Monmouth MP attends VE Day celebrations across county
Catherine Fookes, Member of Parliament for Monmouthshire, marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a series of commemorative visits across the county.
On Thursday, she visited Abergavenny for a special VE Day ceremony organised by Peter Farthing and the local Royal British Legion.
The service featured the unveiling of a new commemorative veterans' bench, created by Black Mountain Gates and Key2Shoes, and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph.
Ms Fookes said: "It was a real privilege to attend this moving ceremony.
"It was particularly special to see D-Day veteran Mel Hughes there, a true local hero who recently celebrated his 100th birthday."
She also paid tribute to Wendy from the Abergavenny Library Knit and Natter group, who single-handedly created a commemorative crochet display for the occasion.
(Image: Catherine Fookes) (Image: Catherine Fookes) (Image: Catherine Fookes) (Image: Catherine Fookes)
Later in the day, Ms Fookes visited Rogiet for another ceremony with veterans and local councillors, before concluding the evening at St Mary's Church to attend a Quarter Peal Bell Ringing service.
On the weekend, she joined residents at a VE Day Street Party at Chepstow Drill Hall.
Earlier in the week, Ms Fookes spoke in Parliament to honour Monmouthshire's veterans and reflect on the county's military history.
She mentioned the service of David Edwards and Tom Griffiths, both of whom have a school named after them in Mondrainville, France, and marked the 110th anniversary of the Second Battle of Ypres, where the 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment suffered nearly 700 casualties.
She said: "I also took the opportunity to recognise our vibrant Royal British Legion branches in Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouth, and Usk, and to thank individuals like Peter Farthing, who works tirelessly for Monmouthshire's veterans."
(Image: Catherine Fookes) (Image: Catherine Fookes)
"I want to thank Monmouthshire County Council and their Armed Forces Champion Peter Strong for organising.
"These events gave us all a chance to pause and reflect - we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those who have served and who continue to serve our great country and who allow us to live in peace."
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