Sullivan and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Geoffrey Bond.
This year the campaign is focused on service, branch secretary Robert Beckett explained.
He said: “This year the emphasis is on service, service to the community and service to the British Legion.
“Most importantly the service to the legion not only supports armed forces personnel but their families too.
“The appeal will enable them to support and give service to those who have given so much of their life in conflicts across the world, not just World War Two.”
The branch will hold a stall in front of Southwell’s Co-op store, and have collection buckets in the Post Office and Handicentre, both on Queen Street.
On Saturday, November 4 and November 11, Army Cadets will be out and about in the town with collection buckets.
The Rotary Club is also supporting the appeal with a number of volunteers set to assist legion members in selling the poppies.
Robert Beckett added: “Our members are getting less and less for obvious reasons, the Rotary Club give a fantastic support to the branch.
“What with our members and the rotary members we are all set for a good start.”
Last year the town’s appeal raised around £8,000.
The appeal runs for a fortnight before Remembrance Sunday, when a parade and service is held across the town.
It begins with a gathering of uniformed groups and the public on the Burgage, where the legion branch will organise the laying of approximately 15 wreaths.
A minute silence will be held at 11am, followed by a parade to Southwell Minster where a short service will be held and poppies will fall from the Cathedral roof.
A further wreath laying will be held at War Memorial Recreation Ground.
Robert Beckett added that the public are “most, most welcome” to join the legion for its Armistice Day wreath laying in the South Transect of the Minster at 11am, on Saturday, November 11.
