Political View: Thank you for your service
With both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day in November, we are reminded of the sacrifices others made on our behalf to maintain the freedoms we enjoy, writes Liberal Democrat Group leader Christian Hogg.
During both world wars, we faced as a nation a dark time when those freedoms were under threat, good people stood up and went to war to defend our country and others, some paying the ultimate sacrifice. We didn’t do this alone as a nation; we had incredible support from across the British Commonwealth and other allies.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all those brave servicemen and women. The debt doesn't end there, though. Our heroic armed forces have been involved in many conflicts since that time, and they continue to stand ready to defend our way of life and those of others across the world.
We also need to recognise the incredible job our emergency services do daily, despite increasing pressures and the risk of harm. I must point out that these people, putting their own safety aside to keep the rest of us protected and safe, come from a diverse mix of different communities, ethnic backgrounds, and religious beliefs. Diversity is not a weakness; it provides us with the strength, experience, and knowledge required to do this job. We simply could not do without them.
So for me, it isn’t just about remembering those who have gone before and making the sacrifices they made. It is also about appreciating those who continue that tradition of public service.
Whilst I am recognising the work of people in public service, I would also like to mention the people who volunteer across our city.
I recently attended two events: first, the Safer Off Our Streets AGM (https://saferoffthestreets.co.uk), which attracted over 50 people from a wide range of organisations working together to reduce homelessness in our city. The second was another AGM for the Peterborough Council for Volunteer Service (PCVS - https://www.pcvs.co.uk), a charity that helps connect and support volunteer groups and organisations across our city. If you want to do your bit to enrich and support our city by volunteering in any capacity, they might be a good place to start your search.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the communities that we live in, but it also provides opportunities to expand your skill sets or broaden your experience. Apart from that, the rewards—expanding your friend circle and improving your well-being — are worth the effort you put in.
What have you got to lose—give it a go!
Finally on a more personal note I would like to say goodbye to Kitran Eastman who has recently left her role as Chief Executive of Peterborough Limited for pastures new. The city is in your debt for the work you have done at the helm especially creating a great work culture within the organisation.