Poppy Appeal launches across the area
Respectful quiet was kept as dozens of shoppers stopped to watch the launch.
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor David Fuller, was handed the first poppy in Gunwharf Quays to mark the start on Saturday.
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Hide AdCadets and standard bearers stood to attention as onlookers paid their respects.
Parade marshal Dean Deakins, of Waterlooville, told The News: ‘Portsmouth Poppy Appeal has just got bigger and bigger and it’s great that the people of Portsmouth have come out and stopped to witness the launch.’
A brass band played as the standards were lowered and raised to mark the occasion.
Onlooker Tina Heffernan, 54, of Copnor, said: ‘It’s very important that the younger generation remember.
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Hide Ad‘Lots of people died during the wars to make our country the way it is today.’
Organisers Louise Purcell, 50, and her husband Chris, 57, were at the launch.
Louise, of Adames Road, Fratton, said: ‘It’s absolutely amazing, the support in Portsmouth is unbelievable.’
Meanwhile, at Tesco in Havant, the Mayor of Havant, Cllr Faith Posonby, received the first poppy.
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Hide AdAppeal organiser Olive Rush said: ‘The younger generation are beginning to realise if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have a free country.
‘It was busy down there because the staff were dressed up for halloween.’
Music was provided by the Fine Voice Academy.
Havant branch Royal British Legion chairman Dave Argue also attended the launch on Saturday.