Councillors from Mendip District Council laid wreaths at a number of Remembrance events across the district on behalf of our city, towns and rural communities.

Cllr Ros Wyke, Leader of Mendip District Council, attended a service at St Cuthbert's Church, Wells, and afterwards laid a wreath at the War Memorial there. Cllr Barry O'Leary, Deputy Leader of the Council, attended an event at Evercreech, representing Mendip's rural communities, and laid a wreath decorated with purple poppies to acknowledge the loss of animals killed in conflicts.

Cllr Helen Sprawson-White, Chair of the Council, laid a wreath at Frome alongside Iryna Ladyzhenska, Social Facilitator for the Frome Support Hub for refugees, whose wreath was wrapped in blue and yellow ribbon – the colour of the Ukrainian flag.

Cllr Nick Cottle, Deputy Chair of the Council, represented Mendip at Glastonbury. Portfolio Holders who also took part included Cllr Garfield Kennedy in Shepton Mallet and Cllr Heather Shearer in Street.

Cllr Ros Wyke, Leader of Mendip District Council, said: "I laid a wreath on behalf of Mendip knowing that residents share my sentiments - as the years go by after the end of the world wars, it is important that we continue to remember the sacrifice of our fallen service members, and that we are mindful of more recent conflicts across the world too."

This thought was echoed by Mendip's Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Damon Hooton, who said: "This year marked 40 years of liberation in the Falkland Islands. I was serving at the time, and my unit were deployed there from day one. Many sacrifices were made during the war and our armed forces showed true courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

"Remembrance Day is an opportunity to remember and honour those that served and sacrificed in the name of freedom, and those who lost their lives, in all conflicts. We remember them."

Cllr Barry O'Leary attended a service at St Peter's Church, Evercreech, where wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in the nearby cemetery. He said:

"The wreath I laid was for all rural communities throughout Mendip. I was proud and honoured to do so.

"I placed purple poppies in the display to represent the animals who have died during conflicts. It's really important to remember that Somerset farmers were devastated by the loss of so many horses and other animals, particularly during the Great War. That is the reason behind the purple poppies, which were kindly provided by Evercreech-based, Canine Design."

It will be the last time Mendip Members will lay wreaths on behalf of the District Council. Next year, Somerset will have a single unitary authority. The four District Councils and the County Council will be abolished, replaced by one Somerset Council.

The wreaths presented at locations across our district were created by local florists, including Glastonbury-based 'Abundiflora', Doulting flower farm owner, 'Floral Acre', and Street florist, 'Luce Loves Flowers'.