Visit the Somme this Summer - 100 years on we should pay our respects

Visiting the Somme is a truly momentous and very sobering experience. It is often hard to believe the sheer scale of conflict gone before, when you are looking out across the lush Belgian and French fields that were the setting of some of the most gruesome, and horrific battles of the First World War. A trip to these battlefield, and the various cemeteries in the region, provides a unique experience for reflecting on the sacrifices made of this generation, so that we today can enjoy our current freedoms.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in these two world wars; and does a fantastic job of maintaining these historic sites.
To assist with any trip you may have planned, they have just released new essential information for anyone travelling to the Somme this summer 2016. The link to this can be found here: http://www.cwgc.org/the-somme/visiting-the-somme.aspx

I strongly recommend a visit to this historic region - any trip here is a truly unique experience.

New Train "For the Fallen" to be named next Tuesday at Newcastle Station

There is to be an event at Newcastle Central station on 14 October 2014 at 0920hrs to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One and the raising of the Tyneside Scottish Regiment. To mark these solemn anniversaries, East Coast is honoured to be naming a locomotive ‘For the Fallen’ and wrapping it with images portraying the lives of men from regiments across the East Coast route. 

750,000 people volunteered for service in Kitchener’s ‘New Army’. On 9 October 1914, the first Tyneside Scottish Battalion was raised and little more than a month later over 5,500 men from Tyneside volunteered for military service. Of these, many would pay the ultimate price in the pursuit of world peace. 100 years later, along with our stakeholders, East Coast is marking the sacrifice of these volunteers.

At the event on 14 October, we will be joined by soldiers from 101 Regiment – Royal Artillery, a Battery of which retains the name ‘Tyneside Scottish’ and other representatives of the military, civic, business communities in Tyneside. We would be very pleased if you could join us as we dedicate this train to The Fallen. I have been asked to go but cannot as I am in London in the Commons all next week.

Hexham Abbey Church Service commemorating World War 1 4pm this Sunday

I shall be there - and we are welcoming the band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, members of the Northumberland Theatre Company, and various military charities. The Abbey Choir are singing. I am really pleased that so many key local community organsations are also involved. This event has been really well organised.
It is very important that we remember those who gave their lives and the changes the war brought upon us as a country. It is sobering to think that so many of our local men from 16 upwards went away to the war never to return. We are indeed very fortunate not to face such a conflict today, nothwithstanding all the problems that we see around us.    

Tynedale Plans this weekend - Allendale all day Saturday

Cricket at Allendale Saturday afternoon, and knocking on doors and surgeries in the morning.
Friday I have surgeries. On Sunday I am going to the Hexham Abbey for the Church Sevice to commemorate the First World War. If I miss you in Allendale itself on Saturday morning come along to the cricket pitch in the afternoon. I suspect I will be batting well down the order so I will have plenty of time to chat!