Will recession cast shadow over Poppy Appeal?

That was the question troubling branch officers and volunteers this week.

The Legion machinery has slid smoothly into action once more. Collecting boxes have been distributed to local shops and businesses.

The team of volunteers are at action stations.

But will the hard-pressed public have cash to spare to remember the debt they owe those who continue to suffer as a result of serving their country in time of need?

Asked about this year's response to the annual call for volunteers, Ernie Randall, secretary of Bexhill branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "We are doing very well on that.

"We have got all outlets covered again, in fact we have increased by one or two.

"But we are expecting to be down a bit on the collection because of the recession.

"We had a record collection - 17,000 '“ last year. Whether we do as well this year remains to be seen. It all depends on how generous the public can afford to be.

"Let's just hope...."

Arrangements are also in place for Remembrance Sunday services in the town on November 9.

The parade for the morning service and wreath-laying ceremony at the seafront war memorial will form up at Devonshire Square between 10am and 10.15am.

The parade of ex-service organisations and uniformed youth organisations will march down Devonshire Road to Marina led by piper Brendan Bracken and the Newhaven Youth Marching Band.

The service at the war memorial will begin at 10.45am and will be led by the branch chaplain, the Vicar of St Augustine's, the Rev Robert Coates.

It will include the reading by a member of the Army Cadet Force of local poet Hilary Malpass' latest work for the occasion, The Scars Of War.

A bugler will sound Last Post for the Two Minutes' Silence at 11am followed by Reveille.

Rother chairman Cllr Joanne Gadd and Town Mayor Cllr Patrick Douart will lay the first of the wreaths, followed by members of ex-service and other organisations.

The chairman and the mayor will take the salute from the steps of the De La Warr Pavilion as the parade returns to Devonshire Square.

The traditional afternoon service of remembrance including the parade of standards will again be held at St Augustine's Church in Cooden Drive at 3pm and will be taken by the Rev Coates.

Little Common branch of the Royal British Legion has already announced its Remembrance Sunday arrangements, including the customary parade from Legion headquarters in Meads Avenue to St Mark's Church followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the village war memorial.