Where does the money go? Click on the picture above
The Wokingham Centenary Poppy Appeal
The First World War Centenary Year has finally arrived. Throughout 2014, we will witness many events which mark this 100th anniversary whereby the nation’s newspapers, TV, radio and social media, will examine every aspect of the war’s execution. Now, for the first time, we can read about our local contribution to the war and witness how our people coped with the news from the Front in all its increasing horror.
For the past two years, Wokingham Remembers has researched the lives of local men and the circumstances which led to their deaths in the First World War. With the help of a group of people from around the world, much of the basic research has now been completed and posted on www.wokinghamremembers.com. In addition, we have included more general local information, in order to provide a broader picture of Wokingham life during the turn of the 20th century. The time now is to measure by how much Wokingham as a community, wishes to mark the passing of this Centenary Year and determine how we should go about this task.
Why should Wokingham commemorate the First World War ?
During 2014 we will witness a debate about the purpose of the war, but at a community level, our local story provides a feeling of great pride in the place we call home. Irrespective of whether we believe it was a great victory or an event of senseless mass slaughter, it is a humbling experience to read how time after time, our local men left behind their ordinary lives and literally after months of training become men of war. The Centenary is also a time to reflect on the quality of our lives today and compare it to that of another time. Have we at last created a land fit for heroes as Lloyd George dreamed of, or do we still have a long way to go on our journey? In a quiet way, the Centenary gives us a chance to take stock and pause for thought.
Could the Centenary help raise funds for today’s servicemen and their families ?
The Centenary also provides an opportunity to demonstrate our support for today’s servicemen. Every campaign needs a mission and Wokingham’s Great War Centenary is no different. Whilst the Centenary can demonstrate the strength of our history and culture, there is a danger of becoming overwhelmed by the sequence of depressing events of the war. It is true we can no longer do anything to help those families of a hundred years ago, but we can present the Centenary in such a way as to show our appreciation of today’s servicemen who constantly put their lives at risk and for their families who, day by day, await their safe return.
David Dunham of the British Royal Legion will be launching the ‘Wokingham Centenary Poppy Appeal’ on the 28th July 2014 and the appeal will run from that date until the end of the year. Although the main thrust of the Legion’s poppy appeal takes place around November, its fundraising activities continue all year round. David’s commitment and enthusiasm has always made the Poppy appeal a success and he has received superb support from the town’s top fundraisers. The research from Wokingham Remembers will help David turn the symbols of remembrance into real names and faces of people who had real lives, living in streets which are very familiar to us today.
Supporting the ‘Wokingham Centenary Poppy Appeal’
There are a number of events which are already in the pipeline, which could be used to raise money for David’s appeal. The Town Council is committing Wokingham’s Heritage Day to the Centenary, whereby a number of events have already been penciled in. David has signed up for a Bikeathon for the Appeal, which again requires publicity and support. There are bound to be many other fund raising opportunities, which can be given a First World War feel. Are you or the organization you belong to able to help deliver a Centenary Year of which Wokingham can be proud ? The result we hope will be a successful appeal for an outstanding cause which will also provide our community with a knowledge and understanding of its proud culture and history.