Metro Mayor Dan Norris discusses Remembrance Day in his latest column for The Journal: On the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Armistice was signed, ending years of bloody fighting and bringing about the conclusion of the First World War.

Ever since, it has been a moment of reflection, as we strive for a more peaceful, and safer world.

Armistice Day is a time to remember the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces in all conflicts. Together, we honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe in conflicts through the years. Remembrance recognises the contribution of UK and Commonwealth service personnel.

This year, we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Armistice, which brought an end to fighting in the Korean War, honoured National Service 60 years since the last service person was demobilised, and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, celebrating the generation who helped rebuild Britain.

Today, Putin’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine is the biggest threat to European security since the Cold War. The UK and NATO allies have shown determined resolve in confronting Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine. On Britain’s military help to Ukraine and reinforcing NATO allies on the Russian border, the Government has had – and will continue to have – our fullest Labour support. Our Armed Forces have played a leading role in supporting Ukraine, coordinating supplies, supporting NATO allies on deployments to Estonia and training Ukrainian troops.

Twenty years ago, I had the honour of taking part in a special scheme for politicians with our Armed Forces and saw first hand their professionalism, excellence and high standards. Our Armed Forces personnel embody the values that so many British people hold most deeply – courage, integrity, loyalty, discipline and public service.

This year, once again I will be taking a wreath on behalf of West of England residents to London as part of GWR’s very moving Poppies to Paddington initiative. At the world famous station hundreds of wreaths are laid down at the memorial ahead of the 11am ceremony.

Right across our amazing West of England region, local people will be remembering. 2023 also sees the biggest change in the poppy’s design for a generation. This year, your Royal British Legion poppy is fully recyclable at home as it has been made entirely from paper and is plastic free. The paper itself has been created from fibres from renewable sources including offcuts from coffee cups. That’s great news for the environment - and stems from a fantastic idea originating locally in Bath.

It’s been 105 years since the end of the First World War, and 78 years since the end of the Second World War. For children born today these dates seem far, far away in history. That “touching distance” of knowing parents and grandparents who lived through conflicts is fast disappearing. It makes remembrance even more important than ever before.