Poppy drop launches remembrance appeal

By Tim Clarke Friday 02 November 2012 Updated: 02/11 08:29

Buy photos » Poppies rain down from the sky as a bugler sounds the Last Post. 4412006MMR6

RED poppies rained down from the sky as the Last Post rang out to mark the launch of this autumn's Poppy Appeal in Worcestershire.

A large crowd gathered outside Worcester Guildhall on Saturday (October 27) to join dignitaries, veterans, cadets and Royal British Legion officials for a short but poignant ceremony.

Hundreds of poppies were released from the top floor of the building as a bugler sounded the Last Post and a two minute silence was observed in remembrance of those killed in conflict.

RBL County chairman Tony Hartley-Woolley said: "It was lovely to see people come out and support us.

"Despite all the newer ex-service charities that have started in the last few years we still have huge support for the Poppy Appeal and we have been very fortunate to get something in the region of a nine to ten per cent increase in donations each year in Worcestershire.

"That is tremendous when you consider there has been a recession and so many people are struggling for money."

Mr Hartley-Woolley said they hoped to raise as much as £600,000 in the county this autumn to help support ex-servicemen and women.

This year Remembrance Sunday falls on Remembrance Day itself, November 11, and traditional parades and ceremonies will take place across Redditch, Alcester and the surrounding area:

* In Redditch the parade will gather at the Apollo car park by The Palace Theatre at 10.15am and march up to the war memorial outside St Stephen’s Church in the town centre where there will be a short service, wreath laying and two minutes silence followed by a service inside the church.

Afterwards, at about midday, the parade will march to the cenotaph in Plymouth Road where a short service will take place.

* Alcester residents will mark Remembrance Sunday with the traditional parade gathering in Bleachfield Street at 10.15am before marching to St Nicholas Church for the outdoor service and wreath laying as well as two minutes silence at 11am.

* In Studley the parade will gather in the Pool Road car park at 9am for a 9.30am start and march to the war memorial for 10am where wreaths will be laid and a service will be held. The parade will then make its way to the Village Hall for the Remembrance Service before returning to Pool Road where the salute will be taken.