THE Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is back with a bang after a two-year absence during the pandemic.

Taunton’s Poppy Appeal organiser Martin Hughes and his team of volunteers will be opening the doors of a ‘pop up’ Poppy Shop in Fore Street on Saturday (October 15) in readiness for the local launch of the annual collection a week later.

He said: "In 2022 the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal will focus on how your poppy shows you care and helps the RBL to continue its vital work supporting the Armed Forces.

"As we pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed during Remembrance this year, we hope you will show your support to all the amazing Poppy Appeal volunteer collectors in and around the town in the next few weeks.

"Without our partners, volunteers and without you, we wouldn't be able to continue supporting serving and ex- serving men and women, and their families."

The shop will be located next to Hotel Chocolat at 14 Fore Street, Taunton, and is open from this Saturday until Saturday, November 12.

2It will be staffed by volunteers between the following times - Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm and Sunday 10am until 4pm.

Paper and enamel pin lapel poppies, wreaths, individual poppy tributes and other poppy-themed items will be available in exchange for a cash or card donation.

To mark the return of the Royal British Legion’s main fundraising period, a series of activities is planned for Saturday, October 22, commencing with a procession by members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch.

The motorcycles will leave Kilkenny Car Park at 10am and make their way slowly to the town centre.

The Mayor of Taunton and the chairman of Somerset West and Taunton Council will greet the Riders and view the displays of historic military vehicles and a Second World War military field hospital along with a giant Dalek before formally launching the appeal during a brief ceremony outside the Monsoon shop in Fore Street, starting at 10.45am and concluding with a minute’s silence at 11am.

Further details can be found online at www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/poppy-appeal