Watching one of our few remaining First World War veterans launch this year's appeal moved me enormously. Surely these people who think the poppy is from World War Two MUST have wondered why Harry Patch, aged 109, was in the spotlight?

Years ago, my dad helped with Sudbury's poppy appeal and parade and I remember as a little girl putting poppies together in the front room at home.

He used to bark the orders at the start of the town's parade and, even now, although he's longer with us, I still hear him in my mind as I stand on Market Hill every Remembrance Sunday.

It is good to see so many people wearing their poppies year after year.

I bought one last week, dropped it on the floor at home and the puppy got hold of it.

Let's just say it looked nothing like a poppy after he'd finished with it.

My children know full well why the poppy is the symbol that it is, about the trench warfare and the hideous conditions the First World War soldiers fought in.

Wearing a poppy seems more apt every year, as our soliders continue to find themselves in dangerous parts of the world and the Royal British Legion does an amazing job supporting them if they need it.

I'm sure we'll remember past conflicts this Sunday, but let us also remember those fighting today, whether we agree with the cause or not, and their families waiting for them to come home safely.


The latest mega-survey on what we should and shouldn't be eating was released last week. If you took it to heart it would probably mean a scrap of red meat here and there, none of this, that and the other and plenty of fruit and vegetables.

The traditional English breakfast is now a no-no apparently, according to one expert.

It can't be! There's something incredibly satisfying about a Sunday morning fry-up with, dare I say it, a bit of black pudding on the side.

Considering the ingredients in that, I am surprised the food police haven't made it illegal, but I like it and I'm sure I'm not the only one ... and don't get me started on bacon!