Some of the large poppies placed on lamposts in Nolton Street, Bridgend, by the Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Day were torn down on Saturday night
Vandals have torn down large poppies that were hung from lampposts by the Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Sunday .
The damage was done overnight on Saturday on Nolton Street in Bridgend .
A report of the damage posted on Facebook on Sunday morning provoked outrage from dozens of residents, who branded those responsible "morons" and "immature idiots with no respect".
Town trader Steven Bletsoe posted: "Just a note to the morons who ripped down poppies off the lampposts on Nolton Street overnight.
"I hope that next Sunday you take a moment to remember those who fought and died to maintain the lifestyle that you now lead. Young people who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy. Lest We Forget."
"I assume they were drunk", said Councillor David White , vice president of the Bridgend branch of the Royal British Legion.
David, a former town mayor, and his wife Jacqueline had hung the poppies from the lampposts in the town centre at 6am one morning.
And while they were disappointed to find five had been pulled down and broken on Sunday morning, they set to work straight away replacing those that had been ripped.
"We did it for the first time in our mayoral year in 2015 and received such a positive response from the public we felt we had to do them again this year," said Coun White.
"Next year, if possible, I would like every shop to put one in their window. It's about showing that as a town we support our Armed Forces and recognise the sacrifices they made and continue to make for us.
"We have showed that it doesn't matter what damage they do or the reasons why they do it, we will keep on putting them up.
"My mother is a war widow and I lost my father aged four due to the development of cancer resulting from nuclear testing.
"I have some understanding of the sacrifices families have to make and this is why I support the Royal British Legion."
He said the fact the Bridgend branch raised £57,000 in last year's Poppy Appeal shows how much local people care.
He also praised the young Cadets, Scouts, Cubs and Guides who give up their own time to manage the poppy stalls throughout the town.
"They are fantastic kids who don't get the credit they deserve," he said.
Bridgend's Remembrance Day Parade and Service will take place on Sunday. Led by the City of Swansea Pipe Band, the parade will muster outside the Civic Office on Angel Street from 10.15am.
The parade will make its way to the War Memorial in Dunraven Place for a service conducted by the Rev R Wheeler and wreath laying at 10.50am. The Bridgend Male Choir and Lewis Merthyr Band will be in attendance.
There will also be a short act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Friday at 11am, where a two-minute silence will be observed.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/vandals-tear-down-large-poppies-12139997
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