I landed back in the UK last Wednesday afternoon and a few hours later I was opening the Town Councils Bonfire Night. I was overwhelmed by the crowd and delighted to see so many people coming to enjoy what has become a highlight of the town’s calendar.

On Saturday, Maren and I attended the Evesham Rowing Club Veterans Lunch. It’s an event held every year on the remembrance weekend and rowers from all over the midlands meet to reminisce of days regattas gone by.

Lastly on Sunday, I took part in the Sunday Remembrance Parade and church service. It was a poignant day; 100 years since the outbreak of the Great War and all those involved did an exemplary job of remembering all those fallen and those whose lives changed forever because of the war. It struck me, when asked to say a few words of thanks to the parade, that as they stood before me, men had stood there 100 years ago enlisting and thinking they would be home for Christmas. I was moved by the scene and I think that all those who participated in the day, whether in the parade or not, they did those men (who didn’t come home for Christmas) proud.

CHARLIE HOMER