Richmond Society members and guests gathered at The Poppy Factory on Thursday 19 May to explore the new visitor centre and hear the story of the charity in its centenary year.

Barry May, Chairman, said: “There is so much history bound up in the place. The Poppy Factory is such an inspirational gem at the heart of Richmond, doing such fabulous work. It deserves to be better known and visited by all who live here.”

The Poppy Factory moved to Richmond in 1926 from Old Kent Road, where it had opened four years earlier. A rapidly expanding workforce of wounded and injured veterans needed bigger premises. Flats were built on site for the workers and their families and within a few years, a thriving community had been established.

Since then, The Poppy Factory has developed into a national charity. All funds raised through the visitor centre are used to help veterans with health conditions move towards all kinds of employment, across England and Wales.