L-R Deputy Standard Bearer Zoe Major, Margaret Setchfield, the Deputy Mayor of Ferndown and Roy Setchfield
The Deputy Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Julie Robinson purchased the first poppy in the town following the launch of the Poppy Appeal by the Ferndown branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) on 24 October.
Those who gathered in the Garden of Remembrance for the occasion included D-Day veteran Ted Young aged 91, who served as a Royal Engineer. He heard earlier this week that he has been awarded the Legion d’Honneur by the French government – the country’s highest honour.
A blessing by the Rev’d R Forbes was followed by the chairman of the Ferndown branch of the RBL, Grant Parrott, introducing this year’s appeal organisers Roy and Margaret Setchfield.
He explained that the RBL spends £1.7M every week to provide support and welfare to the serving and ex-Service community and their families. “Last year £37M was collected by the poppy appeal and over £36,000 was donated by the people of Ferndown, West Moors, West Parley and the local area,” added Grant. “I would like to say a thank you to everyone involved.’
He also pointed out the importance of the Ferndown Memorial and Garden of Remembrance, which now includes a sun dial installed as part of the centenary legacy this year.
