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[[File:Poppy Factory, Richmond - geograph.org.uk - 884679.-2jpg.jpg|thumb|The Royal British Legion |
[[File:Poppy Factory, Richmond - geograph.org.uk - 884679.-2jpg.jpg|thumb|The Royal British Legion poppy factory in Richmond]] |
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There are two ''' |
There are two '''poppy factories''' in the United Kingdom, one in [[Richmond, Surrey]] and one in [[Edinburgh]]. The '''Royal British Legion Poppy Factory''' was established in England in 1922, and makes approximately 36 million [[remembrance poppy|remembrance poppies]] each year. The '''Lady Haig Poppy Factory''' was established in Scotland in 1926 and makes approximately five million remembrance poppies each year. |
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==Royal British Legion Poppy Factory== |
==Royal British Legion Poppy Factory== |
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Artificial poppies for the first poppy appeal in 1921 had been imported from [[France]] by Madame [[Anna Guérin]], but in 1922 |
Artificial poppies for the first poppy appeal in 1921 had been imported from [[France]] by Madame [[Anna Guérin]], but in 1922 the Disabled Society, a charity established in 1920 by Major [[George Arthur Howson|George Howson]] MC and Major [[Jack Cohen (politician)|Jack Cohen]], received a grant of £2,000 from the British Legion to employ disabled ex-service personnel to make remembrance poppies in England.<ref name=MoD>{{cite web|title=Veterans Minister visits Poppy Factory|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/VeteransMinisterVisitsPoppyFactory.htm|work=A People In Defence news article|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom){{!}}Ministry of Defence]]|date=22 September 2011|accessdate=10 November 2011}}</ref> They set up in a former collar factory on the [[Old Kent Road]]. Soon the factory was employing 50 disabled veterans.<ref name=TPF>{{cite web|title=The Poppy Factory: History|url=http://www.poppyfactory.org/history-2.html|publisher=The Poppy Factory|accessdate=10 November 2011}}</ref> The factory made a million poppies within two months. |
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In November 1924 the [[Prince of Wales]] (later [[Edward VIII]]) visited the |
In November 1924 the [[Prince of Wales]] (later [[Edward VIII]]) visited the poppy factory, which made 27 million poppies that year. Most of the employees were disabled, and by then there was a long waiting list for prospective employees.<ref>Philip Waller, ‘Howson, George (1886–1936)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37577 accessed 10 Nov 2011]</ref> |
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The old collar factory eventually proved too small, as demand increased, and in 1925 they moved to the disused brewery site in Richmond that is still its home. The name of the charity was changed to the British Legion Poppy Factory |
The old collar factory eventually proved too small, as demand increased, and in 1925 they moved to the disused brewery site in Richmond that is still its home. The name of the charity was changed to the British Legion Poppy Factory at about the same time.<ref name=TPF /> In 1933 the factory was rebuilt on the same site.<ref name=BBC2006>{{cite web|title=Poppy factory passes test of time|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5338616.stm|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|accessdate=10 November 2011|author=Jane Mower|date=27 October 2006}}</ref> |
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As of 2011, the Richmond factory is operated by [[Royal British Legion]] through a separate company, The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory Ltd, and employs approximately 40 full-time workers, most of whom are disabled, who make the poppies throughout the year in preparation for |
As of 2011, the Richmond factory is operated by [[Royal British Legion]] through a separate company, The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory Ltd, and employs approximately 40 full-time workers, most of whom are disabled, who make the poppies throughout the year in preparation for Remembrance Day. In addition, the charity employs approximately 90 home workers who live within 10 miles of the factory. Total production is approximately 36 million poppies each year, although it has been as high as 45 million and there were once 365 workers.<ref name=BBC2006 /> |
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The Richmond factory also makes approximately 80,000 poppy wreaths each year, including the wreaths laid by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]], other members of the [[British Royal Family]], and British politicians at the National Service of Remembrance at [[ |
The Richmond factory also makes approximately 80,000 poppy wreaths each year, including the wreaths laid by [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth]], other members of the [[British Royal Family]], and British politicians at the National Service of Remembrance at the [[Cenotaph, Whitehall|Cenotaph]] on [[Remembrance Sunday]]. It also makes wooden tokens of remembrance (originally remembrance crosses, now a variety of shapes for different religions, including for 'no faith') and organises the [[Field of Remembrance]] at [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref name=MoD/> |
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The premises are open to the public for guided tours. It also assists wounded, injured and sick ex-service men and women to find employment outside the factory.<ref name=MoD /> |
The premises are open to the public for guided tours. It also assists wounded, injured and sick ex-service men and women to find employment outside the factory.<ref name=MoD /> |
Revision as of 07:46, 13 November 2011
There are two poppy factories in the United Kingdom, one in Richmond, Surrey and one in Edinburgh. The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory was established in England in 1922, and makes approximately 36 million remembrance poppies each year. The Lady Haig Poppy Factory was established in Scotland in 1926 and makes approximately five million remembrance poppies each year.
