Communities across the Bridgend & Porthcawl constituency came together over Remembrance Weekend and Armistice Day to honour those who served our country and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance remains one of the most important occasions in our national calendar, bringing together people of all generations to reflect on the courage, service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, past and present.
Across the constituency, residents, veterans, serving personnel, community organisations and local representatives gathered at war memorials and remembrance services to pay their respects.
On Saturday 7 November, Chris Elmore MP attended a remembrance service at the RAF Memorial at Stormy Down, the site of a former Royal Air Force station which played an important role during the Second World War.
RAF Stormy Down was used to train thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied aircrew. The memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the area’s contribution to the war effort and those who lost their lives in service.
On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, Chris joined veterans, local organisations and residents at Bridgend War Memorial to lay a wreath and observe the traditional commemorations.
He was also represented at services elsewhere in the constituency, with his wife laying a wreath on his behalf at All Saints Church in Porthcawl, while Cllr Chelsea Davies laid a wreath at Pencoed War Memorial.
Chris had the privilege of representing constituents at Mr Speaker’s Garden of Remembrance in Parliament, where MPs from across the country place remembrance crosses in memory of those who lost their lives serving their country.
The cross placed on behalf of Bridgend & Porthcawl carried the poignant words:
“Always in our thoughts, never forgotten.”
These words were kindly provided by the Royal British Legion’s Bridgend Branch, ensuring that the constituency’s tribute at Parliament reflected the sentiments of the local community.
The commemorations continued on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November, when people across the country paused at 11am for the traditional two-minute silence, marking the anniversary of the end of the First World War in 1918.
Bridgend also participated in the annual Poppies to Paddington initiative, organised by Great Western Railway in partnership with The Veterans Charity. The initiative sees remembrance wreaths collected from railway stations across the network and transported to London Paddington, where they are laid at the station’s war memorial during the Armistice Day commemorations.
Cllr Jon-Paul Blundell placed a wreath on the train at Bridgend railway station on Chris’s behalf, allowing the people of Bridgend & Porthcawl to be represented in this national tribute.
Reflecting on the commemorations, Chris Elmore MP said:
“Every year, I am moved by the way communities across Bridgend & Porthcawl come together to remember those who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. From Stormy Down to our local war memorials, these occasions remind us why Remembrance remains so important.
“It was a privilege to represent constituents at Mr Speaker’s Garden of Remembrance in Parliament. My particular thanks to the Royal British Legion’s Bridgend Branch for providing the poignant words for our cross: ‘Always in our thoughts, never forgotten.’
“My sincere thanks go to our local community councils, town councils, Bridgend County Borough Council, Royal British Legion branches, veterans, volunteers and everyone involved in organising these important commemorations. Their dedication ensures that future generations understand the importance of remembering those who gave so much for our freedom.”
The commemorations across Bridgend & Porthcawl once again demonstrated the enduring respect and gratitude felt towards those who served, while ensuring that the importance of Remembrance continues to be passed on to future generations.
We will remember them.
