THE launch of South Cheshire's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal took place on Thursday October 28.

Sponsored small wooden crosses, representing the fallen in Afghanistan and named, were planted at the foot of the large Building Poppy at the entrance to BAE's Radway Green site.

The final cross was planted by a soldier who was wounded in the conflict in Afghanistan, he was assisted by a schoolgirl from Cranberry Primary School, Alsager.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion, members of 1 Mercian Regiment, some of whom have been injured on tour in Afghanistan, staff from BAE Systems and Cranberry Primary pupils  Bryony Hutt, Molly Brown and Jenny Mason along with their parents and three members of school staff Mrs Helen Morris (deputy head) Mrs Karen Campbell and Mrs Anne Nocetti attended.

After the launch a small reception was held where the three local schoolgirls read a poem composed by themselves (reproduced below) when asked why they had given up part of their school holiday to attend one of them replied "that it was an honour to do it and that we are all very proud of our soldiers"

Remembrance Day poem
I'll wear a little poppy, as red as red can be to show that I remember those who fought for me.

Flags we fly and poppies wear, emotions held we now can bear I'll plant a poppy on a cross and bless all the people who've had a loss.

Remember how lucky we are to have what we have got because whilst we live in luxury others may not.

They risk their lives to defend our land we thank them always and proudly stand.

In fields on fields the poppies grow, between the crosses, row on row.

Peace is not a big word, not hard to learn they looked out for us and now it's our turn.

It is a honour to be here today, to remember those brave ones and to pray.

I'll wear a little poppy, as red as red can be, to show that I remember those who fought for me.

Composed by Mollie Brown and Bryony Hutt

EXTRACT FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE CREWE CHRONICLE

THE launch of the South Cheshire Poppy Appeal was marked with a poignant service to remember troops killed and injured in Afghanistan.

The Royal British Legion launched the appeal at the BAE Systems Munitions Factory in Radway Green

The service was attended by members of the Royal British Legion, representatives from 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), Cheshire East mayor Gordon Baxendale, children from local primary schools and workers from the munitions factory.

Edmund McMahon Turner of BAE Systems said: "It was a very simple ceremony as these things should be. It meant a lot to everyone there.

"We had a giant poppy to signify the launch of the appeal and the Royal British Legion and 1 Mercian were planting crosses. There's quite a lot of soldiers from their regiment who tragically didn't come back from Afghanistan."

Radway Green has long supported the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Mr McMahon Turner said: "We're all part of the same team. We believe in supporting our soldiers, our airmen and the Navy."

He added: "They also found it fascinating coming to look round the site."

by Belinda Ryan, Crewe Chronicle