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Pop a Poppy Picture in Your Window to Mark Remembrance Sunday! ”
ays Phil Dilks, Chairman of Langtoft, Deepings and District Royal British Legion:
“Local volunteers are determined Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal can go ahead safely this year, despite Covid-19. Of course, it would be irresponsible to risk spreading the disease by pressing on with Remembrance parades in Market Deeping and Deeping St James which usually see dozens of all ages taking part, as well as hundreds of well-wishers watching on. But we still plan to lay traditional poppy wreaths, albeit in closed ceremonies while observing social distance requirements. We’ve already made our annual visit to the Commonwealth War Graves of local servicemen who died of wounds suffered in the First or Second World Wars and who are laid to rest in burial grounds in Barholm, Baston, Deeping St James, Langtoft and Market Deeping.” The annual Poppy Appeal funds the vital work of the Royal British Legion in supporting those who have served in our Armed Forces, and their families, when they need our help. But the pandemic has meant a massive challenge for our Poppy Appeal Organiser, Sue Stephenson. Sue reports, “The latest is house-to-house collections are not allowed but, subject to Covid-19 precautions, we’ll have poppies and pins on our Tesco stand on the two Fridays and Saturdays leading to Remembrance Sunday (October 30th and 31st and November 6th and 7th). We’re most grateful to Tesco and other local stores and pubs where it is also hoped poppies will also be available.”
As most people will mark Remembrance Sunday at home this year, we’re encouraging everyone to display a picture, painting or drawing of a poppy in your front window – in the same way rainbows were displayed in support of NHS staff earlier in the year.
One thing is for sure: We will remember them! Photo: In Remembrance – Phil Dilks proudly wears the medals of his late father, Master Aircrew Maurice Dilks, including the Distinguished Flying Medal awarded for his courage in a 1943 air battle over the Bay of Biscay. His U-boat hunting RAF Liberator was eventually shot down and he miraculously survived a week in a dinghy before being rescued by a Royal Navy frigate.
