Blandford remembers - wear your poppy with pride

Almost 100 years after the outbreak of the 'war to end all wars', poppies are out in abundance at Blandford as a sign of respect and remembrance to all those who gave their lives while serving their country.

Each year the nation expresses its unequivocal support for The Royal British Legion's charity work through the Poppy Appeal. Its emphasis this year is the need to help the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives.

The poppy emblem recalls the Flanders poppy fields, which became a blaze of red after the battles of World War 1 disturbed the soil in which the poppy seeds had lain dormant for years.

All over the country, people will be remembering the fallen.

In Blandford, there will be two minutes' silence in the Market Place on Thursday 11 Nov at 11am.

On Saturday November 13, the Blandford and District branch of the Royal British Legion is holding a Remembrance Concert featuring the band of the Royal Corps of Signal at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Blandford Forum, at 7.15pm.

Admission is free, with donations to the Poppy Appeal.

Then on Remembrance Sunday, 14 November, Blandford's service of remembrance starts at 2.30pm in the Market Place, with a parade of uniformed groups led by the Royal British Legion and military representatives from the Legion headquarters in Church Lane to the Market Place for the Act of Remembrance, followed by a service in Blandford Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul.

Blandford Camp will mark Remembrance Sunday at 10.40am with a parade and service.

Photo: Public Domain Photo, Flickr