North Swindon’s MP Justin Tomlinson and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland joined with others for the private remembrance Sunday service at the Swindon Cenotaph and laying a wreath as part of Great Western Railway’s Poppy Train.
Both Swindon MP’s have previously spoke about how the Covid-19 pandemic, will affect Remembrance Services across the UK, but people should not be deterred from being able to show respect to the men and women of the armed forces in a number of worthwhile ways. One of these ways was through a campaign to encourage people right across Swindon, including organisations like churches, schools and businesses to decorate their windows with poppies for the occasion, which are displayed with pride.
Justin attended the socially-distanced event at the Cenotaph, which would usually welcome large numbers of Swindon residents to pay their respects to all who have given their lives in service of our country. The North Swindon MP, reflecting on the service said; “Swindon as a town has always worn its support of all branches of the Armed Forces with immense pride. Remembrance Day honours the sacrifices of those who have given so much, so that we enjoy the freedoms we do today. However it is also recognise the current serving members of our armed forces, as well as a significant number of veterans, who we also owe and enormous debt of gratitude towards.”
“Each year, both Robert and I are honoured to be asked to lay wreaths at the ceremony in Swindon. I have seen first-hand, the number of people coming to pay their respects growing, so it will be of particular disappointment to many people here in Swindon, this year were not able to due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. That doesn’t mean that Remembrance Day itself is cancelled this year, we just need to find other ways to come together as a local community to mark this occasion and pay our respects in a different way.”
