Mayor and music launch Poppy Appeal with ‘respect’ message

MAYOR Rory Hunt launched this year’s Henley Poppy Appeal.

He gave £10 to Richard Pinches, who organises the annual fundraising campaign and is the new chairman of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion.

More than 100 people turned out for the launch ceremony in Market Place on Saturday which was accompanied by Sam Brown’s Fabulous Ukulele Club.

About 70 players, some of whom were wearing military uniform, played songs including Pack Up Your Troubles, Jolene and It’s a Long Way to Tipperary while visitors danced and applauded.

Councillor Hunt’s grandfather was in the RAF and his uncle served in the Navy. His other grandfather was an engineer and worked on machinery for aircraft.

He said: “Thank you all for being here today for the Poppy Appeal. For me, it is probably the single most important time of year. I come from a military family and have seen the good work the Royal British Legion does, so please give generously.

“It is hard to actually summarise just how important remembrance is. None of us would be here if it wasn’t for the sacrifices made. It is incredibly important that we as a nation remember them and show our thanks to those who have fallen and those who have served.

“One of my charities is the RAF Benevolent Fund. We had an RAF base here and it is important to remember that.

“I would like to thank Richard and the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion for organising this event. We live in a very politically polarised time and it is one of the very few things that really brings the whole country together.”

Mr Pinches, who lives in York Road, said the launch event raised £1,985. He said: “The Poppy Appeal is very important as it supports veterans and their families.

“Historically, it was the First and Second World War but it also supports veterans now. The more money we can raise, the easier it is for the veterans that need the support.

“We need to pass on the same respect that we have for our veterans to the younger generation.”

Bonnie Marwick-Apfel, 50, a dermal clinician from Wargrave Road, said: “It is lovely. My dad is Australian and he did belong to a group like the Royal British Legion out there, it is important to remember.”

Kerry Fretwell, of Berkshire Road, performed with the ukulele group wearing a sergeant uniform. She said: “I just got my outfit from a vintage store, the gentleman standing next to me said that was his father’s military uniform.

“The whole band and audience sang Pack Up Your Troubles and then we split and one half sang Pack Up Your Troubles and the other half sang Long Way to Tipperary.

“There were loads of people dressed absolutely brilliantly. It was great fun. There were loads of little kids dancing. It was very sweet and the children were really enjoying it.

“I have been playing the ukulele for more than 10 years and we have been at the event for about 10 years. It is supporting the Royal British Legion which is so important to support and pay tribute to all the people who fought for us.”

Ms Fretwell’s father, Jack, served in the RAF as a weatherman and when he was 23 witnessed a hydrogen and two atomic bombs explode.

Volunteers will also be selling poppies at the train station, Waitrose in King’s Road, Tesco, off Reading Road, and outside Starbucks in Market Place until November 11.

Meanwhile, several roads around Henley will be closed for a Remembrance parade on Sunday, November 10.

Closures will be in place from 10.15am to noon and will affect Market Place to the junction of Hart Street and sections of King’s Road and West Street.

A full round-up of Remembrance services will appear in next week’s Henley Standard.