clive_hughes Posted 14 August , 2014 Share Posted 14 August , 2014 DawleyJockey & Mandy, thanks very much for that information. It will help to plan my visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myos Posted 16 August , 2014 Share Posted 16 August , 2014 I'm hoping to make the trip down in September, and am really looking forward to it. BTW...I've just noticed that they have already taken the money for the poppy I ordered from my account! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 17 August , 2014 Share Posted 17 August , 2014 Looking at the various pictures it seems that the mound from which they read the Roll of Honour each night is on the west side of the Tower. Is that the case? Thanks Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 17 August , 2014 Share Posted 17 August , 2014 Yes, the side with the ticket office. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 19 August , 2014 Share Posted 19 August , 2014 Thanks Mandy I went last night and, despite a heavy downpour just as I arrived, it was a good evening and the poppies look great. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
better ole Posted 19 August , 2014 Share Posted 19 August , 2014 In the dim and distant past I remember getting a trip from the Tower to Westminster pier, is this still running? I'd like to make the trip in the other direction then walk towards the ticket office, from the cobbled river side. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 19 August , 2014 Share Posted 19 August , 2014 I think the Thames Clipper service stops at the Tower Alan but you would need to check their website for other stopping points, times etc. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantwo Posted 11 September , 2014 Share Posted 11 September , 2014 The installation last Sunday 7 September 2014, quite stunning. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 11 September , 2014 Share Posted 11 September , 2014 Thanks for the photo Alan, I was wondering how it was coming on since, I visited in early August. Do they now go round the corner of The Tower, on the left side of your photo? Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alantwo Posted 12 September , 2014 Share Posted 12 September , 2014 Hi Mandy The picture below is from Tower Bridge back towards the corner of the Tower. The poppies more or less surround the Tower completely. Between Develin Tower, the group entrance and Traitors Gate they are in a band of perhaps 15 or so deep. Regards Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 13 September , 2014 Share Posted 13 September , 2014 This could be wrong of course but if there is any truth in it....................... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2754319/Just-Tower-poppy-cash-going-help-heroes-So-WILL-pocketing-rest.html Added; However I believe that the article is correct in stating that the poppies are subject to VAT. In that case and using the figure quoted in the Independent (8th August 2014) of 200,000 poppies being sold by early August, would lead to a nice little earner for the Government of £834,000 so far! And all this on the back of the remembrance of our WW1 war dead!. I realize of course that VAT will be claimed back on the appropriate costs of production but even taking this into account there will be a substantial benefit to the government Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechhill Posted 13 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 13 September , 2014 Doesn't sound too horrible to me. Production and logistics will claim their part. Volunteers aren't "free" either (catering, organising) - especially on a project of this size. It's a known fact, that only fractions of any charity donation reaches the target (for the very same reasons). It is regrettable, and the organisers should of course take any possible measure to minimise expenses, but that's how it is and will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 13 September , 2014 Share Posted 13 September , 2014 This one of the pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 13 September , 2014 Share Posted 13 September , 2014 Hi Mandy The picture below is from Tower Bridge back towards the corner of the Tower. The poppies more or less surround the Tower completely. Between Develin Tower, the group entrance and Traitors Gate they are in a band of perhaps 15 or so deep. Regards Alan Thanks Alan for the photo and description. I hope to get back to The Tower before it finishes and they start taking them out. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 13 September , 2014 Share Posted 13 September , 2014 Doesn't sound too horrible to me. Production and logistics will claim their part. Volunteers aren't "free" either (catering, organising) - especially on a project of this size. It's a known fact, that only fractions of any charity donation reaches the target (for the very same reasons). It is regrettable, and the organisers should of course take any possible measure to minimise expenses, but that's how it is and will be. Post 87 but what about the fact that the project is liable for VAT, do you really think that it is acceptable that the government should profit from a scheme the purpose of which is both to honour and remember the war dead? just consider that every purchaser or these poppies is making a donation to the government of almost £5 and for what!. