Jones Comment

I HAD a virtual meeting with Commander Tom Harrison from our city’s adopted Royal Navy ship HMS Scott this week. Named after Antarctic explorer Captain Scott, it is the Royal Navy’s only ocean survey vessel. The city and the vessel have a long history, being awarded honorary freedom of the city back in 2006. The ship has just completed a record-breaking Atlantic mission, mapping an area of the Atlantic seabed bigger than Britain to ensure vessels can navigate safely.

On Tuesday I attended Morriston’s Poppy Appeal launch with representatives from the Royal British Legion. The ceremony at the Morrisons supermarket in Morfa Park is the latest community ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the poppy appeal and the Royal British Legion.

On Thursday the Windrush exhibition Our Voices, Our Stories, Our History moves from St Fagans to Swansea’s Waterfront Museum. Professor Uzo Iwobi and some of the Windrush Elders who are part of the exhibition live locally, and I am looking forward to hearing from them at the event.

This coming Sunday I have been invited to attend the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan’s Civic service and ceremony at St Illtyd’s Church and The Glass House in Llantwit Major. Attending civic engagements such as these have been difficult recently due to the pandemic, so it is wonderful to have the opportunity to represent the city and offer our support and friendship to Cllr Jane Norman as she formally marks her civic year.

As I’m sure you’ll remember, this year’s council-run fireworks show is happening on November 12 in Swansea Bay. The later date is due to the tide being in on the evening of November 5 and out a week later. It is a free event for us all and I’m sure it will be worth the wait. So, this year, don’t worry about buying your own fireworks, come along and enjoy ours instead. Hope to see you there!