A time for remembrance and reflection

I WOULD like to begin this month’s column by paying tribute to all of our brave servicemen and women, as we approach Remembrance Sunday.

Across RCT, we have already begun reflecting, and the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance took place at the Park & Dare Theatre in Treorchy last Sunday.

This will be followed by services across the county this Sunday as we take a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate price to defend our freedoms.

We should also remember people serving in the forces today, and show them that we are eternally grateful for all that they do and that we will never forget the sacrifices they make.

Friday, October 21, marked the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, and I know all RCT residents will have joined me in thinking of those who lost their lives on that fateful day, as well as those who were left behind.

Although outside of the county, there are former pit villages like Aberfan all across RCT, and I know people in those villages will have thought how it could have been them.

In the week leading up to the anniversary, I visited Aberfan to pay my respects at the memorial on the site of the old Pantglas Junior School.

We also held a service in the Assembly, and a minute’s silence as AMs put aside our political differences to come together and remember the tragedy.

It is never pleasant to think about people losing their lives in tragic circumstances, but it is absolutely vital that we do so.

We will never forget those who died in the Aberfan disaster, nor those who lost their lives at war, and we must also remember those who are left behind, and give them the support they need.