When should poppy wearing start?

In the years that followed the Armistice in 1918, poppies were worn on 11 November – and that was it. Since then, of course, there have been many more wars and the memorial day has moved to the nearest Sunday to that date. If you are in the media or a politician, it is virtually compulsory that you wear your poppy as conspicuously and as early as possible – September or October now and probably in August in a few years time, particularly by those who know nothing of history. I would say that is right to wear it – red or white – on 11 November, on the nearest Sunday or on a date that is significant in your family history. Buy the poppy – red or white – to make your contribution to the welfare of the young men that old men sent to die and then ignored when they came back broken in body and in mind in every war since long before 1918. No one else will.

There has been lengthy discussion of white poppies on at least one earlier thread. I am surprised you have never heard of them, although in rural areas, I think we are less likely to see them.

The white poppy is used as a symbol of peace, worn as an alternative to, or complement to, the red remembrance poppy for Remembrance Day or Anzac Day.

What a wonderful tradition rosesarered. You're instilling an awareness, which will hold him in good stead later on in his life.

Here's to you

Please excuse my ignorance but, what do white poppies signify? I've never noticed anyone wear one.

Enamelled poppies or bracelets - what a good idea. Charity shops could sell them, without taking a cut. I'd buy a bracelet and two poppies - one for DH - in a heart beat.

Poppy sellers came to the door today, was pleased as haven't been well enough to get out for a while and buy them.

I contribute to the Poppy appeal, but I don't wear a poppy, as they keep falling off, so I worked out some years ago that if I was going to get dirty looks for not having one pinned on to every item of clothing, I might just as well simply give the money and not faff about re-attaching/moving/pinning/unpinning them (and tearing holes in delicate fabrics in the process..!)
It drives me up the wall when everyone on the television appears with a poppy - why can't people be allowed to decide for themselves whether they wish to wear one? What happened to freedom of expression..?

I used to be a door to door poppy seller 30 odd years ago when I lived in a large village. I couldn't believe how rude some people were!

Does anyone have a link to an easy knit or crochet poppy pattern please?

Hoping to attend the Parade at Cardiff (4th Nov) if possible.

In past years, dancers have worn poppies on Strictly which I think is carrying things too far. Judges, fair enough, but not the dancers.

I am irritated with everyone who is on BBC is wearing a poppy today, they must have someone from wardrobe pinning them on camera rolls ,I refer to in studio not on the street

Galen

I have a poppy badge that I was given by the British Legion for my Poppy Day collecting. Unfortunately I can no longer participate, but I had done it annually from age 17 til in my sixties. I still contribute of course.

We have a wicker laundry basket that we use to store soft toys for the DGC,and about eight years ago our oldest DGS decided that my poppy would be pinned to a soft toy, when the day was over.He does it every year and some of them look comical, but he is very serious about it, and it's a bit of a ceremony.Imagine a large flat Eric sporting a poppy!And Hissing Sid the snake, along with bunnies,assorted teddies, and a big purple frog.

I agree, Remembrance Day poppies are not and should not be a fashion statement. They may still raise awareness, but they do not necessarily raise the much needed funds which enable the British Legion to continue their valuable work.

I bought an official British Legion jewelled poppy brooch a few years ago. I'm glad of the chance to wear it in October, it's beautiful.
This year I will also be proudly wearing my NAAFI poppy pin, as a former employee of the organisation that serves the Services.
I've noticed a lot of official looking poppy jewellery for sale that has nothing to do with the Services or Service charities. That is something worth getting a bit angry about. It's just a motif, and not copyright, but it has a lot of special meaning; these cash-ins strike me as being distasteful.

11th of November is a National holiday here, poppies are usually available at our Church and in Waterstones, I am wondering if our new M&S will be selling them. Last year they were stick on ones which could not be moved from coat to coat.

11th of November is a National holiday here, poppies are usually available at our Church and in Waterstones, I am wondering if our new M&S will be selling them.

Sorry, not meant to be in bold! it was supposed to be like this

I don't think they are trying hard enough to recruit people, as this town is wonderful at fundraising

It is very difficult indeed (here at any rate) to recruit younger people to do this voluntary work.
Most of the people who help with the Poppy Appeal in our town are well into their seventies, some 80+ year olds standing outside in the cold with their boxes of poppies.
At last someone younger has come forward this year to volunteer as Poppy Appeal Organiser, taking over from a dedicated lady who cannot do it any more - it's quite a task, but I am not sure if it is for one year only.

I'm not wearing mine yet - in fact I haven't bought one yet and no-one comes round door to door here.
I may knit one and put in a donation.

The official launch was on Wednesday which is why dignitaries are already wearing theirs.
We are helping out at our local Poppy Shop tomorrow on the first day for this year.
I have a lovely knitted one from last year that I have dug out for my coat, but still donate as they always drop off no matter how well you fix them and everyone needs one for Remembrance Sunday and 11th November services which we always attend in Colchester Town Centre.

Does anyone keep theirs? I do - I somehow can't bear to throw them out, so I have a bit of a boxful stuck away now. Daft really.

I have a tiny enamel one which is permanently on one of my jackets but I always buy one and start to wear it a week before Remembrance Sunday. I haven't seen any for sale round here yet though.

I used to be poppy seller at work and it was usually for a couple of weeks before 21,the If I remember correctly.

There's usually a poppy seller just inside Waitrose and I expect them to start this weekend. I buy two because it's a certainty that I'll lose one - or even both.