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15
May 2021
Knaresborough flowerbed marks Royal British Legion centenary
The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has designed and planted a flowerbed to commemorate 100 years of the charity's work.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) has been supporting those in the armed services and ex-servicemen and women for a century and the Knaresborough branch wanted to recognise this locally.
The branch has worked with Harrogate Borough Council for more than two years to create the design, which features two poppies on either side of "100", for the space next to the bowling green.
A total of 4,000 plants were used in the flowerbed including 3,900 polyanthus in red, white and blue and some black grass for the centre of the poppies.
The RBL was formed on May 15 1921 by bringing together four national organisations of ex-servicemen that had been set up after the First World War.
That was also the the first year poppies were sold, with the appeal raising more than £106,000 to help veterans with housing and jobs.
Alan Pitchfork, the chair of the Knaresborough branch, said:
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Each year town residents raise around £30,000 for the RBL, but the branch is hoping more people will join as currently there are just a handful of active members.
Mr Pitchfork added:
Anyone who is interested in becoming a member can call him on 07984700429.
The branch already has further plans in place for this centenary year, including the return of its pop-up market stall and the knitted poppy tribute at Knaresborough Castle this autumn.
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