SIR, As you will have seen and read, the field of ceramic poppies being created in the moat of the Tower of London, will hold 888,246 poppies in its display when this living memorial has been completed. Already the moat seems to have been filled almost to overflowing. Called "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red", this memorial has great visual impact; it is beautiful but at the same time is a shocking reminder of the scale of casualties, and the loss endured by British families as a result of the First World War. The Poppy, our national symbol of Remembrance, has been used to great effect to create a memorial quite fitting for this the 100th anniversary year of the start of a devastating war, the so called "War to End All Wars", if only that had proved to be the case. In our own modest way, here in Monmouth, as in towns and villages throughout the land, we are starting to prepare for the national act of Remembrance taking place this year on Sunday 9th November, and we will be using the 100th Anniversary as our theme, of that I have no doubt. To this end the Poppy Appeal has begun, and as usual you will be able to buy your poppy from street collectors or in many venues in the town and elsewhere. I am sure you know that the Appeal helps to fund the vital work of the Royal British Legion supporting veteran sailors, soldiers and airmen, and their dependents if they fall on hard times through wounding or in death, as well as a host of other problems that can beset them. Please give generously. Thank you. Toby Elliott OBE DL (President Royal British Legion Monmouth)