Waste fleet wear poppies with pride

Published on 4 November 2021

As the Royal British Legion marks 100 years of the poppy appeal, High Peak is once again showing its support for our Armed Forces past and present this November.

High Peak Borough Council and its waste collection partner AES is making a significant donation to the appeal and displaying poppies on fleet vehicles - including the 17 new, more efficient vehicles with Euro-6 engines which reduce harmful pollutants from vehicle exhausts and have already resulted in carbon emissions savings of 88 tonnes.

Jean Todd, Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and Community Safety, said: "Our new fleet of waste collection and recycling vehicles are not only showing their value in terms of air quality and reduced carbon emissions, they're also a great way for the Council and AES to show our support for the Poppy Appeal in this centenary year.

"The poppy has been the symbol of remembrance for the last 100 years and, as the waste vehicles travel of all parts of the Borough, I hope they will encourage people to perhaps take a moment themselves to reflect on the sacrifices and service of our Armed Forces past and present and to consider buying and wearing a poppy themselves."

Remembrance Sunday this year falls on 14 November and public ceremonies are back on the calendar this year after the temporary suspension due to Covid restrictions last year.

In Buxton, former Mayor Councillor Linda Grooby and Deputy Lieutenant Michael Hall, will attend the 11am service at the Cenotaph on the Slopes and music will be provided by Fairfield Band.

The service at the Cenotaph in Glossop's Norfolk Square will be attended by the Mayor of High Peak, Councillor Paul Hardy, and the Deputy Lieutenant David Holtom.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ollie Cross, will attend the morning service at 10am at St Andrew's Church in Hadfield and then join others attending the service at the Cenotaph.

Councillor Todd added: "I know many people will have missed being able to attend these services last year and will be glad to see them return. Whilst people are welcome to attend, it is important to bear in mind that Covid has not gone away and we all need to continue to look after ourselves and others.

"So let's honour our brave service personnel at this year's services by respecting each other and taking sensible steps to curb the spread of the virus."

There's more information about the poppy appeal at www.britishlegion.org.uk/