Legion bikers rev up 2011 Bognor Regis Poppy Appeal

Members of the Royal British Legion Riders branch thundered into town to launch the 2011 Poppy Appeal in Bognor Regis.

Alongside members of the town’s Royal British Legion and Bognor Regis town mayor Jim Brooks, the six riders officially signalled the beginning of the sale of the poppies in the town.

Legion secretary Primrose Jeffries said: “The official launch of the town’s Poppy Appeal is very important. We are very pleased to have the riders here as they have not been to the launch in Bognor Regis before.

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“We will also be starting street collections for the appeal in the town until November 12, and we are looking for anybody who has a couple of hours or half a day to spare we would be grateful for any help.”

Andy Brown, a member of the riders branch, said: “It is really good to come to sunny Bognor and help launch the appeal.

“It is great to raise awareness for the appeal and we all got to have a good ride.”

Two of the riders lived in the town, and the others travelled from Portsmouth, Gosport, Emsworth, and Pulbrough to meet at the town’s war memorial outside the town hall last Friday.

Felpham has also launched its Poppy Appeal.

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Although the village’s appeal does not have an official start date, for the last few years it has begun with local funeral director Darren Miles decorating his window.

The theme this year is the 90th anniversary of the legion and the appeal.

Events to commemorate Remembrance Day and Sunday will take place around the Bognor Regis area.

There will be a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day (November 11) at Bognor’s war memorial.

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On Remembrance Sunday (November 13) the mayor will lay a wreath at the memorial. He will be joined by the vice-chairman of Arun District Council, Ann Smee, for the service.

Before that there will be a march from the Royal British Legion headquarters at Clifton Road at 10.30am.

Other Remembrance Sunday services will be held at St Mary’s Church in Aldingbourne from 10am, and at Eastergate War Memorial off the A29, Eastergate, from 10.45am.

Ford’s service will take place at the Memorial Garden at Yapton Road. It will start at 12.30pm.

A small service at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital has also been organised.

The event, which will include a two-minute silence, will take place at 3pm.