Mayor Opens Bedford's Poppy Shop - Wear Your Poppy With Pride!

Mayor Dave Hodgson was on hand last weekend at the opening of The Royal British Legion's pop-up poppy shop in Bedford, in the Harpur Centre.

It is the fifth straight year that the poppy shop has opened up in a unit in the Harpur Centre, and during the poppy appeal it will be giving shoppers the chance to donate, purchase a poppy, view the fascinating memorabilia on show or find out more about the RBL and about volunteering opportunities. The shop was opened with the help of Oakley Air Cadets, with the sound of bagpipes ringing out.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Bedford is very lucky to have its own Poppy Shop, and its presence is thanks to the sterling efforts of volunteers and to the Harpur Centre for hosting it. Angela Parker and her team of dedicated volunteers do the Royal British Legion and the poppy appeal proud, and I am sure that in turn local shoppers will be generous in their support and will wear their poppies with pride. Last year the shop raised over £50,000 for the poppy appeal, and I hope that even more funds are raised this time around for the RBL's essential welfare work for our Service men and women, veterans, and their families.

The pop-up poppy shop will be open every day until Saturday November 8th, and can be found next to Toni&Guy, near the Horne Lane entrance to the Harpur Centre.