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 14 September , 2014 Share Posted 14 September , 2014 Post 87 but what about the fact that the project is liable for VAT, do you really think that it is acceptable that the government should profit from a scheme the purpose of which is both to honour and remember the war dead? just consider that every purchaser or these poppies is making a donation to the government of almost £5 and for what!. Norman I was happy to pay the VAT. Might sound odd, but the country has to run ... and we do pay for the CWGC, after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechhill Posted 14 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2014 Post 87 but what about the fact that the project is liable for VAT, do you really think that it is acceptable that the government should profit from a scheme the purpose of which is both to honour and remember the war dead? just consider that every purchaser or these poppies is making a donation to the government of almost £5 and for what!. Norman Firstly, I misunderstood your post slightly, my apologies. To answer your question, I'd certainly prefer the government did not. But if the project doesn't qualify exemption through existing legislation, then rules are rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 15 September , 2014 Share Posted 15 September , 2014 Sent to Lord Faulkner, my MP and others, if nothing else it may confirm or disprove the known facts. Norman Ref: VAT on Commemorative Ceramic Poppies You of course will be fully aware of the thousands of poppies on display at the Tower of London and also the fact the public can purchase these at £25 each plus postage if required. I believe that these poppies are subject to VAT both of course on the costs involved and the gross revenue collected. This being the case the VAT revenue from the sale of 200,000 poppies (The Independent see below) would result in an estimated £834,000 in VAT payable. From the article in the Daily Mail (See below) it can be estimated that costs equate to roughly half of the sale price therefore as a very rough estimate the Government will receive a windfall of £400,000 in respect of sales so far. This payment will of course reduce the revenue available for distribution to the named charities which is already very low anyway. Can it be right that the Government is profiting from the remembrance and sacrifice of our war dead, common sense says no. Given that the Daily Mail article maybe only partly correct even then the sum available for distribution is still small enough anyway without the Government taking a cut. Perhaps you as Chairman of the Group will confirm what I believe to be true and whether the Government is prepared to address this frankly unfair situation. Added: Confirmation received that the the project is eligible for VAT Based on the reported net revenue available for distribution each of the six charities will receive £1.46 for every poppy sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courgette Posted 16 September , 2014 Share Posted 16 September , 2014 In the dim and distant past I remember getting a trip from the Tower to Westminster pier, is this still running? I'd like to make the trip in the other direction then walk towards the ticket office, from the cobbled river side. . Details and special offer here for the Thames river cruise: http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london/gl-city-cruises-2-7/45313735?p=14&nlp=&utm_source=channel_occasions_merchandising-deals&utm_medium=email&sid=3c8bb833-6793-486e-8e1f-49d2c7dddf94&division=london&uh=c0afb6f6-1be0-4ba5-bc78-9d5c89dd2de9&date=20141609&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 16 September , 2014 Share Posted 16 September , 2014 Details and special offer here for the Thames river cruise: http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london/gl-city-cruises-2-7/45313735?p=14&nlp=&utm_source=channel_occasions_merchandising-deals&utm_medium=email&sid=3c8bb833-6793-486e-8e1f-49d2c7dddf94&division=london&uh=c0afb6f6-1be0-4ba5-bc78-9d5c89dd2de9&date=20141609&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page We used City Cruises to go from Westminster to the Tower and back (after a look around Tower Bridge ). We were going to stay on to Greenwich but the water was a bit choppy and I started to feel a little sickly . Couldn't fault the service though. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 17 September , 2014 Share Posted 17 September , 2014 Just for interest if 50% of the poppies are sold = £10,000.000 gross revenue less say 50% reclaimable costs then 20% net VAT payable on the balance this would give the Government a nice little earner of £1,000,000. Not bad for doing nothing and at a stroke denying the six charities a big chunk of revenue, as I say just worth considering and obviously based on the known facts available. What a magnanimous act it would be that in view of the large amounts involved the Government refunded the VAT paid directly to the six charities, now that would be a nice gesture in this commemoration year! Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
better ole Posted 17 September , 2014 Share Posted 17 September , 2014 Thanks Courgette, I will investigate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 17 September , 2014 Share Posted 17 September , 2014 Well if my contribution goes a small way to paying off the national debt, then job done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 September , 2014 Share Posted 17 September , 2014 Your efforts to remove VAT are going to be well appreciated by the original investors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 17 September , 2014 Share Posted 17 September , 2014 Why not pay the money directly to the charity so they get it all and then pick up one of the poppies when they are sold on ebay for a pittance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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