Seeing red in memory

Nov 2 2007 By Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM'S gone poppy crazy, with the city a sea of giant red poppies as the countdown begins to Remembrance Sunday.

Buildings in central streets are proudly displaying 3ft high plastic poppies.

Businesses were approached by the Royal British Legion's fund-raisers and asked to make a donation of around £500 depending on the size of the poppy, if they took one.

Among the companies paying their respects are bars, hotels and restaurants in Broad Street, the Birmingham Mail and Brindleyplace.

Also displaying poppies are all city council buildings, including the Council House and ICC.

Jim McDonald, chairman of the Birmingham county branch of the British Legion, said: "We are thrilled that so many businesses took our poppies as it's a visible way of getting our message across and makes such a difference to our funds."

Birmingham's main Remembrance Sunday parade is outside the Hall of Memory in Centenary Square, starting at 10am.

Shard End has its own march, meeting at The British Legion in Hurst Lane at 10.15am, and finishing at All Saints Church in Ownall Road.

Bartley Green's will be at the war memorial in Romsley Lane.

Other Birmingham parades will be held in Vicarage Road, Sutton Coldfield; Perry Common Road, Perry Common and at Pype Hayes in Tyburn Road. There will also be events in Shirley and Solihull.