Wansteadium reader Sue writes:
There have been quite a few changes to the world we know of late, and for those of you buy your poppies on Wanstead High Street, there will from next year be some new faces.
For Jim Carroll, the Poppy Man, this will be his last year on guard outside the Oxfam shop. Jim is planning to retire to pastures new in 2023, after ten years collecting on the high street. He will miss everyone and the chats with his fans – there are some ladies who buy their poppies only from him – but time marches on.
We have also lost Marguerite Wimborne this year as a collector. Marguerite took a tumble earlier in the year and has had to relocate to a retirement home, so she too will be absent from her slot by the dry cleaners.
Poppy collections will still go on, never fear, there will be a new line up to ensure a smooth transfer and the Scouts will still be out doing their bit. Poppies will be available in various shops from 30th October, and the street collections will take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November, with the Remembrance service taking place on Sunday 13th.