Parliament's Constituency Garden of Remembrance opened on Monday and MPs gathered to plant a poppy in honour of all those from our constituencies who lost their lives in war. There was a short service and the band of the Royal British Legion played. Parliament has done this every year since 2021 and it is certainly a very moving way to honour all those who have served. Of course on Sunday we will come together in the War Memorial Park and Abbey to mark Remembrance Sunday.
I was in the Abbey last weekend for the All Souls Service remembering those we have lost, both over the course of the last year and less recently. It was a beautiful service and the lighting of the candles on the cross of light was a very visual way to remember. This Friday is another service of commemoration, in Southampton, for the homeless in the City who have died over the last twelve months. I was at the service last year and was moved by how many attended to celebrate the lives of those they had lost in really hard circumstances.
On Thursday we enjoyed Members of the Youth Parliament coming to Westminster for their annual sitting in the Chamber. The Test Valley has elected some incredible young people to serve as MYPs, and I know many of them have gone on to establish successful careers. A number of new MPs in 2024 reminded me that they had served previously as MYPs and many were in on Thursday to see their successors in action.
I very much enjoyed the Nomads show, Magical Musical Moments, last weekend. Nomads do such a fantastic job with their joyful and inclusive performances, and it really was a delight to be there. I think one of the stand out numbers was Don't Lose Your Head, from Six, which I saw in the West End for my birthday this year. The young performers were every bit as enthusiastic as the professionals. I also loved the Grease Medley and of course Dancing Queen from Mamma Mia. It was such a fun night and raised money for the Romsey Family Support Group and Romsey Young Carers.