Volunteers from Southport Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Cadets have spent their Sunday making the Monument in Southport and the gardens around it look spotless in time for next weekend’s Remembrance Sunday celebrations.
They cleared away any rubbish, tidied the gardens; and removed any litter from the fountains in the memorial gardens on Lord Street.
The Cadets were from the University Air Squadron based at RAF Woodvale.
It follows the launch of this year’s Southport Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, which took place on Saturday and was carried out by Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher.
RBL volunteers have now set up a stall next to the Monument where they will be selling poppies and wooden memorial badges throughout the next few days, in all weathers.
Generous cafe owners in town are being invited to keep them warm with the occasional cuppa if they can!
Poppies can also be bought at the Legion’s Veterans Hub on Wesley Street in Southport town centre.
Southport Royal British Legion Chairman Major Nick McEntee said: “These are not just any students, these are University Air Squadron Students. They were up bright and early on Sunday to help make our town even better.
“In readiness for Remembrance and alongside The RBL Southport they were tidying and maintaining the Memorial Garden and War Memorial.
“Did you know our War Memorial and specifically our Cenotaph is the biggest in the UK, outside London?.
“We have a favour to ask. Do we have any friendly cafes – we know we do! – in Southport who would be willing to keep our team warm with hot drinks for the next few days as we continue to collect for the Poppy Appeal?
“Every single one, including our students, are volunteers and we do our very best to look after them but we’d love the town to help too.
“Please message us via the Royal British Legion Southport Facebook page if you would like to support.
“In return we promise to give you a shout out and welcome you into the RBL family.
“If you are in town make sure to say hi and if you’ve a few moments of time to help we’d love that!
“After nearly five hours work, many cups of tea, plenty of banter and a tiny luminous fishing net the team did a miraculous job with the Memorial Garden.
“Our biggest thanks to the University Air Squadron based at RAF Woodvale. What an amazing group of young people. You will see them again on parade at Remembrance Sunday. And they will return throughout the year to keep the garden in check.
“We would also like to thank: Café 1821; The Whistle Stop Cafe; and Marks and Spencer for keeping them fed and watered.
“We would also like to thank Dobbies for doing us the most amazing deal on the new stones you can see around the memorials!
“Our Poppy Team are out for the rest of the week, please go and say hello to them.
“Why not also grab one of the wooden memorial badges to pop near a memorial in the garden.
“Lest We Forget.”
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