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against Women and Girls Commission recommendations - namely that we wanted our local MPs to share the work we’ve done on this important issue here in Plymouth on a national level to help others who might want to do something similar.

On January 25, I went up to London to watch Sir Gary Streeter MP lead an hour-long debate on the work of the Plymouth Violence against Women and Girls Commission in Westminster Hall. It is great to hear a range of MPs talk about the issues we have been working on, as well as Sir Gary who spoke specifically about Plymouth, and at least one MP has already started work on something similar in his city.

Finally, I recently had the privilege of meeting World War Two veteran, Ivor Foster, at his home in Hooe. Ivor was a member of Bomber Command in World War Two and served as a mid-upper gunner on Lancaster bombers. He survived 16 flights between 1944 and the end of the war. It was fascinating to hear his recollections - what a brave man.

As his local MP, Sir Gary is working to secure him a specific medal from the MOD and I accompanied him to meet Ivor (which meant I could also be photographer!). Through my work with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, I often get to hear the stories of heroic individuals who sadly didn’t survive the war, so on the few occasions I’ve been able to meet veterans from the Second World War like Ivor, it has been a particular honour.

As ever, do let me know how I can help as your local Councillor on rebecca.smith@ plymouth.gov.uk and feel free to follow me on Facebook or Instagram at @PlymouthRebecca.

I should make one thing clear: this is not a moan at those workers! I believe strongly in the right to industrial action to lobby for better pay and better working conditions, especially in the current climate when family budgets are so tight. Most of us will know someone who is personally affected by these ongoing pay disputes, or maybe several people. Perhaps you were among those who felt the need to go on strike?

If so, I hope and pray that you felt the support of friends and family rather than their anger and frustration – and I really hope your action makes a difference longer-term.

Back in the COVID lockdown times we took to our front gardens once a week to clap for our NHS and other ‘frontline’ workers. While ‘claps don’t pay the bills,’ as one online campaign reminded us, I hope it was nevertheless a source of encouragement to you if you are one of those keyworkers. So here’s a challenge for the rest of us: what can we do this month to show our appreciation for all these people in our own communities doing such vital jobs? How can we encourage our postal workers, our children’s school teachers, our public transport drivers, our doctors and nurses?

By Revd Tom Brassil

And let’s not forget all those whose contractual obligations don’t give them the opportunity to go on strike – especially the men and women who serve us tirelessly in our armed forces. Thank you all!

Here’s a word of encouragement: as we’re living through the inevitable disruption of strike action, there is one Person who never stops working. Psalm 121 in the Bible was a song written by someone facing a daunting and dangerous journey along a road known to be full of bandits and wild animals. The writer looks anxiously at the hills around, wondering what or who they hide. But he knows that God is with him, and so he plods on. Better still, as he says in the middle of his song, ‘He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.’ (Psalm 121:3-4, the Bible). As a Christian I put my trust in the God who is always on duty, always on the alert, and always capable of keeping me going to my destination.

Want to chat more about any of the above? Send me a message at tom@ sherfordchurch.net