A NEW management team has been recruited to the Droitwich branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) to safeguard the future of the town’s Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Parade for years to come.
It is hoped the mix of younger people to assist the experienced RBL stalwarts will ensure the annual commemorations go as smoothly as possible.
And a rallying call has been made to any other residents who want to assist with the appeal and parade to get in touch.
The Rotary Club of Droitwich Spa helped enlist the recruits and will also continue to assist the legion with the organisation.
In the new line-up, Rotarian Mel Bates will manage the overall events with Katherine Holmes responsible for all activities connected with the wreaths.
Rotarian Sian Griffiths will co-ordinate the selling of the poppies and Paul Wilde takes over as Parade Commander – he will be assisted by Janet Staley.
A Rotary spokesperson said: “New financial control systems have been put in place to ensure every penny raised goes into British Legion funds.
“We want to make sure that every year Droitwich has a Remembrance parade to remember and that the town’s young people are educated in the importance of the commemorations.”
As well as the November events this year, the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War will be marked with a small remembrance parade in Victoria Square – that will be on July 3.
Two smaller parades – one on August 4 and another on July 13 which will see schoolchildren laying crosses to remember the fallen.
There will also be First World War poetry writing and painting competitions for young people to take part in.
The best work will be featured in a commemorative booklet that will be put on sale, with the cash raised boosting the Poppy Appeal’s coffers even further.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the booklet or finding out more should mail the publication’s organiser Richard Morris at richmoz@hotmail.com.
To help out with Droitwich Royal British Legion call secretary Alan Newman on 07870 311036.
