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The Gwent Poppy Appeal has officially launched, with Blackwood and District Royal British Legion handed the honours of the opening ceremony on Thursday October 24.

Starting with a service at St Margaret’s church, members of the armed forces and RBL were joined by councillors, Senedd members, and members of Parliament.

Children from local primary schools, including Blackwood, Cefn Fforest, Libanus, and Pontllanfraith, were also in attendance, before the group marched to Dragon Square in the town.

Speeches were then made, with Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, thanking the crowd of around 100 people for coming, before The Last Post was played and a two minute silence observed.

The Lord Lieutenant then declared the poppy appeal officially open, as a brass band played the Welsh and UK national anthems.

Onlookers, including MPs Chris Evans and Ruth Jones, Senedd member Peredur Owen Griffiths, High Sheriff of Gwent Helen Mifflin, and several councillors, then made their way to Blackwood Miners’ Institute for refreshments.

At the Miners, a buffet was laid-out alongside knitted figures, hand-crafted by Sharon Finch to raise money for the RBL.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer about her work, Ms Finch said: “I was in the army myself and after retiring decided to knit some figures and put them in my window around Remembrance.

“I then joined the legion and started doing it for them. Each one takes about a week to do, I’m very used to it now.”

Caerphilly County Borough mayor Julian Simmonds was also at the ceremony, and said: “It’s a fantastic event which has been really well put together.

“It’s especially lovely to see so many young faces here, learning about our vital history and taking part in a worthy cause.”

You can donate to the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal via its website.