Video: Millions of poppies start life at Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford
The warehouse in
Aylesford that handles more than 20 million poppies
by Mary Graham
At 11am on Sunday, the county – and country – will come to
a halt to remember those killed in war.
Most of those attending Remembrance services will be sporting a
red poppy in aid of the Royal British Legion.
But few will realise where they have come from.
Quietly, and without much fuss, more than 20 million poppies
have been created this year by a loyal band of charity staff in
Aylesford.
The only clue to the large-scale poppy and wreath production at
the Royal British Legion Village, off Hall Road, is a warehouse
with a large poppy stuck outside, nestled among the houses and
flats that accommodate ex-servicemen and their families.
Traditionally, production of the paper-and-plastic tributes had
taken place at the Legion's factory in Richmond, south west
London.
As the Poppy Appeal started to grow, production was split
between Richmond and Aylesford, with Aylesford set to produce 20
million poppies. Next year's target is 28 million.
Millions of poppies are
made at the Royal British Legion Village in Aylesford. Video: James
Snaith
But banish images of workers tumbling poppies on to a massive
mound.
Ray Sheppard, head of RBL's Poppy Appeal, said: "The poppies are
boxed up straight away, so the factory is dominated by brown
cardboard really.
"The constituent parts arrive all year round, though, so we do
have piles of little black centres, the green stems, red flowers
and green leaves.
"The machines are not huge – they have four stations on a
turntable that puts the parts together.
"Production is staggered throughout the year, and the busy time
for us is early September, when the poppies need to be distributed,
ready for all the local appeals."
The site also handles around 30,000 to 50,000 wreaths every
year.
Wreaths are made by hand in Richmond and come to Aylesford,
where a library with regimental badges is kept. Once the required
badge is added, the wreath is sent on to its final destination.
An Aylesford-produced poppy or wreath could end up in any part
of the world.
Mr Sheppard added: "The top four areas we distribute to are the
Far East, plus Australia, Canada and Spain - countries where there
is a large ex-pat population."
And when you make a donation to a poppy volunteer this year, it
is also worth remembering they are there thanks to the RBL
Aylesford, too.
The site handles all of the paperwork and street licences needed
for the campaign.
08/11/12
- Click here for more news from across the county...