Young people in Ellesmere have been praised for their involvement in commemorating the centenary of the First World War and supporting the Poppy Appeal.

Volunteers from the local branch of the Royal British Legion took the message of Remembrance to pupils at Ellesmere primary and Criftins C of E primary in the run-up to Armistice Sunday and received an enthusiastic response.

The presentation included a Roll of Honour display featuring 68 local men and one woman who died in the conflict, together with other material compiled by the Friends of Ellesmere Library and memorabilia on loan from the Welsh Guards Museum at Park Hall.

There was more support for the Legion when children from the 2nd Ellesmere Brownies (Monday night group) took part in the annual Poppy concert at the town’s Comrades club for the first time. They delighted the audience with a selection of First World War songs. Also on the bill was local youngster-- 18 year old soprano soloist Seren Devismes, a student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, together with the Coppice Singers and members of the Ellesmere Amateur Dramatic Society.

Young people – including Brownies, Beavers, Scouts, Guides, Army and Air Cadets – joined old soldiers in a parade to Ellesmere parish church for the annual Remembrance Sunday service.

Legion branch president Bob McBride said: “It’s been touching to see so many young people involved in the commemorations. We were tremendously impressed by how much the children had learnt about the First World War, its impact on Britain and other countries, and the significance of the Poppy. Our community should feel very proud of their efforts and reassured that these youngsters will carry the message of remembrance forward to the next generation.”

Ellesmere Poppy Appeal organiser Lynn Howard said more than £9,000 had so far been raised since this year’s fund-raising began. “We’re very grateful to everyone for their generosity in this special anniversary year. Last year’s appeal raised a record £12,300 and the way things are going we could be on course to set a new record.”