THE Poppy Appeal in Lydney raised more than £17,000 last year it was revealed as two Forest towns launched their  appeals for this year  on Saturday (October 28). 

Forest MP Mark Harper opened the Melville Watts Poppy shop in Lydney while in Coleford  the British Legion and Army Cadets were in the town centre raising awareness of the appeal. 

Lydney Poppy Appeal organiser Stan Rudge said the town’s total for 2016 was £17,802.73. 

After Mr Harper had cut the ribbon to open the shop, which is off Newerne Street, the Melville Watts Poppy wreath was laid by the Legion’s Lydney branch president Mike Houghton.

The shop is named in honour of Mr Melville Watts who was a long-time supporter of the British Legion in Lydney.

Deputy Poppy Appeal organiser Carol Powell and the new assistant organiser  for the appeal, Amy Stewart, were presented with Passchendale badges which mark 100 years of the First World War battle and are made from munitions used on the battlefield.   

Mr Harper said it was a great honour to be asked to open the poppy shop and effectively launch the local appeal in Lydney  and he praised the volunteers who been involved over the last 40 years. 

He said: “If I go back to the first total in 1971 to last year, it shows that large numbers of dedicated people have done this important work and each generation has passed the baton onto the next and we saw that with Amy stepping up to pick up part of the organisational work. 

“The Royal British legion reminds everybody of the sacrifices made. Every pound that you raise locally is all used to help servicemen and women, not just those in wars many years ago but those who fight and defend our freedom and security today and it helps give them a better life.” 

“Everything you do is incredibly important for the men and women we potentially ask to give the most significant sacrifice they can if we are to live in freedom and security.” 

The shop was blessed by the Vicar of Newnham, Rev Dr Rob James and Group Captain Annie Reid read Forest war poet FW Harvey’s Hymn of Armistice Day. 

A presentation of a badge and tie was made for Lydney air cadet Joe Hughes-Gardiner who has become the Gloucestershire standard bearer. It was received on his behalf by fellow cadet Daniel Bailey. 

Legion branch chairman Ian Hendy said: “There is huge goodwill towards the Poppy  Appeal in this community and thanks to the community for that continued support and warmth towards the Poppy Appeal and the work that it does.” 

Poppy Appeal organiser Stan Rudge thanked the Watts Group and Mr John Thurston for the use of the shop and Tesco for supplying the buffet. 

A garden of remembrance has been set up near the shop in Newerne Street and memorial crosses are available in the shop. 

In Coleford there was a stand at the clock tower with information about the appeal in the town which has been decorated with poppies. 

Sgt Murray Stephens, who is second in command  of the town’s army cadet platoon, said they worked closely with the Royal British Legion. 

They also used the occasion to attract more adult helpers and new cadets for the platoon which meets on Monday evenings at its hut near Coleford  ambulance station. 

There will be a Remembrance service at the clock tower at 10.45am on Saturday, November 11 and a Poppy concert will be held that evening at Coleford Baptist Church. 

On Remembrance Sunday, November 12, the parade will march off at 10.30am from Coleford police station and will be followed by a Remembrance service at Coleford Baptist Church.