Presiding Officer to join Merchant Navy veterans to mark Remembrance Day
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales will attend the annual Merchant Navy Remembrance Service at the Merchant Navy Memorial in Cardiff Bay, on Saturday November 8th at 11am. After laying a wreath on behalf of the Assembly he will host a reception in the Senedd for those who attend the service.
Strong links exist between the Assembly and the Merchant Navy Association and Lord Elis-Thomas, as Patron of the Association, regularly attends the Merchant Navy Day Event and the Remembrance Service. The Merchant Navy Memorial, which forms the focal point for remembrance of the sacrifices made by the Merchant Navy sailing from Welsh ports in two World Wars, is sited on the Senedd’s slate plinth.
Lord Elis-Thomas said: “The National Assembly is enormously proud that the merchant navy memorial is so close to our home in Cardiff Bay. It is important that the Assembly recognises and honours the vital contribution made by merchant seamen from this area during the First and Second World Wars. The Pierhead building, part of the Assembly’s estate, was a welcoming site for thousands of merchant seamen as they returned to the port of Cardiff after months at sea.”
Notes to editors:
The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) was formed in 1995 to bring together in a spirit of friendship all seafarers who have served, or are still serving, in the Merchant Navy and Deep Sea Fishing Fleets.
The Association was granted the Freedom of the City and County of Cardiff in September 2001, and the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan in April 2005.
For more information about the Association please contact: Mr Byron Jones, Secretary on 01443 815013 or byron@blackranger.plus.com