On Tuesday 12 November 2024, I attended the Licensing and Commissioning service of The Reverend Mark Birch as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

This historic role involves  providing pastoral care for MPs, peers, and staff, and assisting the Speaker in leading key events in the parliamentary calendar, such as the opening of the Constituency Garden of Remembrance, and Christmas Carol services.
Revd Mark said ‘I am looking forward to connecting with Christians and other faith groups within the parliamentary community, while ensuring Parliament’s chapel – St Mary Undercroft - continues to be a quiet and reflective place at the heart of the Palace of Westminster.’ Mark is already familiar with the Chaplain’s role, having taken part in the Speaker’s procession and led prayers in the House of Commons Chamber, in the absence of the previous chaplain -Revd  Tricia Hillas. He has also been involved in services at St Margaret’s Church, which is known fondly by MPs as the ‘parish church of the House of Commons’.

My wreath was laid on my behalf by Albert J Hodgkins at the Bloxwich Memorial on Sunday 10 November 2024. At the Cenotaph in Walsall Town Centre.

 

I planted a Remembrance Day Cross in Speaker's Garden of Remembrance for Walsall & Bloxwich. Each MP plants a cross to remember all those who fought and died for us.

( Photographs by Amy Wang) 

There was a gathering around the Peace Tree, The Green, Blakenall Heath on Friday 8 November 2024 . The Mayor of Walsall Cllr Anthony Harris attended.  Also present was Mike Brice CEO New Horizons and PC Bradburn and former councillor for Blakenall, Ian Robertson.

The tree was first planted in 1919 to commemorate the ending of the First
World War 1914-1918. It has grown to this size since then.
It was good to see children from the local schools and members of the public .

Prayers were said by the Revd Helen. Roy Jones read a poem and concluded by saying that "they left their home and family often to foreign lands in search of justice freedom and peace.. the world could have been a very different place for us without their sacrifice which cannot and should not be forgotten."

The Last Post and Reveille were played to start and end the 2 minutes silence to remember all those who gave their lives in all the wars.