A LITTLE girl's gift for writing poetry is about to win her national recognition. Christiana Constantinides will perform her verse 'Why Do We Remember?' at Lydney Town Hall this Sunday evening, while it is to be launched nationwide on the Royal British Legion website.

Christiana, aged 10, is the daughter of Mario and Karen Constantinides, of the Miners' Arms, Whitecroft.

Her moving poem came to the attention of Legion members after she slipped a copy into the Poppy collection box which was on the pub bar.

"We were opening the boxes and found the poem. It is true to say we all had tears in our eyes," said Stan Rudge, vice-chairman of the Lydney Branch of the Royal British Legion.

"Everyone who has read it says the same: 'it stops and makes you think'. It is quite a powerful verse and we are so pleased Christiana will be reading it at our Poppy Appeal Concert at Lydney Town Hall this Sunday evening," said Mr Rudge.

Things have been happening all at once for Christiana, who is a pupil at St Anthony's School, Cinderford.

Father Mario explained: "On successive days Christiana had letters from the House of Lords and then the House of Commons. She had sent a poem to The Forestry Commission about the Forest of Dean and they brought it to the attention of Baroness Jan Royall who wrote to her to say she thought it was beautiful.

"The next day a letter arrived from Forest MP Mark Harper inviting Christiana to the House of Commons for tea on the terrace after a painting she had done was selected by Mr Harper to be used on the front of his Christmas card."

Mr Constantinides said he had always impressed on Christiana the importance of the Poppy Appeal. "Being brought up in a pub she is very much as ease with people of all ages and I have encouraged her to listen to some of the older men," he said.

Christiana will be reading her poem to an audience which will include the county's Lord Lieutenant Dame Janet Trotter, and the Lydney Royal British Legion president Lord Bledisloe.

The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, will feature Forest of Dean Brass, Drybrook Ladies Choir and Woolaston School Choir as well as David Holmes and Christiana. Doors open at 7pm.

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Why do we remember?

Why do we remember,

Why do we think,

How does it work,

How does it link?

Why do we stop and feel the pain,

Of men and women who are the same,

And why do these people risk their live,

And why do some people survive?

Now I know they made me see,

That they did this to set me free!