From Bonfire Night fireworks displays to the launch of the Broadmead Christmas Market, Bristol families are spoilt for choice with seasonal activities this weekend.
For those enjoying the festivities in the city centre this Saturday (November 5), the Royal British Legion (RBL) will also be on hand to provide free entertainment as part of its annual Bristol City Poppy Day appeal. Starting at 10.30am, the RBL will treat shoppers at The Galleries shopping centre to a full day of music, including performances from the Bristol Military Wives Choir and the RAF Military Jazz Band.
After an official opening, the event kicks off with RBL vocalist Tune Whitfield at 10.45am, followed by the Military Wives Choir at 11.30am and the RAF Military Jazz Band at 12.15pm. Harpist Lizzy Bennie will be dazzling listeners from 1.00pm and giving children the opportunity to have a go themselves on some special mini harps.
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Singers from Fiji will be performing from 2.00pm, followed by the Military Jazz Band and local artist Marns at 4.45pm. Volunteers and personnel from all three branches of the British Armed Forces, as well as a few Star Wars Stormtroopers, will be handing out poppies and collecting donations at multiple locations across the city centre.
Guests throughout the day will include Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol Peaches Golding OBE, Commander Tom Dorman of HMS Prince of Wales, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Trevelion, Army Civil Engagement Task Force Commander for Bristol, and the actor Katy Carmichael who played Twist Morgan in the Channel 4 sitcom Spaced and Lucy Barlow on Coronation Street.
Speaking about the event, the RBL’s community fundraiser for Bristol Wendy Holt said: "Even though there are rail strikes affecting travel to the city, we hope that those visiting and coming into Bristol will show their support and, as ever, show their generous spirit by wearing their poppy to show the Armed Forces community that they care and recognise the incredible sacrifices those who have served, are serving and their families make.”
The RBL helps members of the Armed Forces community and their dependents through its welfare services and financial support, which includes cost-of-living crisis grants, guidance and advice. With inflation hitting the nation so hard, the RBL has said that it understands some people simply won’t be able to afford to make their usual donations this year.
But the fundraisers insist that every gift, no matter how small, makes a significant impact as many of the fund's beneficiaries are acutely vulnerable to rising costs, with veterans more likely to be sick or disabled than UK adults of the same age. Wendy added: “We believe that anyone who has served to protect our freedom should never be disadvantaged because of the sacrifices they have made, and so every donation helps the RBL to support those who need it."
This year it will be easier than ever to donate, with contactless collection points across the city and volunteers providing poppies and pins for those wishing to show their support.
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