The annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal was launched in late October but its not just people who will be wearing poppies in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday as once again trams are doing the very same thing! So far, both Blackpool and Sheffield have got off the mark with poppies on their vehicles.
This is just a small mark of respect given towards those who lost their lives in conflicts around the world. It’s the main fundraising campaign for the Royal British Legion who help veterans and their families with over 22,000 helped in 2024.
It has become traditional in recent years for various transport companies to also show their respect and for trams that usually means a poppy being affixed to the vehicles, in varying positions depending on the type of tram.
South Yorkshire Supertram have also announced that they will be offering free travel on Sunday 9th and Tuesday 11th November to armed forces personnel (in uniform of presenting military ID), MOD90 cards, veterans wearing medals, a veterans badge or showing a veterans ID card, or any other official documentation.
Nigel Wragg, Commercial Manager at Supertram, said: “We are proud to honour all who served our country as well as those who currently serve. “By offering free Supertram travel, we hope to support veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel attend local events.”
Blackpool were an early adopted of the poppy in 2025 with 016 already so adorned on 17th October. The poppies in Blackpool are carried within the driver’s cab.
Whilst in Sheffield the original Siemens-Duewag trams usually carry their poppies on the outside of the cab. 107 shows us the position at Cathedral on 24th October 2025. (Both Photographs by Ryan Hartley)