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Post by keithp on Oct 21, 2008 0:03:57 GMT
Edit: This is an extract from a post about Hayley's concert in Dunfermline. Richard
Hayley was heading off to Edinburgh airport ready for an early flight tomorrow morning on her way to a 2day trip to Basra as part of the British Legion's poppy appeal. She then has some time back in London before continuing with the tour next Tuesday.
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Post by Libby on Oct 21, 2008 0:13:58 GMT
Hayley's going to Basra? I hadn't heard anything like that. And what exactly is the "poppy appeal"?  |
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Oct 21, 2008 2:00:11 GMT
Hi All! Great to learn of Hayley's continued efforts for the Royal British Legion. Libby...here's some info on the Poppy Appeal... www.poppy.org/ Look who's featured on the page...All Angels! Joe |
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Post by keithp on Oct 21, 2008 7:28:53 GMT
Hayley's going to Basra? I hadn't heard anything like that. I am guessing that most of the performers who go to areas of trouble like Iraq or Afghanistan don't advertise it in advance. Generally they are doing it for the troops who are there rather than publicity back home. Also, why add to the risk by advertising that a world famous star is travelling to these areas? Talking to Hayley last night she was understandably a little apprehensive but looking forward to it. |
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Post by keithp on Oct 21, 2008 7:39:12 GMT
And what exactly is the "poppy appeal"? The Poppy Appeal is the British Legion's way of supporting those who have been through various conflicts and also those who have lost loved ones through the wars. The poppy name came from the John McCrae poem "In Flanders Fields" written about the death and devastation during WW1 in the fighting in Belgium and the fact that after all the deaths in the area, the only thing that grew were red poppies. In the run up to 11th November each year, people in the UK wear red poppies to show they are supporting the British Legion's appeal. I am not old enough to remember that far back  but I believe the 'Poppy Day' started just after the end of the First World War. |
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Post by roger on Oct 21, 2008 10:54:48 GMT
About two weeks ago, I was told that Hayley would be flying out of the country to an unnamed destination. At the time, all information was embargoed pending a press release. All I knew was that it was something to do with the Festival of Remembrance. I haven't seen any press release and, for security reasons, I am a little surprised that Hayley was talking openly about it in Dunfirmline last night but, presumably, that gives us clearance to discuss the trip. Other than the above, I do not have any further information.  Roger |
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Post by grant on Oct 21, 2008 12:35:45 GMT
for security reasons, I am a little surprised that Hayley was talking openly about it in Dunfirmline last night So am I Roger. I think I would have preferred not to know  and I probably won't rest easy until she's safely back home now I do know. However, I know it was talked about around the time of the Classical Brit Awards and it is obviously something Hayley feels she needs to do so we must support her wholeheartedly. "Go for it Hayley, we're rait proud o' thee"Best wishes Grant |
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Post by martindn on Oct 21, 2008 13:05:32 GMT
I was just having a quick look in my lunch hour, expecting that Hayley wound be enduring the long drive back to London, so this came as a bit of a shock!
Again, like you Grant, I doubt the wisdom of mentioning it until she is safely back. I think I'd rather that this had not been publicised.
Martin
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Post by roger on Oct 23, 2008 8:32:48 GMT
This thread was temporarily hidden for security reasons. I am restoring it now because the news of Hayley's trip to Basra has become public knowledge via the official press release. All posts that were made to a new thread in the past few hours are now quoted below: Here's an interesting new story from Sky News involving Hayley:
Poppy Appeal Launches In Iraq
9:47pm UK, Wednesday October 22, 2008
The annual Poppy Appeal is being launched in Basra today.
Poppy Man, the symbol of support for the British Armed Forces personnel past and present, and their families, will visit troops based in the Iraqi city.
Director of National Events and Fundraising, Russell Thompson OBE said it is fitting that the Poppy character should be in the country.
Speaking from Basra, he said: "Poppy Man is here to let them know that the thoughts of British people are very much with the 4,500 British Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and nearly 8,000 others in Afghanistan during this year's Poppy Appeal."
Appearing with Poppy Man is soprano Hayley Westenra, the "Kiwi Songbird," who will raise morale with a performance of songs from her hit albums Treasure and Pure.
The 21-year-old said she was a bit nervous about coming to Basra initially, "but the gallant welcome I've received has more than made it worthwhile".
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice which brought an end to the First World War.
The 2008 appeal is keen to throw the torch to the new generation.
