Volunteers organising this year’s poppy appeal for the Royal British Legion in Swanage, Dorset have been delighted by the town’s quick response to a request for raffle prizes and displaying collection boxes.
A pop-up poppy shop has once again opened its doors in Station Road, thanks to the generosity of the fish and chip shop Harlees, and a second year of Poppython fundraising events is taking place at the Swanage Legion in the High Street.
Harlees has once again provided the space for the Legion’s pop-up poppy shop in Station Road
Swanage’s new MP Lloyd Hatton joined the poppy seller volunteers in town on Friday 1st November 2024
Hoping to beat amazing total from 2023
Scores of local businesses have donated gifts for raffles and tombolas, as well as taking on collection boxes to boost poppy appeal takings in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance Sunday which falls on Sunday 10th November in 2024, is when British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women, who served in the two World Wars and later conflicts are remembered.
Fundraisers hope to beat an amazing result from 2023 when more than £15,000 was taken in November and the total continued to rise in the following months.
And judging by the range of poppy related goods in the 2024 popup shop, from brooches and booklets to posters and coasters, the team should be off to a flying start.
It is the fourth year that the poppy shops have popped up in Swanage town centre, and a whole range of fundraising events are also being held at the Swanage Legion from Thursday 7th November to Sunday 10th November 2024.
Crosses, buttonholes and collection boxes are all on sale at the shop…
Along with handmade brooches, headbands, earrings and much more
Harlees kindly donated premises
Swanage poppy appeal organiser Carolyn Hooper said:
“Harlees have very kindly let us use their shop again for free and we are looking forward to welcoming people through the door for all their poppy purchases!
“We actually opened last week as it was half term in some Dorset schools, but we made our official launch date Monday 28th October as that is when we are allowed to sell poppies on the streets.
“Our selling team will be led by Paul, Pete – who is ex RAF – and former marine Steve, who are all very well known in Swanage, and we get a lot of volunteer help, like members of the Air Training Corps from Wareham squadron.
“Last year, in the end, we raised more than £18,000 which we were thrilled with – Swanage is such a giving town and the whole community supports our poppy appeal.”
Window displays in the pop-up shop give a timely reminder of Armistice Day
Mugs and jugs and poppy planters will brighten up homes and gardens and raise funds for a great cause
“Crucial to raise funds for the Legion”
Carolyn added:
“We went into every shop in town to ask if they could help and almost all of them have contributed something towards our raffle and have taken collection pots for us.
“We have a fantastic team in Swanage and all have some link to the armed forces. The poppy appeal is so important to us and we’d love people to support us by either popping into the shop or coming along to the events.
“It is so important to remember, respect and support all those in the armed forces, both the past and present, and it is crucial to raise funds for the Royal British Legion so it can continue its work.
“The money allows the Legion to carry on helping wherever it’s needed, whether that’s physical or mental wellbeing or giving financial and employment support.”
Amanda Bell with the Swanage Pier poppy installation where people are invited to add a red ribbon
By the end of October 2024, the installation was already filling out well
Poppy on the pier
Swanage Pier has once again put up its popular giant poppy installation to raise money for the Royal British Legion poppy appeal.
Events coordinator Amanda Bell said:
“In support of remembrance, we are inviting the public to come along and attach a piece of red fabric or ribbon to our Poppy on the Pier.
“We do encourage visitors to bring their own fabric or ribbon where possible, but there is also plenty available from the gatehouse, and any donations of red fabric or ribbon to the pier would be very welcome.”
Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, large poppies will be put up on lampposts in Swanage town centre and metal poppies from the Veterans’ Forge near Harman’s Cross will be planted at St Mary’s Church to remember the fallen of Swanage.
Some of the many who took part in the 2023 Remembrance Sunday Parade
Royal British Legion events 2024
Thursday 7th November
- Fundraising quiz from 7.30 pm at the Swanage Legion
Friday 8th November
- Coffee morning with ploughman’s lunch from 10.30 am at the Swanage Legion
- Swanage primary schools lay crosses at the war memorial on the Recreation Ground
- Live music by Vintage Dogs from 8.30 pm at the Swanage Legion
Saturday 9th November
- Royal British Legion Poppy Fair from 10 am at the Swanage Legion with artisan stalls, cakes, gifts, a raffle and a tombola
- Live music by Total Madness from 5 pm and MI3 from 8.30 pm at the Swanage Legion
Sunday 10th November
- Remembrance Parade, meets at Shore Road at 1.45 pm with the march beginning at 2 pm. Service at St Mary’s Church at 2.30 pm, with wreaths laid at the war memorial at 4 pm.
- Return to Swanage Legion for refreshments at 5 pm
Monday 11th November
- Armistice service at the war memorial from 10.45 am
- Two minutes silence at 11 am
Armistice Day at Swanage War Memorial in 2022
Further information
- More details about the 2024 Poppy Appeal are on the Swanage Royal British Legion website
