The launch of the Poppy Appeal took place last Saturday (25 October) in Cwmbran town centre.
Gary Mapletoft, chair of the newly relaunched Pontnewydd Royal British Legion (RBL) branch, told Cwmbran Life: “Today was all about launching the Poppy Appeal within the Pontnewydd and Cwmbran area.
“That is part of the way that we get people to remember those people that we’ve lost, but also the continuing struggle that some people have when they come back from war.”
The speakers at the service were:
- Pontnewydd RBL Chair – Gary Mapletoft
- Reverend Brian Pippen
- Nick Thomas-Symonds MP
- Lord Lieutenant; Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE CstJ
- Keith Thorne – Exhortation & Kohima
Gary said that 2025 was a special year because the cenotaph in Pontnewydd is now 100-years-old. His branch is working with Cwmbran Community Council to hold a re-dedication service in December as part of the landmark’s centenary year.
Pontneydd’s Remembrance Sunday (Sunday 9 November) parade will assemble from a new location.
People taking part will assemble at TS Kittwake on Mount Pleasant Road at 10.25am and leave from outside the nearby Ladywell housing complex at 10.30am, walking to the cenotaph for the service. The service will start at 10.45am.
Support the Poppy Appeal
Donate to the Poppy Appeal here.