Latest news with #PoppyAppeal
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hereford Poppy Appeal helped by young people raises £100,000
A city's Poppy Appeal has reached £100,000 this year, with two months still to go before Remembrance Day the milestone, Hereford City Poppy Appeal said the campaign had gone "from strength to strength" after raising £68,000 three years ago – and had been particularly helped by the contribution of its younger Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal raises money to support the Armed Forces community including serving personnel, veterans and their Poppy Appeal organiser Samantha Knight said events marking the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day had also raised awareness of the charity's work. Ms Knight said a focus on engaging schools and community groups had led to more young people getting choirs had been invited to perform at charity fundraising events, she added: "Most of us have all got children or young family members who we've got involved, and through that they've got their friends involved."Fifty young people volunteered to help out in 2024, compared with five the year before, she top of that, support came from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Guides and Knight said the focus on young people had led to "a remarkable year". Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Remember when town was invaded with colour and cheer?
Wimborne was transformed into a colourful mix of music, dance, and ancient traditions in June 2005 as hundreds of brightly dressed Morris dancers, bedecked with a cascade of colourful ribbons, jingling bells, and jaunty feathers, jigged and reeled through its streets for the annual folk festival. In a joyous invasion, more than a thousand dancers and musicians, armed to the teeth with polished sticks and crisp cotton handkerchiefs, descended upon the town for three days of spectacular pageantry and heartfelt community spirit. The air, thick with the scent of summer and the sound of laughter, pulsed with the rhythmic clash of wood on wood and the melodic swell of accordions, fiddles, and flutes. Teams of dancers, some having journeyed from as far afield as the rolling hills of Scotland and the emerald shores of Ireland, wowed the bustling crowds with their stunning synchronised routines and spectacular, time-honoured costumes. From the intricate, handkerchief-waving Cotswold style to the robust, stick-clashing Border Morris with its performers in vivid 'tatter' jackets, the diverse traditions of this uniquely English art form were on full display. The jangling bells, historically believed to ward off evil spirits, provided a percussive soundtrack to the dancers' movements, while the fluttering ribbons and feathers added a splash of theatricality to the proceedings. 'It's very traditional and what we want to encourage is the family atmosphere,' explained festival committee member Maria Bisp at the time, her voice filled with a passion for the event. Read more: Would you like to see a return of the 500ft 'Bournemouth Eye'? The rise and fall of Tucktonia - Dorset's 'greatest little Britain' When tragedy struck one of Bournemouth's oldest pubs 'We want to attract lots of young people to the festival because we hope that they will continue the traditions and help preserve our unique heritage.' This commitment to nurturing the next generation of folk enthusiasts was evident in the numerous workshops and interactive sessions held throughout the weekend, inviting festival-goers of all ages to try their hand at a Morris jig or learn a traditional folk song. The festival's roots run deep in the community. Brian founded the festival 45 years ago, spurred by a desire to share his love for folk culture and to support a cause close to the nation's heart. With a loan of just £395 from the local branch of the Royal British Legion, given on the condition that any profits would be donated to the Legion's Poppy Appeal, Mr Bisp embarked on his mission. The Poppy Appeal, a symbol of remembrance and a vital source of support for armed forces personnel and their families since the end of the First World War, found a fitting partner in the community-focused festival. That first event was a resounding success, doubling the initial investment, and the festival has flourished ever since, growing into a cornerstone of the UK's folk calendar. And their efforts undoubtedly paid off. Beyond the captivating street performances, the festival celebrated the very best of English and Celtic folk music in a series of live concerts at the Allendale Community Centre. The line-up was a who's who of the folk world, featuring the intricate melodies of top Irish bands like Lúnasa and Flook, and the soulful tunes of Mise. The Allendale also played host to the wonderful Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, the poignant storytelling of Colum Sands, and the energetic rhythms of Welsh trio Hoover the Dog. Read more: Pictures show the historic bridge which connects Christchurch and Bournemouth Bournemouth wave pool will never be forgotten The event that lit up Bournemouth but vanished without a trace Local talent was also given a platform to shine, with rousing performances from Four Hand Reel and Paul Burke's band. For many, a highlight was the sensational performance of one of the finest voices in the folk world, Roy Bailey. His career, hailed as representing the very soul of folk's working-class ideals, resonated deeply with the appreciative audience, his songs weaving tales of struggle, hope, and humanity. As evening descended, the Queen Elizabeth School became a whirlwind of energy as Whapweasel and Random provided the foot-stomping music for a lively Ceilidh, getting everyone, from seasoned dancers to enthusiastic novices, in the mood for dancing. Throughout the weekend, the town centre was a feast for the senses. Street entertainers captivated onlookers with their dazzling skills, while colourful stalls offered a treasure trove of goods, from ethnic clothes and intricate jewellery to handcrafted rugs and an array of musical instruments.
