The New Poppy Appeal Year kicks off with the

Lincolnshire County Poppy Appeal Launch

To launch this years appeal we once again assemble at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre for the start of the 2026 Poppy Appeal Year.

It is a great event held in Lincolnshire's icon Aviation Heritage Centre as a backdrop!

The Centre was set up by the Panton brothers in memory of there eldest brother lost during a raid during the Second World War. It also stands as a memorial to all that were lost and served in Bomber Command.

The event ends with an emotive and fitting Act Of Remembrance as Avro Lancaster NX611 "Just Jane" roars into life and "drops" 40 000 poppy petals from her wings.

Here is the invitation letter sent by the County Chairman John Johnson (please note the reply to and date have been alter to allow the Horncastle & District Branch time to send their numbers to County) 

*PLEASE NOTE: The paragraph regarding entrance - it is free to those attending the event and this fact must be made clear on arrival at the entrance*

To All Legion Members,

LINCOLNSHIRE MEMBERS

 POPPY LAUNCH

Saturday 24^th October 2026

Thanks to the Panton Family, we are once again pleased to announce that Lincolnshire Members will be holding the County Poppy Launch at Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Spilsby PE23 4DE on Saturday 24^th October 2026, commencing at 11.00am, it would be appreciated if everyone is seated by 10.55am so we can start promptly.

This occasion gives us a wonderful opportunity to say thank you for all the work that is undertaken by so many to make the Lincolnshire Poppy Appeal a great success - Members within our County Branches, Poppy Appeal Organisers, Collectors and Volunteers, all working to raise funds for our many beneficiaries.

Once again, it is sincerely hoped that Branch Standards will be on Parade, together with Association Standards, Uniformed Cadet Units and to complete the muster, our Military Veterans. The event would not be complete without having the senior generation together with the younger generation marching in smartly.

Standard Bearers to report 09.45am latest please to

County Parade Marshal - Alan Canham

Veterans to report to Andy Daykin in the Hangar 

by 10.30am latest

The Aviation Centre opens at 09.30am and closes at 5.00pm, there is adequate supervised parking, and entry is Free if you are attending the Poppy Launch - please state this on your arrival at the entrance.

We will be having a raffle which helps cover the costs involved on the day, and donation of prizes would be gratefully appreciated. Tickets will be on sale from 09.30am to 10.55am and will be drawn during the Launch program - First prize once again, courtesy of the Panton Family, is a seat on the taxi ride of “Just Jane”. At the end of the taxi run, approx 40,000 Poppy petals will be deployed providing an emotive and fitting Act of Remembrance. This is of course, weather etc permitting.

To assist with planning and arrangements, the Horncastle & District Branch need to submit numbers of people attending. To that end Horncastle & District Members:

 Please notify the branch secretary if you are attending, please also annotate if you are bringing a wheelchair.

Also there is an invite for any Veterans that would like to be included in the muster, if this is something you would like to be included in then please send your details to our Branch Secretary:

[email protected]

No later than Friday 9^th October 2026

Lincolnshire Members Poppy Launch is indeed one of the highlights of the Legion year in Lincolnshire, please do your upmost to attend, and make sure that your Branch is not missing that special moment.

Regards your colleague and friend

John K Johnson

Lincolnshire County Chairman

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