THE county's Poppy Appeal has been launched for 2021 – marked with live music, special guests and military representatives.

The Dorset County Royal British Legion launched its appeal at the Keep Military Museum in Dorchester.

Museum director Elliot Metcalfe said: “We are honoured to host Dorset’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal launch this year. The RBL provide a vital service to military personnel and their families, whether currently serving or retired. We are looking forward to welcoming the local community to celebrate the Poppy Appeal launch, whilst commemorating why we wear the poppy each year.”

"The poppy is worn as a symbol of remembrance, stemming from the First World War where bright red poppies bloomed in the war ravaged fields of Flanders, symbolising hope for the future.

Money raised by the annual Poppy Appeal is used by the RBL to support members of the armed forces community who are in need.

The Dorset-based singing group The Decadettes attended the launch providing vintage entertainment, along with Weymouth Concert Brass.

Visitors to the museum will also see a large cascade of poppies flowing from the roof of The Keep, made by school children throughout Devon and Dorset. A Garden of Remembrance has also been established, allowing for individual reflection and remembrance. The Museum is grateful to McCarthy Stone for its generous sponsorship of the Poppy Cascade and Garden.

Both will remain in place until Monday, November 15.

Verity McKay, Divisional Marketing Manager at McCarthy Stone Southern, which has a Retirement Living development in Casterbridge Court, Dorchester said: “At McCarthy Stone we aim to support initiatives in the towns and communities in which we build which will help to create a lasting, positive legacy, such as this latest project from The Keep Museum.

“The museum is an important pillar of Dorchester, so it is our pleasure to support their brilliant work within the local community.”

The RBL charity was formed in the aftermath of the First World War to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little. Today, the RBL continues to provide life-changing help and support to the Armed Forces community and challenge injustices on their behalf.

We at the Dorset Echo are appealing to our readers to donate to the RBL by visiting dorsetecho.co.uk/RBL or sending a cheque payable to Dorset Echo in an envelope clearly marked ‘RBL donation’ and mailing it to Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.