The Harrogate branch of the Royal British Legion has issued a plea for volunteers to help with this year’s appeal.
Chairman Mike Comerford said the branch needed six to eight people to distribute poppies and collection tins as well as to take part in street collections.
Poppies were due to start going up in Harrogate today ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 12. Ripon already has a magnificent display.
Mr Comerford said there was a shortage of volunteers this year because some regular helpers were either too old or unwell to give as much time.
He said volunteers who could drive were required from tomorrow (Tuesday) to distribute the poppies and collection tins on prescribed routes.
Street collections begin on Saturday (October 28) but shops can sell poppies before then.
Six hundred boxes, each containing 150 poppies, are distributed as part of Harrogate’s poppy appeal.
The poppy appeal provides support for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.
The town raised about £50,000 of the £48 million generated nationally by the Royal British Legion last year.
Anyone interested in helping can call Mr Comerford on 07954125891 or email him at mike.comerford@ntlworld.com.
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Poppies to adorn Knaresborough castle again
Knitted poppies will be put on Knaresborough castle on Friday as the town prepares for Remembrance Sunday.
Decorating the castle with poppies has become an annual occurrence since it was first done to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice.
Brenda Pitchfork, a member of the town’s branch of the Royal British Legion, has been at the forefront of efforts.
Ms Pitchfork’s work was recognised recently when she received Knaresborough Town Council‘s 2022 community award on behalf of the Legion from outgoing town mayor Christine Willoughby.
The Knaresborough branch of Royal British Legion with their community award.
This year’s Poppy Appeal will begin in the town on Monday and there will be a fundraising stall at Knaresborough market on November 2.
David Houlgate, vice-chair of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said this year’s appeal aimed to exceed the £31,000 raised last year.
Volunteer collectors are still needed for the three main collection points at Lidl, Aldi and M&S Food. If you can help, call 07984700429.
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Knaresborough’s 30,000 knitted poppies honour the dead
The site around Knaresborough Castle has been covered with 30,000 knitted poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
The Knaresborough branch of the RBL worked with Harrogate Borough Council to install the poppies yesterday.
The poppies will remain in place until Remembrance Sunday on November 14.
Last year’s remembrance commemorations were reduced due to covid so the Knaresborough branch was determined to do something special this year.
The 30,000 knitted poppies have been created over the past two years by local women’s institutes, craft groups and individuals who have spent hours supporting the project.
Photograph: Sharon van Zelst
More poppies are set to adorn the castle next Wednesday when 1.500 poppies made by children from five Knaresborough primary schools using recycled petals from last year’s wreaths will be added to the display.
The branch will also hold a stall at next Wednesday’s market to raise funds for the RBL.
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There will be a small service at the war memorial at 11am on November 11. But the town’s main commemoration will be on Remembrance Sunday, November 14.
The main event will begin with a church service at St John’s Church at 9.30am followed by the parading of the Knaresborough Royal British Legion standard up the High Street to the memorial for a short service at 11am.
Photograph: Sharon van Zelst
Photographs: Sharon van Zelst
Photograph: Sharon van Zelst
Hand-knitted poppies have been put up around Ripon as part of Remembrance Day commemorations.
Around 75,000 poppies, most of which have been knitted, have been placed around the city by an army of volunteers from Ripon Community Poppy Project.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue also helped to place the poppies in hard to reach locations.
Cllr Stuart Martin, who helps to ensure the display survives by providing support towards fundraising from his localities budget, has spoken to people from Cheshire and Lockerbie, who were visiting specifically to view the display.
Cllr Martin said:
“Those who made the sacrifice we remember gave us the freedom we have today. Without them, we would not be able to do the things we do and it is important to remember them.”
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This year, a Remembrance Sunday service will be held in the Spa Gardens, where Cllr Martin will also attend as county council chairman, followed by a further service at the Cathedral, where the second of Ripon’s two war memorials is situated.
The poppies blow in a field near KnaresboroughThese colourful images of a field of poppies were shot recently by Knaresborough photographer Dick Lloyd.
Mr Lloyd, who is a keen landscape photographer, captured the wild flowers on land near Staveley, which is just north of Knaresborough.
The birth of his granddaughter Esme prompted Mr Lloyd to take up photography three years ago.
He now focuses on landscape photography in and around Knaresborough, as well as the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.
Do you have any fabulous photos of the Harrogate district? We’d love to see them. Send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
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