Bruce & Simon’s 20 mile Poppy walk…

Acres Engineering are very thankful to Bruce and Simon who decided to showcase the Acres Remembrance Poppy whilst on their own fundraising walk.

The two veterans Bruce Spencer and Simon Briggs were both in the Army racking up some 50 years of service between them. Simon was in the Royal Signals and served all over Europe with an operational tour in Bosnia. Bruce started life in the infantry with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters  transferring to  the Adjutant General  Corps after 15 years . He saw service in Iraq, Afghanistan Northern Ireland  and Bosnia and was probably there with Simon but they didn’t meet. Simon settled in Mickleover , whilst Bruce settled  in Nottingham.

Many years after they  both left the army quite unexpectedly Simon ends up and the Chair of the Royal British Legion Branch in Mickleover  and Bruce as the President. After going through COVID and the Remembrance parades in Mickleover were restricted they  came up with the idea ( also known as a wicked plan)  to reintroduce the parade to Mickleover, but there would be some costs because of the now essential traffic management company required to stop the traffic.

With a £2000  bill to meet , they came up with the idea of a sponsored walk from the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which is run by the.RBL to their own RBL in Mickleover. So over a beer in the club bar the plan was born on a sunny day in August . They both checked the route and for good measure had some T shirts made for the day ,by a veteran  who runs a clothing company.

So on 14 October they were dropped off by Bruce’s wife Louise , (who has  seen too many quarters and postings). She questioned the wisdom of two “older men” walking over 20 miles…..

Thankfully the weather stayed fine for the whole journey  and sustained by  some shared pork pies and great  Chicken sandwiches made Simons partner Sonya  they completed the 21 miles in just  over 7 hours.   The route followed the line of the A38, the  up the Trent Canal  through Etwal .

The arrival at the club  was marked by the entire committee , with a ribbon across the gates  for them both to walk through  and appear to claim the prize. Both knackered, they swiftly headed for the bar and then a hot bath . Delightfully it looks like the money has been raised and all the costs will be met. Job done!

Poppies are a symbol of Remembrance and displayed to show support for the Armed Forces community.

We have designed the poppy to be made from steel to represent the strength of character and dedication of those who served in our Armed Forces.

Your poppy can be simply planted in a garden of Remembrance or memorial site. They can also be used at events for educational purposes or as personal decoration within the home.

All profits will be donated to the Royal British Legion. (£1.00 for every Poppy sold.)

As a result of our passion for the Armed Forces, Acres Engineering have been awarded the Gold Covenant award. As well as receiving recognition from both the Royal British Legion and SSAFA.

The poppies were originally designed for National Manufacturing Day where Acres Engineering invited students to assemble their own poppy to take home, free of charge.

To honour the memory of former Ashby School students who have fallen in service, we will be donating 130 poppies to help rejuvenate their memorial.

You can ready all about our Poppy Campaign launch here on the Business Desk news site. Buy your Poppy here.

In May, Acres Engineering Ltd was awarded a certificate by the Royal British Legion’s Vice Lord Lieutenant Colonel John Samuel Wilson OBE DL. The certificate was awarded in recognition of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and the Armed Forces Community of Derbyshire.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

– This is For the Fallen, by Lawrence Binyon.

What is Remembrance?  Buy your Poppy here.