The mayor of Petersfield put his money where his mouth is to officially launch the town’s Poppy Appeal last week.

Business was as brisk as the breeze last Thursday as the Petersfield branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) got their annual campaign off and running on The Square.

While Cllr Jamie Matthews “officially” claimed the first poppy with a noteworthy donation, there was interest in the group’s gazebo well before the 10am launch.

And if last year’s total is anything to go by, it seems the people of Petersfield and East Hampshire are happy to dig deep.

“We’re here primarily for veterans and their families but also now the community who want to remember,” said Petersfield RBL branch chairman, James Deane.

“Last year our total came to over £35,000 so we did well,” said Darren Hare, Petersfield RBL treasurer and appeal organiser.

“It’s quite humbling when you pick the tins up after Remembrance, and all the tins are full.”

The Petersfield RBL have also been given a helping hand by EHDC as they’ve waived parking charges in Central Car Park for veteran, David Lloyd, to help with Poppy Appeal collections in Waitrose.

Collections will also take place in Rams Walk and Tesco over the Remembrance period, while you’ll find their distinctive red tins in businesses around the town.

The Liss branch also got their appeal underway last Saturday as they set up a gazebo and stall in the village centre.

Meanwhile, the Petersfield Society is calling on volunteers to show some civic pride and join their annual “Clean Up for Remembrance” campaign.

A deep clean in conjunction with EHDC and Norse has begun but a ‘final polish’ will take place in the mornings before Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. If you would like to help email [email protected]