The Royal British Legion hopes to exceed last year's record sum of £30m.
Around 10.5m serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Legion's range of welfare services, which include grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.
The Poppy Appeal takes place in the two-week period running up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9 and Armistice Day on November 11, when the Nation pauses for a two-minutes silence to remember those who sacrificed their lives during service for their country.
Hayley mentioned the trip to us on Monday night in Dunfermline. I initially included comment about this in my report of the show not thinking about the security implications so Roger correctly removed the reference.
I am presuming that, now it is in the public domain, there is no harm in discussing it.
Hayley was certainly a little nervous about the trip but was also looking forward to launching the appeal and performing for the troops in Basra. In her usual manner, I am sure she will have taken it in her stride. I am also confident the troops will have loved her being there performing. Good to see her alive and well on the BBC this morning. Look after her boys! Thanks for that Martin. I presume that we have no representatives on the tour (HW excepted). Photos should appear here:
Please respect the Copyright notice.
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Post by postscript on Oct 23, 2008 10:51:05 GMT
Hi, everyone.
I have been aware of this for some time and I do not know why, perhaps as (Roger?) posted there was loose chat I believe around the Brit Awards time. In fact I was beginning to question in my mind if it hadn't been cancelled as I had not expected to hear until it had happened. However, the purpose is news value for the Legion and the Poppy Appeal, therefore there is a contradiction in priority between safety and news value. World news facilities require knowledge at the time. I believe when other stars have done this sort of trip they have done so in an 'entertainment only' capacity. Arguably Hayley is taking a more dangerous trip as she is helping to promote the Legion and is therefore more in the front line. That could be why she is accompanied by so many of the Legion's administrative top brass. They couldn't sit at home with her out there on her own. She is part of a major media attention on a political world statement. As an 'incidental' to that which is NOT why she agreed to it, it will give her the general world media attention she needs. Maybe a US tour 2009? Another attempt to properly break into the US on the back of a wider media image. Her success with her Ghana work and her other charity initiatives and being now directly involved with the prime concern of the American people, the war in Iraq, she offers a wider personality interest than 'just another young girl singing her heart out'. This is a girl with a deep personality who has many subjects on which she can speak without pontificating or 'name dropping', she is pro-actively involved and knows at first hand what she is talking about. If she's leading the Appeal, maybe a prescence on stage at the Albert Hall?
Peter S.
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Post by roger on Oct 23, 2008 11:05:20 GMT
I have been aware of this for some time and I do not know why, perhaps as (Roger?) posted there was loose chat I believe around the Brit Awards time. Hi Peter, I'm not sure where that has come from. The first I knew of it was two weeks ago when Kathryn mentioned it at Stuart's school. I believe Hayley was only invited to go to Basra comparitively recently and would not have known about it herself at the time of the CBAs. Is it possible that you are thinking of her proposed trip to Afghanistan which was subsequently cancelled? Roger |
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Post by postscript on Oct 23, 2008 11:11:03 GMT
I have been aware of this for some time and I do not know why, perhaps as (Roger?) posted there was loose chat I believe around the Brit Awards time. Hi Peter, I'm not sure where that has come from. The first I knew of it was two weeks ago when Kathryn mentioned it at Stuart's school. I believe Hayley was only invited to go to Basra comparitively recently and would not have known about it herself at the time of the CBAs. Is it possible that you are thinking of her proposed trip to Afghanistan which was subsequently cancelled? Roger Thanks for the clarification. That indeed is 'it'! Peter S. |
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Post by drew on Oct 23, 2008 13:23:43 GMT
Photo now appears:
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Post by Richard on Oct 23, 2008 13:50:00 GMT
Hello Drew and everybody.
There are now several photographs and videos available on the MoD's Defence News Imagery website. I won't attempt to post them because of the copyright restrictions, but I strongly advise everybody to look at them all. After you've logged in, click on the event ID number to see them all. Click on each photograph to enlarge, and right click on the arrow and 'save target as' to watch each video. Hayley was very dignified and respectful as always.
Richard
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Post by drew on Oct 23, 2008 14:03:02 GMT
You can hear Hayley talking on 2081.mpg
You can (just) hear Hayley singing on 2083.mpg
Enjoy and give generously when you see your poppy seller.
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but I believe the 'Poppy Day' started just after the end of the First World War.
and I probably won't rest easy until she's safely back home now I do know.
