These certainly are strange times – no sooner is a decision made that there will be no Poppy Appeal this year, then a decision is made to have a Poppy Appeal, albeit in a simpler format.

The Royal British Legion has therefore directed that branches may collect for this year’s Poppy Appeal, but must adhere to strict guidelines, due to the current pandemic. The Branch will therefore be participating in the Appeal, but can only issue a limited number of poppy boxes and collecting tins.

Consquently, the Branch will not be issuing boxes and tins to care homes and public houses. The Branch have also only been allowed to collect from three schools, rather than the normal fourteen schools in previous years.

There will be no manned collections. Some supermarkets are serviced directly from The Royal British Legion, London and that will still happen.

Those people/organisations who, in the past, have purchased a wreath and who wish to do so again this year, will be pleased to know that the Branch have ordered the wreaths early and they are in stock and ready for 11th November. At this time, Midsomer Norton Town Council, quite rightly and especially in light of the new guideline restricting gatherings of no more than six people, have cancelled the Remembeance Parade in the town.

The Branch will lay all wreaths on behalf of everyone at Midsomer Norton at 10 a.m. on 11th November, Westfield at 11 a.m. on 11th November and Radstock at 12 noon on the same day, as they will be able to control the number of people

involved in the small, informal ceremonies.

Whilst the War Memorials and Community Stone are in public areas and as such, the public cannot be prevented from access, the Branch and relevant Councils request that people do not attend the wreath laying ceremonies, but pay their respects later.

Please remember that the Branch do have a helpline which operates

24 hours a day, seven days a week, so if you need assistance or advice, please call on: 07858 576827. Martin Feeney