Remembrance Sunday (Poppy day)

Every year Bedworth always has a day in the town for Poppy Day. As usual it was a lovely turn out, did any one else turn out today for Poppy Day?

We filled a poppy collecting tin in just over one hour in Bedworth this morning. this included lots of notes. The town was full with an impressive parade. Shame that the cloud cover was too low for the poppy drop. If anyone is interested we have just opened an exhibition at the Parsonage Heritage Centre about the Nuneaton Blitz in May 1941.

If it's the one in Bedworth Parsonage Heritage Centre I wouldn't be able to get down the steps but today I took a peep inside from the top of the steps to try and see what they had but couldn't see much from where I was I was told by one of the chaps they are moving it down past the toilets which will be bigger, perhaps I'll be able to get in to look around then.

Hello Morgana, The Parsonage on the corner will stay as it is but we are opening a second centre called the Nurses House (black door just before the toilets) in the very near future. As well as extra exhibition space it will be fitted out as a silk weaver's cottage, complete with loom. It won't have steps either.

Thank you Heritage for the directions wasn't sure where it was going to be exactly, I shall look forward to going in to have a look around inside, also want to say how wonderful those Almshouses are and the gardens, which I upload photos of on a garden site which they all adore.

Although I consider myself a Coventrian, I have lived in Bedworth many years and I'm always proud of the turn out in Bedworth on the 11/11/11. Well done heritage on your collection.

You should be so proud over there and no doubt you are. I have just seen the poppies set around the Tower of London. Truly magnificent, must be good from a bird's eye view too.

You could have bought one Dreamtime they sell them after to the public. You might get Prince William's & Kate's who placed one there August this year, the money from sales went to charity.

Hi Morgana, Dreamtime, the 'poppies' were planted this year to commemorate the start of the First World War on 4th August. The exhibit will remain until November 11th when the poppies will go on sale, however you can pre-purchase one now for £25 go to www.britishlegion.org.uk/poppy-appeal or telephone + 44 (0) 303 770 1914. All monies will be shared amongst Ex-Service Charities such as Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, SSAFA & The Royal British Legion. Hope this helps Did you know that the Last Post is being played at sunset each day at the Tower inbetween the 'Poppies' and you can nominate a member of the Forces who was killed during the conflict and their name will be read out in the nightly ceremony.

Thank you Wearethemods, in case no one has seen it here is a photo when it started, off one of my friends visiting.

We visited the tower in August and I ordered a poppy; it will be despatched after 11th November. My husband's grandad was killed in WW1 and we requested that his name be read out. They give us the date that his name would be mentioned in the roll call, but unfortunately we weren't able to be there. However, they sent us a link to a video recording of the ceremony. We never knew him but we are extremely proud of him.

A poem worth reading for the 11th He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Joe has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Some jerk who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his likes again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honour While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Some images from a very special place