When should poppy wearing start?

11th of November is a National holiday here, poppies are usually available at our Church and in Waterstones, I am wondering if our new M&S will be selling them. Last year they were stick on ones which could not be moved from coat to coat.

I bought an official British Legion jewelled poppy brooch a few years ago. I'm glad of the chance to wear it in October, it's beautiful.
This year I will also be proudly wearing my NAAFI poppy pin, as a former employee of the organisation that serves the Services.
I've noticed a lot of official looking poppy jewellery for sale that has nothing to do with the Services or Service charities. That is something worth getting a bit angry about. It's just a motif, and not copyright, but it has a lot of special meaning; these cash-ins strike me as being distasteful.

I agree, Remembrance Day poppies are not and should not be a fashion statement. They may still raise awareness, but they do not necessarily raise the much needed funds which enable the British Legion to continue their valuable work.

We have a wicker laundry basket that we use to store soft toys for the DGC,and about eight years ago our oldest DGS decided that my poppy would be pinned to a soft toy, when the day was over.He does it every year and some of them look comical, but he is very serious about it, and it's a bit of a ceremony.Imagine a large flat Eric sporting a poppy!And Hissing Sid the snake, along with bunnies,assorted teddies, and a big purple frog.

I have a poppy badge that I was given by the British Legion for my Poppy Day collecting. Unfortunately I can no longer participate, but I had done it annually from age 17 til in my sixties. I still contribute of course.

Galen

I am irritated with everyone who is on BBC is wearing a poppy today, they must have someone from wardrobe pinning them on camera rolls ,I refer to in studio not on the street

In past years, dancers have worn poppies on Strictly which I think is carrying things too far. Judges, fair enough, but not the dancers.

Hoping to attend the Parade at Cardiff (4th Nov) if possible.

I used to be a door to door poppy seller 30 odd years ago when I lived in a large village. I couldn't believe how rude some people were!

Does anyone have a link to an easy knit or crochet poppy pattern please?

I contribute to the Poppy appeal, but I don't wear a poppy, as they keep falling off, so I worked out some years ago that if I was going to get dirty looks for not having one pinned on to every item of clothing, I might just as well simply give the money and not faff about re-attaching/moving/pinning/unpinning them (and tearing holes in delicate fabrics in the process..!)
It drives me up the wall when everyone on the television appears with a poppy - why can't people be allowed to decide for themselves whether they wish to wear one? What happened to freedom of expression..?

Poppy sellers came to the door today, was pleased as haven't been well enough to get out for a while and buy them.

Please excuse my ignorance but, what do white poppies signify? I've never noticed anyone wear one.

Enamelled poppies or bracelets - what a good idea. Charity shops could sell them, without taking a cut. I'd buy a bracelet and two poppies - one for DH - in a heart beat.

What a wonderful tradition rosesarered. You're instilling an awareness, which will hold him in good stead later on in his life.

Here's to you

There has been lengthy discussion of white poppies on at least one earlier thread. I am surprised you have never heard of them, although in rural areas, I think we are less likely to see them.

The white poppy is used as a symbol of peace, worn as an alternative to, or complement to, the red remembrance poppy for Remembrance Day or Anzac Day.

In the years that followed the Armistice in 1918, poppies were worn on 11 November – and that was it. Since then, of course, there have been many more wars and the memorial day has moved to the nearest Sunday to that date. If you are in the media or a politician, it is virtually compulsory that you wear your poppy as conspicuously and as early as possible – September or October now and probably in August in a few years time, particularly by those who know nothing of history. I would say that is right to wear it – red or white – on 11 November, on the nearest Sunday or on a date that is significant in your family history. Buy the poppy – red or white – to make your contribution to the welfare of the young men that old men sent to die and then ignored when they came back broken in body and in mind in every war since long before 1918. No one else will.

Actually, quite a few 'others', will. I'm sure there are more.

I caught the bus to Bicester yesterday ,and they were promoting on the main street and in Sainsburys, selling other items as well for what ever you put in the tin so to speak, for the first time I got a self stick one, just peel off the back and put it on.
Mick

My grandson's Beaver pack made white poppies last year. He made one for me and I displayed it alongside a few of the red ones I had saved from previous years in a little jug. Not sure I would wear a white poppy, being a traditionalist, but I have no objection to them.

Cheseababy - google British Legion poppy pattern and you'll find both knitting and crochet patterns.
I don't understand why people say they are offended by the BBC presenters wearing poppies

I am watching Countryfile and a scientist and an interviewer, both dressed in white lab coats had poppies pinned to them - seems a bit over the top!

Yes, they're all wearing them - in the fields, on Conwy Quay - I'm surprised the cows aren't wearing them!

I thought exactly the same thing - lab coats! What??? C'mon, Beeb, get real!

There is always an official launch day for the Poppy Appeal and after that the more people wear them the better. I usually have to buy more than one as they seem to wilt as soon as I put them on. This morning in church a friend had a very nice enamel one she had got from the British Legion website so I have ordered one but I will also buy a paper one.

I buy mine when our local precinct has the RBL stall with their veterans manning the stall and proudly wearing their medals...which will be this Saturday ... can you tell me what the WHITE poppy signifies please .