This year, in common with just about everything else, responding to Poppy Day is going to be difficult.  No house-to-house collections are allowed; no-one can wave a tray of poppies at you until you put some money into a tin.  So we are going to be dependent on trays and collection boxes at a few static collection points across the village – and on people having some actual cash in their pockets! – or online giving. 

There will be trays and collection boxes at Phillips Garage, St Dominic’s School, the Village Shop, St Peter’s Church, Hambledon Nursery School, the Merry Harriers and the Hydon Hill Cheshire Home from 23 October until Remembrance Sunday, which is on 8 November.  So during those dates do try to have some cash with you (or a cheque made payable to The Royal British Legion) which you can pop into a collecting box if you find yourself in any of these places (or outside, waiting for your coffee or your shopping, in the case of the Village Shop).

If it’s going to be easier for you to give online, just visit the Royal British Legion website and follow one of the donation options.  Anything you give online won’t, of course, feature in the total donated by Hambledon and Hydestile residents; but that doesn’t matter – it’s the giving that counts.  And giving online has the added advantage of being able to attract Gift Aid, which ups your donation by 25 per cent.

There will be a short Remembrance Day service at St Peter’s Church on Sunday 8 November, from 10.30—11.15 am (see the Church website for details).  The collection for the Royal British Legion will be via envelopes in the pews so, once again, please have some cash or a cheque handy.