Call for Burnley and Padiham residents to support annual poppy appeal in countdown to Remembrance Sunday

In Burnley poppies, and poppy themed items, can be bought right up to Remembrance Sunday from the British Legion office in the market hall. It will be open from 9am to noon Monday to Saturday, except Tuesday when it opens at 10am.

Shops, businesses and other outlets in the town will also be selling them.

In Padiham the appeal launches on Monday (November 2nd) and poppies will be sold outside the Tesco store from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Wreaths can also be ordered.

In a bid to raise awareness of the appeal amateur artist Tracey Smith has painted 30 poppy rocks which she has hidden around the Ightenhill area for residents to find.

Covid 19 restrictions mean that Remembrance Sunday commemorations are severely limited this year with low key ceremonies taking place.

Restrictions mean the public will not be allowed to attend a ceremony at the cenotaph outside Burnley Library on Sunday, November 8th.

But they will have the opportunity to lay their own tributes after the dismissal of the standard bearers throughout the rest of the day. These rules also apply to the cenotaph at Towneley.

The Mayor of Burnley Coun. Wajid Khan will lay a wreath sometime prior to Remembrance Sunday.

Bill Allott, who is the chairman of the Royal British Legion Burnley and Padiham branch, along with standard bearers will pay their respects and a two minute silence will be observed at 11am. The Last Post and Revellie will be played via a recording before the service closes.

Mr Allott said: " In line with government and Royal British Legion guidelines there will be no marching parade

"The branch has no other option than to make these changes. We must however show our respects in line with Royal Charter but would also ask members of the public not to attend to avoid mass gatherings.

"We really appreciate the public's support during these very difficult times."

Padiham Council will hold a wreath laying service that will take place at the Memorial Park bandstand on Remembrance Sunday. It is believed this is the first time a remembrance service has taken place inside the park which celebrates its 100th birthday next year.

In accordance with the rules 15 attendees and wreath layers will take part in the service starting at 10-45am led by the Mayor of Padiham Coun. Vince Pridden with Canon Mark Jones and well respected Padiham veterans Jim Bates and Ted Davidson.

Individuals and organisations will be invited to lay wreaths throughout the day if they wish with all social distancing rules observed.

Anyone who wishes to do this is asked to contact Coun Pridden no later than Thursday, November 5th.

The official poppy appeal organiser for Padiham Coun. Pridden also has wreaths available for sale from Padiham Town Hall by prior arrangement.

Coun. Pridden can be contacted by email [email protected] or by phone on 01282 771267 or 07788775537.