Every year when November comes around, you’re sure to see many people across the country wearing a poppy on their lapel.
The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day which falls on November 11, marking the end of the First World War .
Taking its origin from the 1915 poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian officer John McCrae and later adopted as a significant symbol of the Royal British Legion , the poppy is worn not only during Remembrance but at the funerals of veterans or even other events like memorial services or anniversaries.
Worn with respect on the left side over the heart, the symbolic flower should not be affixed with any pin that obstructs the Poppy.
When do you stop wearing a poppy?
Typically the Poppy Appeal lasts from end of October – starting on Thursday, October 28 this year- till Remembrance Day on November 11.
The poppies can be worn throughout this period but also on the evening after the Remembrance Day Ceremony.
While some people choose to remove their Poppy at the end of the day on November 11, others remove it after the ceremony and place their poppy on the cenotaph or on a wreath as a sign of respect.
How to remove and store your poppy?
When a Poppy is removed, it should either be stored appropriately or disposed of respectfully.
If you find a poppy that’s fallen on the ground, pick it up, brush it off so that it can be kept or disposed of.
Where to buy a poppy for Remembrance Day?
You can buy paper poppies from collectors on high streets, supermarkets and transport hubs.
The flowers are also available for purchase online, not just in simple paper form but as badges, pins, wreaths and even alcoholic drinks.
Last year, due to the pandemic, the Legion couldn’t send out volunteers to sell poppies on the street. So, people were encouraged to donate using QR codes, contactless methods and via online platforms.
This year the collectors are back, but the alternative methods of donation are still available.
