As the Member of Parliament for Northampton North I have many duties during the year, but none is more important than the laying of a poppy wreath at the War Memorial at All Saints Church in Northampton on Remembrance Sunday. This was the eighth consecutive year that I had the honour to lay a poppy wreath.
Remembrance Sunday this year fell on Sunday, 12th November 2017 and is a day earmarked each year to remember the bravery and sacrifice of our Armed Forces.
To commemorate this important day I attended a moving service at All Saints’ Church after which I laid a wreath at the War Memorial and watched a military parade with the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff and the Mayor of Northampton, together with the councillors.
The Northampton branches of the Army Reserves, Northamptonshire Police, Sea Cadets, St John’s Ambulance staff and many others participated in the parade. It was encouraging to see so many young people taking part in the parade and the professionalism of the parade bands.
Thousands of Northampton residents were also in attendance to commemorate those who gave their lives to protect us – the freedoms that we enjoy and exercise regularly today would not be possible without the sacrifices made by our military personnel. Ninety-nine years have passed since the Armistice which ended World War One and it is as important as ever that we continue to remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country in all conflicts.
Following the parade, as I have done for many years, I attended the annual curry lunch at the Army Reserves Training Centre in Clare Street. This has always been a great opportunity to meet local Reservists and their families, as well as ex-servicemen and other Northampton residents.