Chesterfield Remembers, with Julia Cambridge PPC for Chesterfield
There is probably no other date in my calendar that holds the importance of our 'Annual Service of Remembrance'. It was a privilege this year to be laying the wreath on behalf of the local Liberal Democrats.
Chesterfield's Remembrance Sunday was a great opportunity for us to pay tribute to those veterans living and to those sadly no longer with us.
I was privileged to attend the Annual Service of Remembrance at the Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints where the Reverend David Mouncer led the Address, hymns and prayers.
What was so inspiring was to look around and see so many dedicated young people from the Cadets, Scouts and St John Ambulance, to name a few.
After the service we were organised for the parade to the Town Hall. Our Councillors had arrived by bus for their journey to the church. It was certainly a brisk walk back, especially if you have a young cadet behind you marching like I did. It was at this point I realised that heels, cobbled stones and marching don't mix, but the sheer pride in attending put everything into perspective and the sunny weather was a bonus.
Chesterfield residents lined the streets to greet the parade. It must have been very heart-warming for the veterans to acknowledge the importance that we put on their service on behalf of us all.
Many tributes were paid at the War Memorial. Person after person from the lines came forward to lay poppy wreaths at the foot of the memorial. As I lay down my wreath I thought about the little memento my mother had given me years before and which I had carried with me on Sunday in my bag: my late grandfather's wartime matchbox cover to keep his matches dry. He had engraved his name on it so it stayed with him.
We owe all we have to these amazing men and women.
The service was meticulously planned by the fantastic town hall staff and I would like to say how polite and helpful they were at all stages of the day. Nothing was too much trouble and they gave clear helpful advice.
Afterwards as we made our way into the Town Hall we had an opportunity to meet with some of the parade veterans. Everyone was in need of a warm drink by then! Our Liberal Democrat Deputy Mayor Alexis Diouf was on hand to welcome people along with Liberal Democrat Group leader Cllr Ray Russell and our Councillors.
Chesterfield did what it does best on Sunday and I was proud to play a small part in it. We have a lot to be proud of, and thankful for. The young people and veterans reminded us of that on Remembrance Sunday 2013.