This month we focus on honouring those who have died in world wars during the Remembrance Ceremonies all over Somerset.

Remembering the past is part of our identity, learning about who we are.

In Italy, history is simply called ‘storia’ (story), which I like better.

Our past is our story and the stories we tell ourselves create the blueprint for our identity.

That’s why Remembrance Day in Taunton is an important event.

Taunton has always been a proud military town.

We used to be the home of the Somerset Light Infantry.

We can see the remains of the barracks in the Jellalabad Barracks, beside Vivary Park.

When I first arrived here, they were indeed a big presence in the town, adding an extra layer of interest, glamour, and swagger to the town centre.

Now we have 40 Commando based at Norton Manor Camp, just outside the town, who are one of two major defence forces in the UK and therefore mobilised very often.

(Image: ALAIN LOCKYER) This is why Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Ceremonies in Taunton are so important, uniting across faiths and cultures to celebrate those who made sacrifices defending our freedom and way of life.

That’s why the British Legion are so enthusiastic about selling their poppies.

By these means they have raised thousands of pounds to help veterans find their feet in civilian life.

It’s also why the Somerset Wood is an important initiative of Somerset Council, since it commemorates the soldiers who died in World War One.

The plan is to plant a tree for every man who died.

They’re aiming to plant 14,000 trees.

It sits between the parishes of Cheddon Fitzpaine and West Monkton and will form part of the Country Park.

(Image: Cllr Vanessa Garside) We were recently privileged to attend a conference, hosted by Somerset Council, in tandem with the NHS, to uphold the Somerset Armed Forces Covenant re-signed last year, promising to treat the armed forces fairly and to raise awareness that they and their loved ones may have special problems, due to the nature of their work and lifestyle and that we should all offer compassionate understanding to their families, who are left behind and also offer support to them when they seek to reintegrate within society as veterans.

We have 27,900 veterans living in Somerset, the largest veteran population in the UK.

Taunton also has a higher-than-average median age than the rest of the UK, according to the census in 2021.

This is mainly because of people choosing to retire here.

Of course, this puts higher-than-average pressure on the NHS and care sector.

The NHS announced its commitment to preventative medicine, which includes a focus on diet, exercise, and good mental health practices.

They also are committed to providing treatment closer to home and are influencing patients to make use of the NHS App.

I was also thrilled to be invited to operate the newly acquired da Vinci robotic system – not on any poor victim, I hasten to add.

No lives were lost.

These are progressive moves in the NHS, and I hope that some of the government’s funding will be coming our way.

It's no wonder that HRH Princess Anne was ushered to meet the wonderful League of Friends volunteers, who work hard to raise funds to buy extra medical equipment and donated £1.5 million to enable the purchase of the robot.

It’s also no wonder that HRH also visited Taunton’s other jewel in the crown – University Centre Somerset.

Principal Andy Berry is brimming with enthusiasm about the wonderful Apprentice Degrees which are being awarded and the progressive hands-on experience which his students receive.

We were very privileged to be invited to his degree awarding ceremony at Wellsprings Leisure Centre.

A memorable experience.

I really felt proud of our young people, graduating from Taunton and going out fully prepared for the world of work to jobs where they can make an impact.