Following some recent requests and enquiries about the length of time the poppies remain on the war memorial, the matter was discussed by Harlington Parish Council on Tuesday 10th December 2024.
The office has canvassed input from:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Royal British Legion (National)
The Royal British Legion (Local)- Toddington Parish Council
Ex service personnel – Families of those who served
The Royal British Legion (National):
The Royal British Legion do not have any strict guidelines regarding poppy removal from war memorials. There is no guidance as to how long wreaths should remain at memorials after Remembrance Sunday. In some places they are removed after weeks, in others after months.
The Royal British Legion (Local)- Toddington Parish Council
The representative was most helpful and told us that there is a wide range of thought as to what was appropriate. At the moment they leave Toddington poppies on the war memorial until Mothers Day or Easter whichever comes first. This is not universally liked in the village. Something they do which seems to be a very good idea is that when they do remove the wreaths they take out the middles and store them until the following year when they are placed on war graves and the gates of any cemetery that has war graves.
Ex service personnel – Families of those who served
The following is a summary of the feedback.
Mrs B lost her father during WWII and feels that they should not pass Christmas week.
Mr S said it would be ridiculous to have Christmas decorations up for 6 months as it would diminish the event, his parents and all aunts and uncles served during WWII so the impact of Remembrance Sunday is enhanced by the colour and ceremony. After a month people are blind to the fact poppies are laying there deteriorating.
Mr W (retired serviceman) felt that 1 month was sufficient for a display of poppies and they should be removed to allow for the joys and spectacle of Christmas to take over.
Mr A (retired serviceman) felt they should be removed before Christmas.
The Parish Council have resolved to take the following actions:
- Poppies will remain on the war memorial for 4 weeks following Remembrance Sunday, to ensure the impact of the commemoration of those who fought and paid the ultimate price was not diluted.
- Once removed the wreaths will be retained for 1 year and re purposed to mark war graves at the following years commemoration.
- The Poppies displayed on the lampposts will be put up 2 weeks prior to Remembrance Sunday and taken down 2 weeks after Remembrance Sunday.