Stafford Poppy Appeal 2026 launches with music and community support at Gatehouse Theatre

Children from two Stafford schools joined local musicians and dignitaries for a special afternoon marking the launch of this year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre was packed on Monday 19 October as the town came together to mark the launch of the 2026 Poppy Appeal.

The event, organised by Paul Milgate Scarrott, brought together local schoolchildren, musicians and distinguished guests for an afternoon celebrating community spirit and support for the Royal British Legion.

Pupils from Castlechurch School and Yarlet School took part in the launch, alongside Laura Stanyer and Martin Paul from The Naked Sundays.

The afternoon also featured two award-winning young musicians, Maria Kelly, Staffordshire Young Musician Intermediate Vocalist 2025, and Ailish Steele, Staffordshire Young Musician of the Year 2025.

Among those attending were the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Professor Liz Barnes CBE, and the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Mark Winnington, accompanied by the Mayoress.

Their attendance reflected the importance of the annual appeal to the town and the wider Staffordshire community.

The Reverend John Davis MBE, President of the Stafford Branch of the Royal British Legion, praised the organisation of the event and thanked the people of Stafford for their continued generosity.

John Davis MBE, Stafford branch Royal British Legion president:

‘Paul Milgate Scarrott organised another super Poppy Launch and we hope to raise many thousands of pounds over the following weeks of the appeal, we are always very grateful for the support of the people of Stafford’.

With the 2026 Poppy Appeal now underway, organisers are hoping the town's continued generosity will help raise thousands of pounds over the coming weeks.

The packed theatre provided a fitting start to this year's fundraising efforts, with Stafford's schools, musicians and local community coming together in support of the appeal.

Why the Signal exists

Real news takes time. Thanks for taking yours.

You've just read a story that took time to get right. No clickbait, no racing to be first, no ads chasing you down the page.

I started The Staffordshire Signal because I got fed up of local news that chased clicks instead of stories. We're independent, not-for-profit, IMPRESS-regulated and owned right here, so we answer to nobody but you.

The honest bit: local news only survives if local people choose it. If we don't, it goes.

Jenna GoodwinFounder and Editor, The Staffordshire Signal

Love what we do?

Buy us an oatcake! Cheese and bacon, if you're feeling generous. Every tip goes straight into local reporting.

Buy us an oatcake

Miss a proper paper?

Staffordshire's only regional printed magazine, full of stories worth sitting down with, delivered to your door.

Get it delivered

Follow on WhatsApp

Our stories, dropped straight into your phone. No group chat chaos, we promise.

Join the channel

What's On

Find something good to do this week

Markets, gigs, history talks and family days out across Staffordshire. Running an event? Add it to our guide and let the county know.

See what's on Add your event

For local businesses

Run a Staffordshire business?

Our readers keep the Signal going, and the businesses who advertise with us help keep it free for everyone. Reach people who read to the end, across our magazine, Signal Weekly, Signal TV and website.

Enquire about advertising