North Tyneside’s Young Mayor is keeping a long-standing family tradition alive after signing up to the Royal British Legion.
Poppy Arnold, a student at Marden High School, has become a youth member of the organisation which provides support for the Armed Forces community.
She follows in the footsteps of her great-grandfather Robert Wheatley who was heavily involved in the work of the Legion.
Her other great-grandfather Arthur Bardgett served in the Second World War and fought in the Battle of Dunkirk and his wife Mildred was an ambulance driver.
Robert Wheatley CBE was a Brigadier in the Royal Engineers and helped design various airstrips and prisons, among other things. He spent his entire life in the army, mostly serving in India and the Middle East.
Poppy, who will turn 13 on November 11 - Remembrance Day - and was named after the day itself, said: “My great-granddad Wheatley was a staunch supporter of the British Legion all his life but he died when my mum was pregnant and doesn’t know that I was born on Poppy day.
“His dad wasn’t allowed to fight in the First World War because he was a miner at Woodhorn colliery and coal was vital to the war effort.
“It’s a really big honour to join the Royal British Legion, especially for my family, and it’s great to be involved with them.”
Poppy, who was elected North Tyneside’s Young Mayor in February 2018, is also taking a central role in the Remembrance Day commemorations and First World War Armistice centenary.
She joined Chair of the Council, Cllr Tommy Mulvenna, to launch this year’s poppy appeal in North Tyneside at the Forum Shopping Centre in Wallsend and at the Beacon Shopping Centre in North Shields.
She will also be attending the Remembrance Sunday service in Whitley Bay on 11 November where she will read a moving poem, Tribute to the Millions.
In addition, Poppy and her Young Cabinet previously agreed to use some of the Young Mayor’s fund to buy a commemorative Tommy soldier silhouette on behalf of young people in the borough.
The statue has been permanently installed near the cenotaph on The Links outside Spanish City in Whitley Bay.
She said: “It’s really great for the community and the spirit to look back and remember all the soldiers who fought for us because it’s very personal to me as well.
“It’s important to raise awareness of their sacrifices, especially among the younger generation and it’s been brilliant to get the support of my Young Cabinet in funding the Tommy statue.”
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “As Young Mayor Poppy is a fantastic ambassador for young people in the borough and I am delighted that she has honoured the memory of her ancestors by joining the Royal British Legion.
“It really is wonderful to see our young people getting involved in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and this serves as inspiration to all of us.”
Michael Dale MBE, Chairman, Whitley Bay, North Shields and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, added: “It is great to have the Young Mayor join our branch. We are always looking for new members and Poppy helps shake off the stereotypical image people have of our members.
“Anyone can join the Royal British Legion as long as they have an interest in the work we do and we are really looking forward to seeing Poppy join us at some of our events to help promote that idea.”
Cllr Gary Bell, North Tyneside Council’s Armed Forces Champion and Branch Secretary of the Royal British Legion’s Forest Hall branch, said: “It is great to see young members joining as the work Royal British Legion carries out for veterans, serving personnel and families is life changing. We need a new generation to get involved to continue this vital work.”
The Spanish City First World War event will take place on Sunday 11 November from 12pm until 5pm.
Entertainment will be provided by local bands and singers including Linskill Community Choir, Backworth Male Voice Choir, Whitley Women Community Choir, Killingworth Community Choir and Bay Uke.
The Tribute to the Millions statement will be read by the Young Mayor, followed by the bugler who will play the Last Post. The World War One Beacon of Light will also be lit. For further details click here.
Click here for a full list of events and commemorations taking place around North Tyneside.