Get ready for a truly special event! As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the New Forest Poppy Hunt, we’re excited to announce some incredible additions to this year’s hunt and auction.
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, we’ve managed to secure some fantastic prizes that will be up for grabs. Their support not only helps make this event a success but also contributes to the vital Funds needed for the work of the Royal British Legion.
Our Friends this year……
Chewton Glen Hotel, Limewood Hotel, The Gunn Inn, The Haven Bar and Restaurant, Carrie Bugg photography, Jack in the Wolfe, Bonds Barber, Ray’s Italian Restaurant, South Lawn Hotel, Gozney, Toots Sweets, Mellford, Coastal Bakery, The Brew Forest, No 64 Biscuit house, Cottinghams, coffee, interiors and Gifts, Stanwell House
As with last year, I have used military buttons inserted into each poppy. This year I have the pleasure of collaborating with the amazing Natasha Rowland of NR Designs, who designed and created the fabric backings for 4 of the poppies, making them truly beautiful.
The Poppy Hunt Rules
This year is mostly the same as previous years. I will be hiding 11 poppies around the New Forest and local areas, and posting clues on my Instagram page from around 7 am on Sunday 10th November.
First things first – Follow me on Instagram and make sure you log in from 7 am on Sunday 10th November, where you will be given the first clue of where to find Poppy Number 1. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can sit in your dressing gown, drink your coffee, and pop out to find one. The Poppy ‘die-hard’ hunters are sitting in their cars on thier bikes, engines/legs at the ready to get that poppy! I will be posting a photographic clue on my Instagram page approximately every hour through the day.
If you find a poppy, please take a photo of you and your poppy, and whatever little gift that you may have in addition, and post this on my Instagram or Facebook page. This lets everyone know it has been found. When you can, preferably when you get home, I would be grateful if you could donate to my Just Giving Page. All proceeds will go directly to The Royal British Legion.
I know it can be really exciting to try and get to the poppy first. If I can please ask that you don’t speed, look out for the New Forest Ponies, and Wildlife, that hide around corners, and generally be courteous to others.
If you are not lucky enough to find one of the poppies hidden, don’t worry, you will have the opportunity to bid on the other 11 special poppies I have made. This year I’m a bit more up-to-date with the technology and have gone and put the Auction Online so that everyone knows what’s being bid for. This is going live from 11.00 25th October 2024, to give everyone a chance. Bids will close on the 11th of November 11:59pm. Here is the Online Auction Link ‘Michael Turner and friends Poppy Auction‘
Each of the 11 poppies has incredible gifts and experiences alongside them to bid for. So please go and have a look at the Auction and start bidding when it opens…
One last note: I am asked every year how much it would be to buy a poppy. I’m afraid I will not make them to sell. The only way you can get one of these poppies is to either find one on the hunt or bid on one on the online auction.
