CIVIC officials in Wareham have agreed to mark the Royal British Legion’s landmark 90th anniversary with a street party on the Queen’s official birthday weekend.
The Wareham Great Poppy Street Party will take place in East Street and will include a number of Purbeck veterans who are being assisted by the legion.
Proceeds will help fund five UK recovery centres with a combined cost of £53million.
At least one of these centres, tailored to providing specialist care for troops who have suffered extreme injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan, is likely to be built in Dorset, according to street party chairman Cllr Malcolm Russell.
Bovington Garrison, home of the Royal Armoured Corp – which was presented the freedom of the district last year – will provide a Panther patrol vehicle and crew for the street party.
Coun Russell said: “I cannot begin to comprehend the horrific scenes we see on television of troops without limbs, possibly mentally scarred, by indescribable experiences at the battle front. The Great Poppy Party is a super idea to celebrate the legion’s 90th birthday. We all intend having great family fun, but we are not forgetting that we need to raise some funding for these important projects that will help our current servicemen and women adjust to life back home.”
Wareham Town Council agreed to help organise the event after an official request from the Royal British Legion. Coun Russell said: “Wareham has and always will stand shoulder to shoulder with our courageous servicemen and women.”
The street party takes place on June 12.
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