Ely Signs Armed Forces Covenant

On Monday 3rd April at The Maltings in Ely, a meeting was held to witness the signing of The Armed Forces Covenant.

Members of The Ely Branch of the Royal British Legion, The Ely Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club and Drop in Centre gathered along with the Mayor, Councillors and Thomas Kelly, the Cambridgeshire County Council Armed Forces Covenant Officer.

The Mayor’s speech is featured below, after his speech the Mayor, Cllr Richard Morgan, signed The Armed Forces Covenant.

Good afternoon, and welcome. 

Deputy Mayor, Fellow Councillors, Madam Clerk, fellow citizens.

Thank you to our special guests: Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Royal British Legion County President Roger Herriot, Members of the Ely Branch of the Royal British Legion: Branch President Cllr Ian Lindsay, Branch Vice-President Neil Grimston and Branch Chairman David Martin; Les Wilson and the Veterans Breakfast Club; Thomas Kelly, the Cambridgeshire County Council Armed Forces Covenant Officer; and Daniel Gawthrop, the Armed Forces Lead for East Cambridgeshire District Council. 

At a Full Council Meeting held on Monday 4th April 2022, Cllr Elisabeth Every proposed that the City of Ely Council sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.  This was seconded by Cllr Christopher Phillips and unanimously approved.  It was also agreed to appoint Cllr Every as Armed Forces Covenant Champion.

The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise by the nation to the people who defend it.

Those who protect our country do so with great honour, courage and commitment. 

Their sacrifices, both seen and unseen, are greatly valued and appreciated by our society. A life of service can be a rewarding but difficult path.  

The Armed Forces Covenant recognises this. It is a pledge that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, will be treated with fairness and respect by our communities, and society.

Today we are not just renewing our commitment to our armed forces, but promising to redouble our efforts to them and to support all those who support our nation.  Whether they are serving as members of the armed forces, or to our valued veterans, the covenant commits us to honouring and remembering all those who have served and continue to serve.

Members and former members of the armed services have our absolute commitment that we will do just that, not just in Armed Forces Week or on Remembrance Sunday, but at all times.

In preparing this speech, I learned about how young people from military families are affected and challenged by their unusual upbringing. They are often the only child in their school in this situation, and their complex lives and budding potential can easily be overlooked or misunderstood. It’s not unusual for such a child to attend eight different schools during their education or to move schools in the middle of term and at short notice.

These children lead extraordinary lives and they deserve all the promise that the future can offer.

I shall now read the Armed Forces Covenant:

An Enduring Covenant Between The People of the United Kingdom His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families.  The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our armed forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.  Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces.  In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment. 

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.  

We are all grateful for the work done by Royal British Legion, Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association; Help for Heroes; The Not Forgotten; RAF Benevolent Fund; and The Blinded Veterans Fund amongst many others.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

I am delighted that the Armed Forces Covenant I am about to sign today will change many people’s lives as well enhance the Council’s reputation. 

Thank you.

Signed this day Monday 3rd April 2023

Richard G Ll Morgan

The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Ely and Chairman of Ely City Council

From the City of Ely Council

Photo credit: Spotted in Ely