Remember Remember 11th November

I know I said I wasn’t going to post at the weekend but earlier this week I was asked by the Royal British Legion to get involved with their campaign #MyPoppy. They asked me to post a bunch of poppy-inspired homewares to remind people why they should buy, and wear, a poppy.

Well there wasn’ that much Poppy stuff about that I was mad about so I thought than rather than do that, I would just show you this beautiful MissPrint Poppy wallpaper (which doesn’t come in red) and ask you, if you had a moment, to remember how important the work of the British Legion is.

I’m pretty sure you all do already, in which case you can just admire this paper. I really need to find a place to use this. I have in mind to paint the kitchen cupboards black and I wonder about lining the inside of the doors with this paper which would make my heart sing a little every time I opened the door. What do you think?

Anyway Poppy Day; it’s not just about remembrance, although obviously that is key, but also about welfare for the modern veterans too, which I’m ashamed to say I sometimes forget. A few years ago, I was invited to the Trooping of the Colour ceremony and while we were sitting in stands on a broiling hot day and crossing our fingers that none of the soldiers in those massive bearskins would pass out (one did) we realised that nearly everyone was wearing a service medal.

There was a long period when you could join the Armed Forces and never see active service. I remember advertisements in the 1980s when they were selling the Army as a way to travel the world for free. There was no mention of having to do any, you know, actual fighting.

Sadly, these days, the chances of going to war are all too high. Now, I’m an interiors writer and I mainly get excited about cushions, so I hope you won’t mind the change of pace for just one day. Perhaps if you see a person rattling a poppy tin over the next few days that you will spare a thought for those that fought before and those that are fighting now and who will need looking after when they return.

And when you’re wearing your poppy, The Royal British Legion asked me to ask you to tweet with the hashtag #MyPoppy to help them spread the message.

That’s all. Have a lovely Saturday and, while I’m telling everyone what to do remember to check the bonfire for hedgehogs.