WW2 bomber in 50,000-poppy release to mark appeal
Martin KeenAbout 50,000 poppies will be released from a World War Two bomber aircraft to mark the start of a county's annual poppy appeal.
The paper flowers will be let go from beneath the wings of the Avro Lancaster Just Jane at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at 14:00 BST on 24 October.
A service will also be held by the Royal British Legion in the main hangar at the site, which is located on the former RAF East Kirkby, at 11:00.
General manager Andrew Panton said: "It's just a nice way of linking up the site here, the Lancaster, and the poppy appeal itself. It's a full circle thing to be able to bring what's left here at East Kirkby to be relevant to the poppy appeal as well."
He said it was "an honour and a privilege" to have been involved in the launch, which has been held at the site for the past 20 years.
"The poppy release from the Lancaster is something that's more recent. It's just a nice spectacle, a symbol of remembrance that we like to hold."
He said that the poppies are biodegradable and decompose in the ground.
The release will happen after the Lancaster has taxied along the runway. There will also be a chance to see it moving again at 16:00.
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