Armed Forces Day Outing

Trust Thamesmead took 58 residents and community group members on a guided tour of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory in Richmond, Surrey on Tuesday, 21 July to celebrate Armed Forces Day, whose official date was 27 June.

The two coaches were mainly made up of members of the Thamesmead Town and Abbey Wood Royal British Legion, Arthritis Care and over 50 groups the Pop in Parlour and The Friends of the Atrium.

Trust Thamesmead's Marketing and Communication Officer Julia Hickson said: “We learnt so much from our trip; from the history of the poppy to stories from attendees who were in the war.

“What amazed me is that in this day and age, every poppy; all 32 million Remembrance poppies, 80,000 wreaths and wreaths laid by Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family are made by hand at the factory, which employ ex-servicemen and people with disabilities.

“I came across a very poignant wreath as we left the factory, featuring a picture of Henry William Allingham; the world's oldest man and one of the last surviving First World War Serviceman, who died on 18 July at the age of 113.”

Trust Thamesmead's Chief Executive Mick Hayes said: “The day proved emotional for many and we received fantastic feedback from everyone who attended. It is great that Trust Thamesmead is able to do something for those who have fought for us.”