Help needed with poppy sales
THE Carmarthen branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) wants as many people as possible to help with poppy sales in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
The Poppy Appeal is the RBL’S biggest fundraising campaign of the year.
Last year’s Poppy Appeal fundraising across Wales was severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with shops and businesses in lockdown, meaning collection boxes and street collecting was impossible to do – apart from in supermarkets and essential stores that were open.
Vice-chair of the Carmarthen Royal British Legion branch, Paul Bartley, said that despite the ongoing pandemic, thankfully no lockdown is in place and it’s the start of a huge push for the Poppy Appeal locally. The appeal will officially launch on October 29 at St Peter’s Civic Hall, Nott Square.
Mr Bartley said: “Last year’s lockdown hit the RBL’S fundraising efforts hard, but this year in Carmarthen we are now wanting volunteers to help with collections in Morrisons and Tesco Extra.
“We urgently need people’s help from the end of this month through the early part of November.
“There will be poppy badges and other memorabilia on offer and all we ask is for a donation when people come for them.
“There will also be young cadets out collecting in the town centre on Saturdays leading up to Remembrance Sunday; these will be on October 30, and November 6.”
Turning to the Remembrance Sunday parade on November 14, last year’s was restricted to only dignitaries and those laying wreaths. However, this year a full event is planned with the parade, wreath laying at the Priory Street war memorial and a church service at St Peter’s Church.
The parade will start from Guildhall Square at 9.15am and end at St Peter’s Church, King Street, where a service starts at 10am.
Taking part will be town mayor Cllr Gareth John, the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Sara Edwards, along with other dignitaries, RBL members and representatives of the three armed forces.
Wreaths will also be laid at the war memorial in Priory Street on Armistice Day, November 11, shortly before 11am.
Volunteers wishing to help with the appeal and those wishing to lay a wreath can contact Mr Bartley on Facebook.
Post Office on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Times may vary due effects of the virus pandemic.
Defibrillator In the case of a suspected heart attack there is a public defibrillator affixed to the Bancffosfelen and Crwbin Hall. An intercom link provides live guidance for using the equipment. Digital Aid Age Cymru Dyfed offers people aged 50-plus hands-on help to introduce and develop the use of digital technology. Through free telephone sessions, often led by Haroun Varden, help is given through tasks enabling older users to be comfortable with digital links. Please contact Age Cymru Dyfed on 01554 784080 or email p. mcilroy@agecymrudyfed.org