Powys County Times
11-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Powys poppy waterfall makers aiming for 27 metre display
Llanfair Caereinion's annual poppy waterfall for Remembrance Day is set to return in 2025, with an ambitious plan to reach new heights. After debuting on St Mary's Church in 2022, a waterfall of poppy's has been an annual staple of Llanfair's Remembrance Day commemorations, but planners behind the project are hoping this year it will be more than three times as long. As 2025 marks 100 years of the Llanfair Caereinion branch of the Royal British Legion, the group is hoping to commemorate the occasion by expanding the waterfall from a height of nine metres to 27 metres. That height increase would take the waterfall from its current position on St Mary's Church tower, hanging from the window below the tower's clockface, to the very top of the tower to the ground. Organisers say the project already has the necessary poppies to reach that height and has already held an event as part of an effort to assemble them all for the finished display. Commenting via social media, a spokesperson for the group said: 'This year, the Llanfair Caereinion Branch of the Royal British Legion proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary. 'To commemorate this milestone, we are aiming to expand the Poppy Waterfall from 9 metres to an impressive 27 metres, cascading from the top of St Mary's Church Tower. 'Thanks to the incredible efforts of the Llanfair and Buttington Knit and Natter groups — along with dedicated knitters from as far away as Rochdale — hundreds of poppies have already been lovingly created. Now, it's time for the next step: attaching the poppies to the net, ready for this year's Poppy Appeal in October. The session was held at the Llanfair Caereinion Institute on May 2, with volunteers invited down to be part of the project that Llanfair's Royal British Legion branch called 'a lasting legacy for our community'. The project was first put together to coincide with the 2022 poppy appeal organised by the Royal British Legion. The groups began their collaboration after Samantha Webster, chair of Llanfair Caereinion and District Royal British Legion, attended a coffee morning at the Llanfair Institute that also included the 'Knit and Knatter' group and approached Shirley with the idea of a knitted poppy display. Over 60 people were involved in the project, covering a range of ages with the youngest being 10 years old and the oldest aged 90.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Veterans and pub landlord walk for Poppy Appeal
Two veterans and a pub landlord have set out on a 300-mile walk to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. Landlord Dave Cooper, army veteran Leighton Lucas and former navy serviceman Dermot Rogers set off on their journey on Wednesday morning. They plan to walk over Dartmoor and Exmoor on the Two Moors Way (30 April – 6 May), along the Tamar Valley on the Tamara Way (8 – 14 May) and from Falmouth back to Ivybridge, via the South West Coast Path (17 – 23 May). One of the group is insulin dependent while between them they have been through three heart attacks and two open heart surgeries. But that has not stopped them from embarking on the challenge, which they dreamed up in Mr Cooper's pub, The Exchange in Ivybridge. Mr Rogers said: "It was Dave who said to me after a couple of pints one evening, 'I'm thinking of doing something really big, the South West Coast Path'." "I explained to him that it was 630 miles long and that if we could do it in a month he'd be some kind of Olympic athlete!" Mr Cooper, said: "Eccentric, crazy, ambitious - I didn't know what I was really letting myself in for. "Coming from the Midlands, we don't have the undulations that there is down here in Devon." He added: "As Dermot said, we had a couple of beers - and thought it would just be a great idea." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Blind veteran sets off on 100-mile charity walk Artist's work unveiled for D-Day veterans and royalty
