A POPPY seller who has been a familiar sight in Maldon High Street for the last 20 years was out braving wind and rain again yesterday (Monday, 2 November) in a bid to keep funds coming in before lockdown.

Douglas Scurrey was in place outside the town's war memorial where many wreaths have already been laid and telling how he hopes people will continue donating to this year's Poppy Appeal online in this strangest of years. And it was clear the dark drizzle and relentless bluster of the day was failing to dampen his determination to carry out the annual duty.

Douglas talks with pride about his father's service in World War Two and of the physical and mental scars the experience of conflict must have left on so many with little or no chance in those days of help or counselling.

"Once he was back home and after everything that had happened to him, he just got on the train and went back to work," Douglas said, "there must have been so many who were so badly affected for the rest of their lives.

"I often wonder what I would have been like if it had happened in our time – how I would have responded and acted. I've hoped I would have been like him."

Anyone who wants to contribute to this year's Poppy Appeal online can do so by visiting The Royal British Legion website here.