The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2023 was launched nationwide on Thursday October 26.

Here in Ledbury organisers have been working on a project for a few months as part of awareness and promotion for the launch.

They displayed a “cascade of poppies” on the front of the Almshouse building in Ledbury at the launch at 11 am on Thursday.

The display contains some 1111 poppies all of which have been knitted/crocheted by local supporters.

Organisers thanked Hereford Cathedral Estates Department for granting permission for the display.

They also thanked John Strong for designing and installing the display and of course all those who contributed with provision of poppies

The cascade will be on display throughout the two weeks of the Poppy Appeal and provide a backdrop for the annual Service of Remembrance said Hilary Jones - Deputy Poppy Appeal Organiser (on behalf of myself, Brenda Hill - Poppy Appeal Organiser, Ledbury and Ellen Jones, Poppy Appeal Organiser, Much Marcle & Brockhampton districts)

Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community.

The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth ofhistory and meaning with it.

Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories. It is never compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those who it is intended to support.

During WW1, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. The countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. Previously beautiful landscapes turned to mud; bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow.

There was a notable and striking exception to the bleakness - the bright red Flanders poppies.

These resilient flowers flourished in the middle of so much chaos and destruction, growing in the thousands upon thousands.