ON Sunday I was honoured to be able to attend several of the remembrance day services held in and around Swindon. The ceremony at the cenotaph in the town centre was especially moving. There’s a particular poignancy about the usually busy, noisy and bustling shopping street falling silent for two minutes of reflection at 11am. There was a very good turn-out for the event, which seems to have been reflected across the country. The centenary of the First World War, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and the withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan have all heightened our awareness of this year’s remembrance period. It was especially good to see so many young people there. They are the generation that will need to keep this important national occasion going. Judging from what I saw on Sunday, it will be in good hands.

l Moving on to other matters now. I always really enjoy welcoming Swindon residents to Westminster when Parliament is in session, and last week I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon Humphries and his parents at the Sport England awards. Brandon is a student at Commonweal School, who doesn’t allow his disability to slow him down. He has been very influential in making the Swindon Shock wheelchair basketball club a success, from putting up posters to leading the warm-up.

For those of you who think that wheelchair basketball sounds like a walk in the park, think again. It is a fast-moving and highly competitive team sport that requires huge physical stamina and concentration, and I am delighted that Brandon’s commitment to our local club has resulted in national recognition.

Nearly a third of a million pounds has been invested in a range of local South Swindon organisations by Sport England since 2010. It’s encouraging to note that activities such as sailing, canoeing, cricket, gymnastics and athletics, not to mention wheelchair basketball again, are receiving much needed support.

l Back in Swindon, I was delighted to attend the official opening of Hop, Skip and Jump’s brand new ‘Care In the High Street’ centre by charity president, Elizabeth Hurley, pictured. Earlier this year I was present at the launch event in 10 Downing Street where Samantha Cameron warmly welcomed the concept of accessible respite care for families of children with lifelong conditions and life-limiting disabilities. It is wonderful to see that the very first such centre is being opened right here in the Brunel Centre. As a Patron of Hop, Skip and Jump, I am proud to see that we now have an additional facility to complement the excellent centre at Upper Shaw Farm. I look forward to seeing as many families as possible taking advantage of this great new service.