Exploring* Poppy Appeal pistil pins.
October 21st 2023 - Stewart Ainslie.
A poppy pin proposal.
Every year, I make donations to Royal British Legion through their Poppy Appeal. I’m one of those people who’s rarely seen without a poppy on my lapel during the run up to Rememberance Sunday. And I’m not alone. In the UK, it’s hard to miss the iconic poppy and the Poppy Appeal volunteers, in our communities.
It was great seeing the redesign of the poppy in 2023. But over the weeks that followed, and during October-November 2024, I relised that my problem with the poppy had little to do with the plastic stem and everything to do with the longevity of my multiple poppy purchases.
You see, I’m that person that loses multiple poppies throughout the campaign.
Background: Paper poppies
In 2023, the Poppy Appeal solved a problem with the iconic poppy, replacing plastic components with a fully paper based flower. It’s a beautiful object and “has a 40% smaller carbon footprint”.
Above: The paper Poppy by Matter and James Cropper. Image © James Cropper
I think this is a brilliant step. This little exploration takes the paper poppy and pushes one step futher. My exploration won’t be for everyone, but it doesn’t need to be for anyone but me.
Pin my poppy on!
I’ll doubtless lose a handful of poppies on the run up to rememeberance Sunday.
With that in mind, I propose a little solution for my personal problem. So as to avoid losing the little pin which comes with each poppy and allow me to pin any paper poppy to my coat.
This isn’t groundbreaking stuff, simply another kind of pin…
Proposing: The ‘Pistil Pin’
A simple solution is the good old fashioned enamel pin badge. The Poppy Appeal and Poppy Scotland already sell enamel pins on their respective webstores.
This little idea could supplement the range with a handful of pins which could tailor each pistil by year, subject or location. A prototype item would simply be a black pistil with ‘Poppy Appeal’ embossing.
Scamp: The pistil pin
A rough proof of concept (three images).
There are plenty of messages which could be added to a poppy pistil pin. These examples are drawn from the kinds of things which already exist in the Poppy Appeal campaign.
DIY Pistil Pin
Whilst I wait for the Poppy Appeal to sell me an official Pistil Pin, I’ve found a placeholder product with very little searching. This will do me for 2023, perhaps in future years I can increase my donation with an endorsed Pistil Pin from the Poppy Appeal or Poppy Scotland store!
*Nobody asked me to explore this idea. I was at a loose end on a train. This isea is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Poppy Appeal.
It would be nice if they used it of course, and great if I was the inspiration!