When should poppy wearing start?

Funnily enough I spoke to a woman earlier today who was sporting two (different) enamelled poppies and a poppy bracelet - when I commented on them she told me that she is an official poppy seller and they're not allowed to start selling them this year until this coming Saturday.

They seem to be worn earlier each year, at this rate they will be worn at Ascot and Wimbledon

I am an official poppy collector for a house to house collection this year and the start date is this Saturday. I carry an official card when I am collecting with the date shown.

We have been delivering poppy collection boxes this week to shops, pubs, clubs. We can't do it all in one go and they needed to be in place ready for the launch today:

www.bfbs.com/news/articles/army/4913

One was delivered to Downing Street on Thursday by veterans and families following a march. That's what DC was doing wearing one today. He would have been disrespectful not to have worn it!

I bought one today at the butchers.

I've bought one but I won't be wearing it until the week before Remembrance day.

I was a door to door poppy seller for the Royal British Legion in the town I lived in before moving here. I moved at the beginning of November, and the organiser was really disappointed that I would not be able to do my round. I offered my services here, but was told that they can't get anyone to go from door to door so they make do with collection boxes and trays of poppies in shops and public buildings. I don't think they are trying hard enough to recruit people, as this town is wonderful at fundraising.

Buying and wearing poppies for the next few weeks will hopefully encourage people to donate to the charities for ex service personnel. So many of them suffer physical and psychological damage serving their country, raising the profile for a few weeks a year is ok by me.

I haven't seen a poppy seller yet but have seen people wearing them. I did see someone on the news wearing one last night.

Best I get my knitting needles out. I knit about half a dozen each year and wear one and carry the rest in my handbag, and if anyone comments on it, I give them one and ask them to make a donation and show the poppy seller that they have one. It was just my own idea a few years ago now.

Someone at work one year told me about the White Poppy movement so now I also knit at least one white one.

I might have to apologise to DC, I read today that the first "official" poppy was presented to DC yesterday at Downing Street.
Fair enough.

As kittylester said

I will buy one at any time they either do the door to door or if I see a poppy seller when out, but not wear one until November.

Yeah Alea down on those knees!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.