Over the last week, I have had the honour of attending Remembrance Services to pay my respect to those who served their country. So many in our community made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the nation and preserve our freedoms. It’s a privilege to undertake this role as the MP. I want to thank every volunteer, and attendee, who make this such a special annual event.
Following the pattern of my predecessor, I alternate between the major constituency services. This means rotating across Bexhill, Battle, Heathfield and Little Common. Last year, I attended Burwash due to the need to alter security following the murder of my much-missed colleague, David Amess. This year, I was back to the calendar and attended Bexhill for Remembrance Sunday. We were fortunate to be joined by the Lord Lieutenant. It was good of him to join given the plethora of County options. We paraded from Devonshire Square to the War Memorial. A superb band led the way. I was joined by the new Town Crier. After the service, and the laying of wreaths, a parade filed past us at the Colonnade. It was wonderful to join veterans and the young cubs and brownies for a chat after the event. I’m very grateful for everyone who stopped to say hello and wished me well in my new role. If you were one of those people, then ‘thank you’ for being so kind and encouraging. It means a lot to me.
On Friday, I joined the Battle Town Councillors and the High Sheriff for a service to commemorate the eleventh hour of the eleventh day on the eleventh month. We stood at the Battle Abbey apron. School pupils from the town read poems and stories and sang beautifully. It was a very poignant and moving service. Before we began, I had a lovely chat with an extraordinary resident who was attending aged 101 years. It’s an incredible privilege to speak to someone who can tell you directly what the war years were like. A solitary lesson to us all when we consider present challenges.
These days are not just for remembering the past but also thinking of the present. All those veterans, and their families, who continue to face the mental and physical scars of their bravery and endeavour. We also remember those abroad who face war on this very day. In that vein, it was very moving to witness the Ukrainian community place their own wreath at the Bexhill memorial. What a stunning arrangement it was. Beautifully made, with poppies interspersed amongst a collection of firs.
As we stood together, it reminded me of the alliance which we have made with our Ukrainian friends. Those they have left behind are making the most extraordinary push against the Russian invaders. I have so much respect for the bravery and courage of the Ukrainians. We owe a duty, to those fighting, to look after their loved-ones who have had to leave their country, and come to our own, for safety. Many of our Ukrainian guests are finding that their hosts cannot continue to house them beyond the initial six-month period. This is a huge shame. I am working with the local authority, and a private organisation, to try to secure an alternative option which will allow the community to live together. If this works, I hope those in the community will support and welcome our friends. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine is what we need to do; both metaphorically and literally.
