Thought for the week

ON 11th November last year, the British Legion representative and I went to Llandudno’s war memorial as usual. We did not expect anyone else to be there. It was lockdown and gatherings banned. We expected to complete the ceremony of remembrance alone.

But, gradually, as if someone had given a signal, people walking along the prom moved towards the memorial and stood, silently waiting. We held the two minutes’ silence, the exhortation was given and, at the appropriate moment, the people gave the response, “We will remember them”.

No one had told them to come. No one had told them what to do or say. But they came and they spoke.

Why? Because they wanted to remember and to mark it in a concrete way. They were determined to take part in something that enabled an expression of solidarity and community spirit in the face of trouble and adversity.

The climate crisis was top of the news reports last week. But what about this?

Putting our heads in the sand and pretending that it’s nothing to do with us will not help. Nor will just shouting at politicians. What we need, badly need, is the determination to find solidarity and a communal approach. What we need, most of all, is trust. Sadly, we humans are not very good at that. But maybe, just maybe, the climate crisis will be humanity’s finest hour, as we work together for the common good, the future of our planet.

On Remembrance Day, we recall the sacrifice made by people of the past who gave their tomorrows for our today. What sacrifices are we prepared to make today for the tomorrows of our children?

Rev Beverley Ramsden British Legion Chaplain, Llandudno