Poppyman seduces Matthew Parris
Our new campaign for the Poppy Appeal has been widely acclaimed as being one of the best ever. In an article in The Spectator, Matthew Parris says "I hate badges and ribbons, but this year I have decided to wear a poppy for the first time."
He went on to say, "So why was it that last week at Marylebone Station, for the first time in my life, I found myself marching up to the elderly gentleman at his poppy stand and, without a moment’s hesitation after putting my contribution into his box, taking my poppy and actually putting it on?
The Royal British Legion’s poster campaign this year has been so moving. You must have seen it.
Scenes of family togetherness and happiness are pictured except that, in the photograph, a flesh-and-blood man – perhaps the father – has been replaced by a sort of ghost, an air-spirit, half transparent, constructed only of poppies so you can see right through him wherever there are spaces between the poppies. Staring at these images on billboards I have to fight back the tears."