Central Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has laid a cross in the Constituency Garden of Remembrance at the entrance to Parliament. The garden was established in 2021 on the 100th anniversary of the first remembrance service in November 1921 to honour those who gave their lives in the First World War. Remembrance has since evolved to honour every life lost in service of our country, including in the Second World War, Cyprus, Aden, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Stride said:
“In laying this cross on behalf of our constituency we remember and commemorate all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our democracy and freedom.”
The Central Devon constituency includes the village of Northlew in West Devon, which tragically lost a higher proportion of those local men who enlisted in the First World War than any other town or village in the country. In 2014, to commemorate a hundred years since the start of the First World War, seven miles of poppies were planted between Northlew and Okehampton.
If you have not made a donation to the Royal British Legion but would like to, you can do so at www.britishlegion.org.uk. Their website also provides free teaching resources including lesson plans, activities and assemblies to support teachers and parents.
