POPPY donations are defying the credit crunch as more money is being donated by generous Cheshire residents.
Tarporley Royal British Legion reveal they are no exception and expect to raise more money than ever this year.
Despite the generosity, numbers joining RBLs across the county is diminishing and, as the older generation dies out, residents need reminding what the RBL has to offer.
Jim McClure, poppy appeal organiser and Tarporley branch chairman, said: “We have sent out more than 70 poppy boxes to businesses, schools and other organisations in the area this year.
“I think people are more generous because of what they see on the television and the recent conflicts. It is definitely the case in Tarporley.
“But like many branches across the nation we have fewer people joining. Numbers are dwindling and the older generation is dying. I think the whole idea of welfare is changing and service men don’t realise what support we offer.”
Tarporley is rare in that it has both a branch and a club. The branch is the charity, it organises the poppy appeal, the remembrance parade and helps those ex-servicemen most in need.
The branch in Tarporley owns the club building and rents it to the club, they also own the bowling club and the 35 allotments in the village.
Club chairman Bill Cross said: “I don’t think people realise what great facilities the club has here. We have a great concert room with a bar and kitchen, a lounge, a snooker room with a full size snooker table and pool table.
“We are open pretty much every day of the week, so people should come and see what we have to offer.”
The club is used every day for weekly events such as bingo, indoor bowling and popular country and western nights.
Tarporley remembrance parade will begin at the British Legion at 10am.
The Chester Cathedral service of Remembrance takes place this Sunday. The day will consist of the parade march to the Cathedral, the Cathedral service, the Act of Remembrance and the march past.
The parade will start from Hunter Street at 9.30am. The Cathedral service starts at 10am and ends at 10.45am.
