"LIKE many of my generation and no doubt like many of you reading this column, I cannot help being both shaped by and grateful to those of my parents’ and grandparents’ generation.

They lived through at times constant fear, endured privations and fought for the freedoms we enjoy today in two World Wars.

Like many other Somerset families, both my grandfathers and their brothers fought in the trenches in the First World War, and no, they didn’t want to talk about it afterwards.

So many of us have or had parents whose lives were indelibly inscribed with the imprint that the Second World War left on them.

Scrupulous not to waste food, prizing the rare commodities they were deprived of in those years, The ‘make do and mend’ generation that seldom grumbled and just determinedly got on with rebuilding post-war Britain.

Not least among these traits is an intolerance of nationalism, not so much an instinct as a reaction born of the bitter experience of Europe riven by rival supremacies from the Balkans to Spain and throughout the German Nazi Reich.

Many are aghast at the simplistic faith put in nationalist politicians both north and south of the border today.

But as we begin to prepare for Remembrance Sunday once again here in Taunton, we do not need to look back at past generations to see heroism.

My church of All Saints Norton Fitzwarren is not only the church that holds the colours of my father-in-law’s father’s Royal Naval Reserve.

It will also bear witness again this year to those of the village, including all those of 40 Commando at Norton Manor Camp, who have given their lives so valiantly in some very recent conflicts.

We can only pray our leaders exercise the sound judgement and calm counsel that is needed before landing our troops in harm’s way again.

But as the names of fallen heroes from 40 Commando and of others of the services are read out only one thing detracts.

Sadly, the county council provides no way for our church community to close the road even for so few minutes of remembrance of so great a duty at the roadside once per year.

Our local Police Community Support Officer very much does his bit, but the roar of traffic is no way to remember our heroes.

Isn’t it time the county council allowed a few roadblocks for the few short minutes per year when we remember those no longer here to enjoy the freedoms for which they fought?"

Gideon Amos, Parochial Church Council member

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