Governor Duncan Taylor joined members of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association to launch their official Poppy Appeal.

His Excellency was also on hand to open their brand new headquarters on the ground floor of the Crighton Building on Crewe Road.

Mr Taylor, pictured above having a Poppy pinned to his lapel, said he was delighted to be able to launch the appeal in such a “smart, new premises.”

Governor opens CIVA HQ and launches Poppy Appeal

His Excellency Mr. Duncan Taylor was the special guest at a special dual-purpose event, which marked the official start of the Poppy Appeal, as well as the opening of the brand new Cayman Islands Veterans Association (CIVA) headquarters.

The new headquarters are located on the ground floor of the Crighton Building on Crewe Road. Previously past Secretary of CIVA Charles Adams had provided CIVA with office space.

During a short speech, CIVA President, Capt. Dale Banks said:

“Today marks the official opening of the new headquarters of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association. For the past 27 years, Mr. Charles Adams served as our Secretary and, thanks to his generosity and love for our Association, we were provided with office space and administrative support in his offices gratuitously. Now that Charles is preparing to take things a little easier, the Crighton family has kindly leased these offices to us at a reduced cost and we thank them for this.

The Governor’s presence signified the official beginning of the Poppy Appeal, with a traditional ceremony, as Mr. Banks explained:

“For the past three decades successive Governors have graciously served as Patron of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association and by tradition each year the person holding that office is presented with the first poppy, a ceremony we commonly refer to as ‘Pinning the Governor.’

“I now invite veteran and long-serving past secretary and legal Advisor to our Association, Mr. Charles Adams, to officially kick off the 2011 Poppy Appeal by pinning His Excellency.’

Mr. Banks then presented Mr. Adams’ wife with a bouquet of flowers:

“For a lady who has truly been the backbone of our organisation for almost three decades, Mrs. Sue Adams, a small token of our love, esteem and appreciation for her invaluable service to the Cayman Islands Veterans Association,” he said.

Governor Taylor said: “I’m very glad to be able to kick off the Poppy Appeal this year, and it’s very nice to be able to do that in your new premises here which look very smart.”

As refreshments were being served, Mr. Taylor took some time to greet some of the veterans, including the first Governor of the Cayman Islands, Athelstan Long.

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