IT was a big day for the British Legion on Saturday (October 26) with reasons to celebrate for both the Lydney and Chepstow branches.

On Saturday morning, the Lydney branch opened its annual Poppy shop in Newerne Street – and revealed a record amount raised by the Poppy Appeal in the town.

And on Saturday afternoon members and supporters of the Chepstow branch marked the ‘laying up’ of its old standard and the dedication of a new one at St Mary’s Church.

For several years, the Poppy Appeal in Lydney has come close to breaking the £20,000 barrier with the annual fund-raiser.

The remarkable total of £25,264 for the 2018 appeal was revealed as the branch’s Poppy shop was officially opened on Saturday morning.

Poppy Appeal organiser for Lydney, Stan Rudge, said he was “delighted and impressed” by the total.

He said: “We’ve been trying for a few years to hit £20,000 and we have come close but to raise £25,000 is fantastic and it’s going to be very difficult to beat.

“I’m the organiser, but it’s down to my team of volunteers and the support of the community that we’ve been able to raise so much. And we are very grateful to the Watts Group for making the premises available to us for the shop.”

Forest MP Mark Harper said the Poppy Appeal helped current service personnel, veterans and their families throughout the year.

He said: “Although the Poppy Appeal only happens for a relatively short time, the money raised is doing good work all year round and I would like to add my thanks to those who collect the money and organise the collection

“The very visible presence of this Poppy shop is valuable for educating the next generation.

“At this time of year it is useful to stand back and remember we have a lot more in common than divides us, and that people made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure we are free and we have democracy.

“We still have men and women who still volunteer to keep us safe in what is a very dangerous and challenging world, so a big thank you from the community through me to everyone who collects the money and those who make sure it is very well spent to support those who volunteer to support us.”

British Legion trustee, Group Captain Anny Reid, also praised the work of the Lydney branch.

She said: “From a national perspective I’m always very honoured to come back to Gloucestershire because I know how much work goes into the Poppy Appeal, particularly in Lydney.

“Nationally, we are preparing the anniversary of VE and VJ Day and I think the Poppy Appeal in Lydney will do a splendid job.”

The shop will be open until Tuesday, November 12, between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 1pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the standard which has served the Chepstow branch for more than 20 years was ‘retired’ on Saturday afternoon and a replacement dedicated.

The old standard was paraded through the church with great solemnity and handed to the Vicar of Chepstow, Rev Phillip Ave-ray, who placed it on the altar for the duration of the service.

It will be placed on the wall of St Mary’s Church with the other old standard, which represent 90 years of Legion history in the town.

Unfurling the standard, Rev Averay said: “We do dedicate and set apart this standard that it may be a sign of our duty towards our Queen and country in the sight of God and a symbol of the service the Royal British Legion is called upon to render.”

The congregation included Deputy Mayor of Chepstow, Cllr Dale Rook, Monmouth MP David Davies, Assembly Member Nick Ramsay, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Sandy Blair, and Mike Lewis of the Greenman backpackers’ hostel in Chepstow who made a substantial donation towards the new standard.

Chepstow RBL branch chairman Ken Davies said: “”Our old standard went to Ypres last year, but it had quite a bit of wear and tear and needed to be replaced.

“It has been in use for a good 20 years.

“The new standard will be carried on Remembrance Sunday, November 10, and it will be at the war memorial in Beaufort Square on Armistice Day.”