A Swanage man, who is a familiar sight selling poppies around the Dorset town, has received a certificate of appreciation for his 20 years of voluntary service, from the director general of the Royal British Legion.
Paul Morris was presented with his certificate at the newly opened Swanage Pop-up Poppy Shop in Station Road on Monday 27th October 2025.
Swanage poppy appeal organiser Carolyn Hooper (left) presents Paul Morris (right) with a certificate of appreciation for 20 years of voluntary service to the Royal British Legion
Raising thousands of pounds every year
Handing over the framed certificate was Swanage poppy appeal organiser Carolyn Hooper, on behalf of the director general of the Royal British Legion Charles Byrne, who praised Paul for his commitment and contribution as a volunteer over the last 20 years.
Every year the Swanage Royal British Legion poppy appeal raises thousands of pounds to provide practical, financial and emotional support to the armed forces community, in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, which this year is on Sunday 9th November 2025.
Remembrance Sunday commemorates the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women, who served in the two World Wars and later conflicts, and is marked in Swanage with a parade, a church service and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial on the Recreation Ground.
Lots of poppy items to buy in the pop-up shop located in Harlees in Station Road
Poppython organiser Carolyn Hooper in the pop-up poppy shop
“Everyone will be warmly welcomed!”
Carolyn Hooper said:
“I am very pleased to be able to present Paul with the certificate which recognises his huge contribution to the poppy appeal every year. His support and the support of lots of other people in Swanage is invaluable to help us raise vital funds for the legion.
“We’d love to invite everyone to drop into the poppy shop and support us, as we’ve got bunting, brooches and lots of poppy merchandise. I’d also like to thank Harlees for letting us use part of their shop again – we’re really grateful.
“There’s many Swanage events planned including the school children planting the poppy crosses at the war memorial at 10.45 am on the Friday before Remembrance Sunday, which it would be good to see people come along to.
“We’d really appreciate donations of cakes for the poppy fair on Saturday 8th at the legion and for the refreshments after the parade on the Sunday. If anyone is willing to help, cakes can be dropped off in advance at the Swanage Legion.
“There’s an open invitation for everyone to come back to a reception at the legion after the formal events on Remembrance Sunday. It’s an inclusive event and everyone will be warmly welcomed!
The Poppy Fair will include more than 20 stalls including crafts, arts, cosmetics, books, gifts and jewellery, as well as refreshments and cakes
Swanage Royal British Legion events 2025
Thursday 6th November
- Fundraising night quiz from 7.30 pm at the Swanage Legion
Friday 7th November
- Swanage school pupils plant crosses at the war memorial on the Recreation Ground 10.45 am
- Live music in the evening at the Swanage Legion
Saturday 8th November
- Poppy Fair from 10 am to 3.30 pm at the Swanage Legion
- Live music in the evening at the Swanage Legion
Sunday 9th November
- Remembrance Parade. Meet at Shore Road at 1.45 pm. March off 2 pm. Church service at St Mary’s 2.30 pm. War memorial laying of wreaths 3.30 pm. Open invitation to Swanage Legion reception 5 pm
Tuesday 11th November
- Armistice service at the war memorial from 10.45 am
- Two minutes silence at 11 am
Carolyn Hooper (left) with Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield (right) who visited the poppy shop and tried his luck in the tombola!
“The two World Wars should never be forgotten”
The Royal British Legion offers its support to around four and a half million people in the UK Armed Forces community in 2025, which includes around two million veterans, two million more spouses or partners and children of veterans, and 180,000 currently serving personnel.
Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield said:
“The act of remembrance is important to the nation but also to all the retired military personnel and the civilians who experienced war and their relatives.
“The two World Wars should never be forgotten, nor all those who died in the conflicts.
“Please support the wonderful work of Carolyn and the Royal British Legion and help make the Swanage Poppy Appeal as successful as possible!”
Further information
- The pop up poppy shop is at Harlees, 2 to 6 Station Road, Swanage BH19 1AE until Thursday 6th November 2023
- The Swanage branch of the Royal British Legion is at 150 High Street, Swanage, Dorset BH19 2PA with more details about events on its website
- Donations may be made to the Swanage branch of the RBL via the QR code
