Poppy Appeal Tea Party and Award Event on Sunday 22nd March 2026
It was a pleasure to host the Poppy Appeal Tea Party and Award Event again this year. It was a very enjoyable afternoon with our Branch President, John B Robinson, presenting lots of awards to Poppy Appeal volunteers.
Poppy Appeal Organiser, Paul Vile, thanked all those who supported the 2025 Poppy Appeal and announced that the total collected so far amounted to £62,080.12.
Bishop's Stortford Town Mayor, Cllr. Richard Townsend, added his thanks to all those who gave up their time to support charitable organisations like ours, and to our Army Cadets, Air Cadets and Scouts for all their help.
Our Branch Treasurer, Jon Sellar, rounded off the afternoon with another well-anticipated quiz which proved as popular as ever.
2025 Poppy Appeal Service Awards:
5 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Diana Austin, Brenda Ballenden, Anne Brown, Brenda Conlan, Karen Crampin, Sue Cranston, Emma Middleton, Suzie Moran, Nicola Port, Sheila Ralph, Mandy Reid, Mark Thornewill, Hilary Walton, Sue Warren, Jenni White, Giles Williams, Jan Zelezinski
10 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Gary Dale, Lesley Drake-Dale, Joan Hamner, Helen Jost
15 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Tony Boosey
20 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Bob Gould
40 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Arthur King, Clive Kitchener
50 Year Certificate of Appreciation:
Ann Maskell
Many congratulations to Ann Maskell on her 50 year long-service award, what a fantastic achievement!
Poppy Appeal Volunteering for 2026
If you would like to put your name down to volunteer for this year’s appeal, please get in touch with Poppy Appeal Organiser, Paul Vile. Email: [email protected].
Photos of the event:
Emma and Paul Middleton with Sergeant Major Alison Mitchell, Bishop's Stortford Detachment Army Cadets
Bishop's Stortford Detachment Beds and Herts Army Cadet Force
Diana Austin with Vince and Gill Micallef
Guest, Angela Marshall, Pat Ault and Linda Smith
Silver Leys Scout Group
Gill Kourentis and guest with Gary and Lesley Drake-Dale
Bishop's Stortford Mayor, Richard Townsend, with Jill and Phil Sortwell
Molly Foster and Peggy with Joan and Peter Hamner
Guest, Mr Conlan and Brenda Conlan with Jenni White
Paul with Ros & Gwyn from our Women’s Section. Thanks to them for their help with the refreshments 
Daphne Chapman, Ann Maskell, Jo Storey, Bob Cornell with Linda and Arthur King
Anne and Dave Brown with Tom Barden
Bishop’s Stortford Detachment Beds and Herts Army Cadet Force
1096 (Bishop’s Stortford) Squadron Air Cadets
Cadets together
Silver Leys Scout Group Poppy Appeal Shield
Gwyn, Kathy & Ros
Lucy Broad and Zoe Maidment, Silver Leys Scout Group Leaders
Emma Middleton - 5 year award
Anne Brown - 5 year award
Brenda Conlan - 5 year award
Suzie Moran - 5 year award
Mark Thornewill - 5 year award
Jenni White - 5 year award
Hilary Walton - 5 year award
Diana Austin - 5 year award
Lesley Drake-Dale - 10 year award
Gary Dale - 10 year award
Joan Hamner - 10 year award
Clive Kitchener - 40 year award
Arthur King - 40 year award
Ann Maskell - 50 year award
Bishop’s Stortford Army Cadets
Bishop’s Stortford Army Cadets collecting their Certificate of Appreciation
Bishop’s Stortford Army Cadets collecting their Certificate of Appreciation
1096 (Bishop’s Stortford) Squadron Air Training Corps
1096 (Bishop’s Stortford) Squadron Air Training Corps collecting their Certificate of Appreciation
Silver Leys Scout Group
Silver Leys Scout Group collecting their Certificate of Appreciation
Silver Leys Scout Group collecting their Certificate of Appreciation
Ros on behalf of the RBL Women’s Section Bishop’s Stortford Branch
Branch President, John Robinson, thanking Ros & Gwyn for their help at today's tea party
Anne and Dave Brown with Tom Barden
Quiz winners Jill Sortwell and guest
Branch President, John Robinson, thanking our quizmaster, Jon
Group photo of the tea party in the hall
Emma and Paul Middlelton
Theresa and Kathy, teachers from Thorn Grove school, who support us so much. Pictured with Heidi, Deputy Poppy Appeal Organiser
Linda and Arthur King with Heidi
Our Mayor, Richard Townsend, who always supports us. Pictured with Heidi
Branch President, John B Robinson, presenting Mandy Reid with her 5 year Certificate of Appreciation at the Apton Centre
