The worldwide use of the poppy as a sign of remembrance started after World War One.
Papaver rhoeas is variously known as the common, red, corn, field, or Flanders poppy, and can be found growing in the wild across most of the world.
Poppy seeds need light to grow, but they can survive
in the soil for over 80 years without sprouting. If they are then disturbed and brought into the light , the seeds will soon start to grow. In the Flanders region of Belgium, heavy fighting tore the ground apart and the previously-buried seeds began to bloom.
The poppy that we wear on Remembrance Day is all thanks to two women: America's Moina Michael and France's Anna Guerin. In the early 1920's they believed the poppy had the potential to help raise funds for those families suffering from war in different countries.
The very first poppy appeal in 1921 saw the sale of a reported 1.5 million french fabric poppies, which raised a huge sum at that time of £106.000. Today the poppy appeal raises nearly £50 million to support the men, women and families of those who have served in the armed forces.
We at Mile Lane News & Post Office would like to thank our many customers who have generously bought their poppies from our store, to help continue the great work that these two women started all those years ago, to help all those who are affected by war.
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