15 NOVEMBER 2008, Page 27

They died for this?

Sir: Today, in Ipswich, young girl cadets were selling poppies. I bought one. ‘Would you like a pin to go with it?’ ‘Yes please.’ ‘We can’t actually give you a pin because of health and safety rules; but you’re welcome to pick one out of this card yourself.’ A piece of cardboard with lines of pins embedded in it was duly proffered. I thought of several sarcastic observations; but these were overwhelmed by a mixture of exasperation and sadness, and I walked off still silent. It seems that those commemorated by the poppies gave their lives for an England that has ceased to exist. How fortunate that they cannot see what became of their country.

M. Tinney

Laxfield, Suffolk