Rochdale residents: Why we wear our poppies

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Remembrance Sunday

As another Remembrance Sunday draws closer, Rochdale Online went on to the streets of Rochdale today (Friday 8 November) to ask people why they wear poppies and if they will be attending any of the remembrance parades being held on Sunday 10 November.

The poppy appeal, which has been running since 1921, is The Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign. Every poppy sold helps to support the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

Joan Taylor said: “I haven’t seen any to buy one yet but if I see one I will buy one. I won’t be going to the remembrance service because I never go.”

Dave who was shopping in the town centre said: “I haven’t got one at the minute but I usually buy one. I don’t wear it but I buy it to support the cause. I won’t be going to the service because I never have done. A lot of it is religious as well and I don’t practice religion so it wouldn’t seem right.”

One lady who wanted to remain anonymous had an important reason for wearing her poppy every year. “My grandson is in the cadets and my grandfather was in the army as well as other family members. It is important to me for that reason and I’ll always wear it. I will be going to the Rochdale Remembrance Service. I try and go every year for the same reasons that I wear a poppy,” she said.

Inaya Nazir said: “It is to show respect to my grandparents and to my generation. I don’t usually go to the services but I don’t see why I wouldn’t if I could get to one.”

Margaret said: “Yes I buy a poppy and I do it to support the cause. I won’t be going to the services but that is because I never really do.”

Remembrance Services will be held throughout the borough on Sunday 10 November. A two minutes silence will also be held on Monday 11 November at 11am at Rochdale’s War Memorial opposite the Town Hall.

Remembrance Day Parades in the borough of Rochdale