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Poppy wreath-makers given King's birthday honours

News imagePA Media Man in striped shirt holds white flowers on top of red poppy wreath as woman with pearls smiles and prepares to add flowersPA Media
Peter Wills (left) pictured with Queen Camilla in 2013

Two wreath makers who have crafted for the royals for more than 15 years have said they were "very surprised" to be awarded British Empire Medals (BEM).

Peter Wills and Paul Hammerton, both 64, worked at the Poppy Factory in west London, creating remembrance wreaths for memorials across the country, for years when in 2010 they had the chance to train as special makers for the royal household.

The tradition of royal wreath-making dates back to the 1920s, the Poppy Factory said, and wreaths they make are laid at the Cenotaph each year.

Wills and Hammerton were awarded BEMs in the King's Birthday Honours on Friday, which Wills described as "a great honour".

He added: "We were both very surprised to find out we're getting the BEM after making special wreaths together for such a long time. It feels very nice for our work to be recognised in this way.

"It makes us both very proud to see the special wreaths we've worked on being laid at the Cenotaph every year, and it's always a great feeling when we get to meet members of the Royal Family."

'Immensely proud'

Hammerton, of West Drayton, said: "I'm very pleased to now be receiving this great honour from the King."

Wills joined the Poppy Factory in 1983 and Hammerton joined seven years later.

Wills, of Hampton, west London, said: "I'm hard of hearing and Paul is deaf.

"We work facing each other, so we support each other every day, and the Poppy Factory has always been a very supportive place to work.

"We're also both close to our families."

Inside the London poppy factory

Sir David Steel, president of the Poppy Factory, said he was delighted the pair would receive the "tremendous honour" of the BEM.

He added: "Their work requires great practical skill but has national significance, ensuring our continued acknowledgement and gratitude to all those who have given their lives in service."

Al Kett, chairman of the Poppy Factory, said: "In a year in which our charity celebrates 100 years in Richmond upon Thames, it's fitting that two of our longest-serving production team members are to receive this great honour.

"We are all immensely proud of Peter and Paul."

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