INSIDE THE POPPY FACTORY

As Remembrance Day approaches, John Greeves visits a national charity that helps hundreds of veterans across the country find employment, and meets everyday hero, Jamie Micklefield

The Poppy Factory is in Richmond, London and was established in 1922 by Major George Howson MC to employ disabled ex-Forces personnel to make Remembrance poppies and wreaths. The tradition continues today. Presently, 25 full-time workers make more than 100,000 Remembrance wreaths each year. In recent times The Poppy Factory has also grown into a national charity supporting hundreds of veterans with health conditions each year into all kinds of employment across England and Wales.

Jamie Micklefield is a former soldier in the Royal Dragoon Guards employed at The Poppy Factory. He served for 17 years in the army, driving and maintaining Challenger tanks. During his army career he undertook numerous postings to Germany with his regiment and saw active service in Iraq between 2004 and 2005. He left the army in 2016 and suffers from a lower back injury and PTSD. “I still have kind of wild moments going on in my mind when it comes to PTSD, especially at night-time and travelling on public transport,” he says.

Jamie works as a production worker on the shop floor. He came here nearly six years ago and started by making small wooden crosses. Now he specialises in creating poppy wreaths for the different regiments and service associations. Besides being a production worker, he’s also the Workplace Organiser for the GMB union and plays an active role in helping others.

All the wreath work is by hand. To make the wreath, Jamie uses a pre-drilled circular mount (almost polo-mint in shape but with a flat underside). A circular back plate with the badge is attached to the mount once the poppy work is complete. The wreath poppy petals are trefoil in shape and made by one of the two machine operatives from artificial silk. The poppies on the wreath are not to be confused with those worn on lapels.

Jamie explains how the wreath is made up with inner, outer, and a top ring of poppies that cover the mount. The stamen studs go through the centre of trefoil-shaped petals into the pre-drilled hole in the mount. This action is repeated and once the poppies are all in place the back plate is attached with the regimental badge clearly visible through the centre of the wreath. Jamie’s completed wreath is then placed into a suitable box with a label on the side with the maker’s name. “We all put 110% into the wreaths and make sure of the quality control and that the person receives the wreath they’ve ordered,” he says. In the past the team has received numerous letters of appreciation, along with photographs showing where the wreath has been placed on memorials all over the world. Working at The Poppy Factory, has not only given Jamie a fulfilling job but has created stable relationships both at home and at work and he’s grateful for the full support he’s received from his managerial and executive team. “I have had treatment, I’m not 100% cured, but I have the tools now to point me in the right direction,” he says. Balance remains his guiding principle and applies equally to all aspects of his life. He loves the military but doesn’t want to live it 24-7. He’s developed new friendships with people outside work where he can talk

From its earliest days about other things, like his passion for electronic music, and switch off from The Poppy Factory has what he calls being “green blooded” and military. helped veterans with From its earliest days The Poppy health conditions to move Factory has helped veterans with health conditions to move back into back into work work: a tradition that continues today. This year is particularly poignant as it celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and The Poppy Factory’s own centenary. For Jamie, routine, and having a purpose in everything he does has given him a new meaning in life. As for the red poppy, he feels it’s important that young people understand its history and its relevance. It’s not, as he puts it, “Simply dropping coins into a tin.” For more information, or to book a tour of the Poppy Factory, go to poppyfactory.org/visit n