Poppy Appeal 2024 – wear your poppy with pride

At the core of these events is the Act of Remembrance.

Glamorgan Star news 05/11/2024

6 minutes read

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

‘We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services, and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism’ – The Royal British Legion (RBL)

Every year, the RBL supports Remembrance events across the UK.

THE Royal British Legion encourages local and regional communities to produce Remembrance commemorations of their own. At the core of these events is the Act of Remembrance.

The Act of Remembrance is brief and non-religious, making it exceptionally well-suited to personalised commemorations. People may assemble whatever readings, music or other elements they wish to accompany the Act of Remembrance in order to make their own ceremony or event relevant to particular communities.

RBL does not prescribe what these should be, but services should be inclusive of all members of the community.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲… 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝

SINCE emerging as a symbol of Remembrance after the First World War, poppies worn during the Poppy Appeal have come in a range of shapes and sizes.

Originally made from handmade silk, poppies have gradually evolved to the most recent plastic-free poppy made entirely from paper. It is worth looking at how the poppy has evolved over the last century.

The first poppies

The first poppies used silk for the petals, wire for the stem, and bitumen – a semi-hard petroleum – for the centre.

In those early days, there were four different poppies designed to suit different budgets, from a large poppy made from silk, a smaller one, one made from lawn or cotton and a cardboard poppy for children.

In the 1930s, poppies made from two layers of different fabric were introduced. The under layer was made from lawn cloth, with an upper layer of silk. There was also a green fabric leaf, faux stamens and a metal centre.

Wartime poppies

During the Second World War, shortages in materials meant the number of designs dropped from four to two. Silk poppies were made in much smaller numbers, and a second poppy made entirely from card was introduced.

Wire stem returns

Wire stems were reintroduced in the 1950s to replace the cardboard used as a result of wartime shortages, with red felt used to create the poppy petals.

A new look in 1967

A new look design emerged in 1967 with bitumen centre and wire stem replaced by plastic, along with the introduction of a one-piece petal.

Green leaf returns in 1987

In 1987 the poppy regained its leaf after it emerged that the public preferred the feature.

The plastic-free poppy

Last year of course, there was the biggest change in the poppy’s design for a generation.

After more than three years in development, the Royal British Legion produced a plastic-free poppy, made entirely from paper that is completely recyclable at home.

With paper created from renewable fibres from renewable sources, including offcuts from coffee cups, the poppy design on sale now features a traditional poppy shape, with a black centre embossed with ‘Poppy Appeal’, and a leaf with a crease.

It can be fastened with a pin in the stem or worn in a buttonhole.

Photos by The Royal British Legion.

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Remembrance Day in Barry

BARRY’S Remembrance Day Parade will start from King Square at 10.20am on Sunday 10th Novemeber.

Spectators are welcome but this year, anyone planning to march in the parade needs to register their attendance by completing an online form here.

Marchers are asked to meet in King Square at 10am. The Remembrance outdoor service begins at 10.45am outside the Memo Arts Centre at the Cenotaph.

Remembrance Day in Bridgend

THE Bridgend Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service will take place on Sunday, 10th November.

The parade, led by the City of Swansea Pipe Band, will muster in Adare Street at the junction with Wyndham Street at 10:25am.

The parade will step off at 10.40am and march to the War Memorial, Dunraven Place, for a service conducted by Reverend Rachel Wheeler.

Bridgend Male Voice Choir and Lewis-Merthyr Brass Band will provide musical support.

Children under secondary school age are welcome to attend to observe the Sunday Remembrance Parade and Service with their family or carers but will not participate in the Sunday Remembrance parade.

Remembrance Day in Cowbridge

THE war memorial outside the Town Hall has been professionally cleaned in preparation for this year’s day of remembrance.

Road closures begin at 10:15am on Sunday, 10th November, with the war memorial service commencing at 10.45am followed by a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths

After the wreath-laying, a parade will proceed from the Town Hall to Holy Cross Church for a second service.

All members of the public are warmly invited to join us in these services and the parade as the town comes together to honour those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Remembrance in Llantwit Major

VETERANS wishing to take part in the Llantwit Major Remembrance Parade on 10th November should meet at the Rugby Club car park at 10.15am.

The parade will leave the car park at 10.35am and arrive at the Cenotaph at 10.40am. There will be a Service at the Cenotaph and the parade will leave at 11.25am, pausing for a Salute at The Precinct on the way back to the car park.

Remembrance Day in Dinas Powys

THE Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial, the Twyn, at 10:40am on Sunday 10th Novemember.

This follows a church service at St Peters at 10am which will finish at approximately 10.25am, giving the congregation, including other residents wishing to attend the service, plenty of time to make their way to the War Memorial.

The Royal British Legion Service will commence shortly before 11:00 am and will last approximately 30 minutes.

Remembrance Day in Penarth

THIS year’s Penarth Remembrance Day Parade will be held on Sunday 10th November, as this date is the closest Sunday 11th November—the traditional Armistice Day. Attendees should arrive at Rectory Road for 9.45am.

Proceedings commence at the Garden of Remembrance at 10.10am, where wreaths will be laid. A parade will then form up outside the Garden of Remembrance, formed up of Pipes and Drums, serving Armed Forces, Veterans, ATC, RNLI, Cadets, Police, Fire, Ambulance personnel, the Leader of VoG Council, Penarth Mayor, Chief Executive Police & Crime Commissioner South Wales Police, VoG councillors, Penarth Town councillors, Penarth Youth Action, and members of the public.

The parade will then march through the town to All Saints Church for the Act of Remembrance, with advice given for people to be at the church for 10.45am

After Church Parade, a march through the town to Penarth Ex Serviceman’s Club, where members will fall out and join together less formerly to raise a toast to absent friends.

Remembrance Day in Rhoose

THE Service will be at the Rhoose Community Hall, Stewart Road, Rhoose, CF62 3EZ, immediately following the laying of the wreaths at 10.55am.

Remembrance Day organiser, Jeffrey James MBE OStJ, said: “Local adult and youth organisations, as well as any individuals, are invited. Organisations that have a Standard are welcome to bear them with pride. Serving and retired servicemen are particularly welcome and, as always, will have seats reserved at the front of the hall.

“The Parade will assemble in Wesley Avenue and be ready to start off promptly at 10.30am. Those who do not wish to join the Parade may go straight to the community hall.

“In 1944, 80 years ago, momentous events were under way including the D-Day landings and the subsequent brave actions that resulted in the eventual victory of the allies over Nazi Germany. As well as remembering those who fought and fell in the two World Wars, we will also remember that there are brave young men and women serving in other conflicts around the world and some who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“The Rev Gavin Douglas OBE will be leading the service with representatives of other denominations offering prayers. The Women’s Institute (Rhoose branch) have kindly offered to provide light refreshments to all those attending. For further information, contact me on 01446 710690 or via

“This year, we are grateful for the generous sponsorship of Chris Davies, Estate & Letting Agent.”

Remembrance Day in Sully

Service of Remembrance will start at St John the Baptist Church at 10.30am on Sunday, 10th November.

Afterwards, refreshments will be in the Old School.

Remembrance honours those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life.

We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. We will remember them. – RBL

We remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
We pay tribute to the special contribution of families and of the emergency services.
We acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.