Halloween is behind us (and hopefully a scary political cyclone with it, though the economic damage is sadly done); Christmas is ahead of ahead of us with all the joy that brings; but in the meantime, November affords us time for remembrance. I will be wearing my poppy with pride and reflection, as will so many people across Tameside. One of the things that makes me tremendously proud to serve and represent the communities of Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield is the extent to which Remembrance month is commemorated locally, with numerous services, beautiful poppies and large turnouts as we come together to recall the horrors of war and give thanks for every single person who has given their life to protect the security of our country.

I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Royal British Legion, locally and nationally. In Tameside, the steadfast service of Peter Edwards and many others ensures services go smoothly, memorials are maintained and year-round remembrance occurs. By buying a poppy, you are donating to the RBL’s work with the armed services community, from alleviating hardship, to providing support to the injured, to being there for families every step of the way in the dreaded event of death in the line of duty. Wearing a poppy means you are showing your solidarity with service personnel who spend time away from family, risk their lives on the frontline and work in difficult circumstances worldwide to maintain peace.

Ever since the first world war, Remembrance services have served to bring British communities together, and provide necessary opportunities to remember the dead. As we sing Abide With Me, and fall silent as the trumpet sounds the last post, daily stresses vacate our thoughts and we come together in respect.

Every family has their own heroes, sung and unsung, that they thank in that moment. For us that’s my Grandad Jack, a Sapper with the Royal Engineers, who was part of the advance team at the D-Day Landings. I’m acutely conscious that if he had not made it home safely I wouldn’t be here today. It is also my wife Claire’s relative Brenda, who worked at Bletchley Park -just a young woman at the time, but part of the code breaking teams who changed the course of history. Our families were lucky that their heroes lived on to pass on their stories. This month I am thinking of all those for whom that was not the case, in the great wars or more recent conflicts.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.