Royal British Legion Poppy Factory
Artificial poppies for the first poppy appeal in 1921 had been imported from France by Madame Anna Guérin, but in 1922 the Disabled Society, a charity established in 1920 by Major George Howson MC and Major Jack Cohen, received a grant of £2,000 from the British Legion to employ disabled ex-service personnel to make remembrance poppies in England.[1] They set up in a former collar factory on the Old Kent Road. Soon the factory was employing 50 disabled veterans.[2] The factory made a million poppies within two months.
In November 1924 the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) visited the poppy factory, which made 27 million poppies that year. Most of the employees were disabled, and by then there was a long waiting list for prospective employees.[3]
The old collar factory eventually proved too small, as demand increased, and in 1925 they moved to the disused brewery site in Richmond that is still its home. The name of the charity was changed to the British Legion Poppy Factory at about the same time.[2] In 1933 the factory was rebuilt on the same site.[4]
As of 2011, the Richmond factory is operated by Royal British Legion through a separate company, The Royal British Legion Poppy Factory Ltd, and employs approximately 40 full-time workers, most of whom are disabled, who make the poppies throughout the year in preparation for Remembrance Day. In addition, the charity employs approximately 90 home workers who live within 10 miles of the factory. Total production is approximately 36 million poppies each year, although it has been as high as 45 million and there were once 365 workers.[4]
The Richmond factory also makes approximately 80,000 poppy wreaths each year, including the wreaths laid by Queen Elizabeth, other members of the British Royal Family, and British politicians at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. It also makes wooden tokens of remembrance (originally remembrance crosses, now a variety of shapes for different religions, including for 'no faith') and organises the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.[1]
The premises are open to the public for guided tours. It also assists wounded, injured and sick ex-service men and women to find employment outside the factory.[1]
Lady Haig Poppy Factory
A separate factory, the Lady Haig Poppy Factory, was opened in Scotland in March 1926 at the suggestion of Countess Haig, wife of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig.[5] It is operated by the Earl Haig Fund Scotland and also employs ex-service personnel, many disabled, making five million remembrance poppies in Edinburgh each year, to a slightly different design with four-lobed petals rather than two for English poppies, and 8,000 wreaths.[6]
Remembrance poppies
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Royal British Legion pin poppy
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Royal British Legion wreath poppies
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Royal British Legion remembrance cross
References
- ^ a b c "Veterans Minister visits Poppy Factory". A People In Defence news article. Ministry of Defence. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ a b "The Poppy Factory: History". The Poppy Factory. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Philip Waller, ‘Howson, George (1886–1936)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 10 Nov 2011
- ^ a b Jane Mower (27 October 2006). "Poppy factory passes test of time". BBC News Online. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Factory History". Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "How It's Done". Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
External links
- The Poppy Factory
- Lady Haig's Poppy Factory
- The Poppy Factory, Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra blog
- The Poppy Factory, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 11am on 9 November 2011