As part of “London Poppy Day,” commuters will be hearing the voices of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Chelsea captain John Terry on the London Underground today, filling in for the generic announcers. In aid of the Royal British Legion's annual appeal, Wenger, Terry, and countless other football stars will be voicing announcements such as the famous “Mind the gap,” with each star matched to their clubs respective stadium. For example, at the Seven Sisters, Tottenham Hale and Tottenham Court Road underground stations, announcements will be voiced by Tottenham Hotspur's Andros Townsend and Ben Davies, whilst QPR's Joey Barton and Rob Green will be heard at White City and Shepherd's Bush Marker, and commuters at Putney Bridge and Parson's Green will be treated to the dulcet tones of Fulham's Scott Parker and Dan Burn.
Photo: John Terry
London Underground commuters will be hearing the voices of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Chelsea captain John Terry on the London Underground today
Transport for London has also created a special design to commemorate the event, which will be displayed on all London Underground trains throughout today. The poppy-based design is based on the famous John McCrae war poem “In Flanders Field,” and will completely consume one metropolitan line train and one circle line train. The world's only currently operational B-type bus (the same type used to transport our troops during the war) will also be on display in Covent Garden as part of the commemorative activities.
Footage of the London Underground Poppy Day design from last year
Sir Peter Hendy CBE, London's Transport Commissioner, said “It's a great honour to be supporting London Poppy Day again,” following last year when Transport for London and Network Rail teamed up to decorate the underground in poppies. He said that “This time of year is always poignant as the nation remembers those who made such profound sacrifices,” and underlined the fact that “This year is particularly important as we mark the centenary of the start of the Great War.” He added that “People living and working in London,” will see the “Specially wrapped trains and buses displaying the poppy design,” in honour of the 4,500 transport workers who gave their lives in both World Wars and other conflicts.
Photo: Arsene Wenger
The charity campaign was recently brought to the attention of Londoners via the “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” installation at the Tower of London
Alongside the footballers, ex-Paralympic gold medalist Tanni Grey-Thompson will also be featured in the event, as will Sir Terry Wogan, Stephen Fry and Barbara Windsor. The charity campaign was recently brought to the attention of Londoners via the “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” installation at the Tower of London, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first world war by filling the gardens surrounding the tower with poppies, symbolising all those lost in to the great war. Those wishing to donate to the Royal British Legion poppy appeal can do so via their official website.
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and musician from Kidderminster in the UK. He's genuinely gutted he's not in London today, as hearing John Terry loudly ask commuters to “Moind da Gep” would be more than worth the rush hour squeeze.
