Press Release

The Poppy Express - Launch of 2005 Somerset and Bristol Poppy Appeal

THE POPPY EXPRESS

The Royal British Legion in the County of Somerset and South Bristol will launch their 84th Poppy Appeal on Friday the 21st of October with a unique ride on the West Somerset Steam railway from Bishops Lydeard, the location of our residential home Dunkirk Memorial House, to Minehead, leaving at 1100 AM and returning at 3.00 PM.  The Launch will be in the presence of The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass, Ian Liddell- Grainger, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater and the Chairman of the West Somerset Council, Barbara Childs. The train will be bedecked with the Poppy Emblem and will carry the Legion Standards from many of the Somerset and Bristol Branches along with Legion Members.  The train, on arrival at Minehead, will pass through a “firing” of Poppy Petals into the air and as they cascade to the ground the train will be met by the Lord Mayor of Minehead, Alderman  Nicholas Messarra.

The Standards, the Legion Members and the Band of Wellington School will then form up and march to the Burma Star War Memorial in Blenheim Gardens.  A short Service of Remembrance will take place; a wreath will be laid to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day.  The Two Minute Silence will reflect on all the sacrifices made by those young men and women from Somerset and Bristol who gave so willingly so that we today can live our lives in freedom.

The Community Fund Raiser for Somerset and Bristol, Major David Watson said “The Poppy Appeal Launch each year in the County does remind all of us of the Legion's caring role within the community and the fact that it has looked after all the Veterans and their dependants since 1921.  The dedicated Poppy Appeal organizers and collectors along with the generosity of the public collect in excess of £500.000 each year. This allows our volunteer trained caseworkers backed by the professional staff to carry on with the vital role of looking after the interests and memory of the ex-service and serving sailors, soldiers, airmen, their families and dependants. The Legion will be needed for as long as people continue to be affected by conflict and we see this on a daily basis all around the world.  We do not advocate war but are simply there to support those who have been prepared to make a personal sacrifice through serving in the British Armed Forces”. 

“Our unique journey by train will be our dedication as an organization to continue our vital work. It started after the Great War but is as important today as it was 84 years ago. We ask all of you to support our troops by giving generously to the Poppy Appeal, their support line in moments of distress and bereavement.  – Thank you”.

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