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GMPTA NEWS RELEASE
6 November 2008 Poppy tram runs through Greater Manchester A special poppy tram will run on the Metrolink network in Greater Manchester until 11 November as part of the Armistice Day commemorations. The Lancashire Fusiliers tram, which is named after the historic regiment, has been decorated with poppies in support of the Royal British Legion's annual appeal. Councillor Keith Whitmore, Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "I'm pleased we've been able to help remind people of the importance of the poppy appeal by decorating the Lancashire Fusiliers tram. "It's now 90 years since the end of the First World War but the poppy appeal is still as important as it has ever been. People can donate to the appeal in bus stations and GMPTE Travelshops across Greater Manchester." The fusiliers were formed on 5 November 1688 and have been involved in the American War of Independence, the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars. They were originally called the 20th Foot and changed their name to the 20th Lancashire Fusiliers on 1 July 1881. They merged with three other regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Dennis Laverick, a Metrolink tram driver, was a member of the fusiliers from 1964 to 1972. He said: "Both my father and grandfather were in the Lancashire Fusiliers so it's very important to my family. My grandfather served in both the first and second world wars, and my father served in the Second World War. "There's a new fusiliers museum opening in the centre of Bury next year so people will be able to travel on the fusilier tram to get there. I'm pleased the tram has been decorated with poppies as part of the Armistice Day commemorations." Tony Dale, who also works for Metrolink, was also member of the fusiliers from 1975 to 1987. He said: "The fusiliers are continuing to play an important role in our armed forces. I served in Northern Ireland for two and a half years and since then the regiment has been to both Afghanistan and Iraq. "Everyone notices the Metrolink trams when they visit Manchester so I'm pleased we've been able to decorate the Lancashire Fusiliers tram with poppies. I hope it will help to remind people of the importance of the poppy appeal." Trams will not run in Manchester city centre between 10am and 12.30pm on Sunday 9 November due to the Remembrance Sunday commemorations in St Peter's Square. Services will run between Altrincham and G-Mex, Eccles and G-Mex and between Bury and Victoria. |