THE giant poppies are back and gracing the lampposts and trees throughout Haslemere town centre, Wey Hill, Grayswood and Beacon Hill as part of this year’s Poppy Appeal collections.

Following the official launch of the appeal in Surrey at Guildford Cathedral, last Friday, it is the second year the poppies have come to town, with the giant red blooms spreading this year to more areas of Haslemere, and to Grayswood and Beacon Hill.

Michael Barnes, Poppy Appeal Organiser for Haslemere, Grayswood, Critchmere and Shottermill, joined fellow collectors and organisers at Haslemere railway station, where several of the giants are displayed on the forecourt to publicise this year’s local collections.

Thousands of pounds are collected at Haslemere station alone, both with a box inside the newsagents and from the volunteer collectors on duty outside.

He was joined by former town councillor Brian Howard, who has co-ordinated the lamppost displays, Waverley Borough and Haslemere town councillor Jim Edwards, who is also helping to organise this year’s appeal, long-time collector James Rapp and Nick Hammonds, newsagent at the railway station.

A record £25,144.34 was collected in and around the town in 2014, and this year it is hoped to at least equal that amount, or exceed it.

Mr Howard said: “Last year, Haslemere Town Council together with The Shottermill Great War Memorial Trust, supported a local initiative to put giant poppies on many of our lamp posts on major roads.

“Last year, the initiative raised in excess of £800 and the organisers have great hopes of beating that figure this year.”

As well as donations from the town council and the trust, the public could also acquire a giant poppy mounted on a stick, with a £20 donation sought.

This year the offer is being made again so that anyone can display them, whether at commercial or private addresses.

They are available from Marley Flowers in the High Street.

Residents can also club together to display a giant version on their streets.

Volunteers from the appeal will go along to erect them on lampposts or trees. Anyone interested can contact Mr Howard through Marley Flowers.

People can now make a donation and collect their Royal British Legion coat poppies and badges from poppy boxes and collecting tins held by Tesco, Waitrose, Haslemere Station, most local businesses, schools, care homes, churches, Haslemere Hospital, the town’s health centre, and the minor injuries and outpatients unit.

In addition, Haslemere 1268 Air Cadet Squadron collects up to £3,000 each year.

Flight Lieutenant Kevin Burchett has agreed for the cadets to collect again this year in Tesco, on Saturdays and Sundays, until November 7.

Mr Barnes said: “Their magnificent efforts in 2014 produced £1,843.34 which was more than seven per cent of our final total of £25,144.34.”

He said this year’s collections had already got off to a flying start, with more collected at this stage of the appeal than ever before.

“Your contributions really do make a difference as we stand shoulder to shoulder with all who serve our country in these exacting times,” he added.

House-to-house collections in and around Haslemere have also started.

Altogether there are 120 volunteers who will be out with boxes of poppies for the street collections throughout the town and at the station starting on Saturday, continuing until 11am on Remembrance Day, which is on Wednesday, November 11, when a short service will be held at the town’s High Street War Memorial.

Mr Barnes estimates he has spent 110 hours co-ordinating collections over 11 years.

He is thinking about standing down as organiser next year and is looking for two or three people to take on the role between them.

The town’s Remembrance Service and parade is on Sunday, November 8, in the town centre, and there are also services and parades being staged in surrounding villages.

He added: “Please wear your poppy with pride as we remember all those men and women who gave their lives or suffered injuries whilst serving our country.

“Many of our young service men and women continue to work in considerable danger resulting all too often in the loss of lives or suffering serious and life changing injuries.

“The Royal British Legion, through your generosity provides them and their dependents with financial and psychological support when they are at their most vulnerable.

“We ask everyone in Haslemere, Grayswood, Shottermill, Critchmere and visitors to our town to give generously to this worthy and commendable cause.”