WEM will be adorned with large poppies on future Remembrance Days, despite worries over the environmental impact.

Last year Wem Town Council made the decision not to use large plastic poppies on the town's lamp posts, because of concerns over the workload of council staff and whether it would be appropriate for volunteers to take on the role.

A decision was made instead to create a display at the war memorial.

Although this year's memorial service was disrupted because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the question was raised again by Wem resident Matt Hoffman, who wrote to Wem Town council to offer his services in putting up the poppies if council staff were unable to.

Mr Hoffman also suggested funding three flags, representing the three branches of the armed forces for next year's ceremony.

At Wem Town Council's full council meeting, held virtually on Thursday, November 26, councillors discussed Mr Hoffman's proposal.

Councillor Pauline Dee spoke first, airing her concerns at the environmental impact of the plastic poppies and the councils' current workload.

"The reason why we didn't do it [this year] was because of climate change we wouldn't be using any more plastic," she said. "These poppies are made of plastic and because of our clerk is overburdened with work."

Cllr Edward Towers also set his sights on a different style of display.

"I don't want Wem to become the same as everyone else," he said. "I love the idea of flags and less poppies of a commercial nature and continuing what we are doing with the shop windows."

The issue of the environmental impact was also echoed by Cllr Connie Granger, who added: "Although the poppies do look stunning we are talking a lot of plastic so I agree with what Cllr Dee was saying."

But some councillors believed that the plastic nature of the poppies would mean they could be reused in the future.

Cllr Chris Mellings was one of those with this view, saying: "I hear what we're saying about our approach and the distinctness of Wem and that's right, but I think it would be effective for the town and even if it's plastic, plastic lasts a number of years.

"I think the principle for me is the right on."

Fellow councillor Kerry Edge agreed, saying that Wem residents had been upset at the lack of poppies this year.

"I think we have to listen to the Wem people," said Cllr Edge. "There have been a number of angry people who have been quite upset we haven't used these poppies."

Mayor of Wem, Cllr Phil Glover added finally: "These poppies have already been created, we may as well use them."

Following this discussion, councillors voted on the proposal, voting in favour of using the plastic poppies again for 2021.