In his latest regular column, the chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, reflects on the meaning of Remembrance Day and how it will be commemorated in Maldon this year.

In most countries, Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November each year.

This marks the end of the First World War hostilities which formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning.

Every year, the Royal British Legion (RBL) supports Remembrance events across the UK, and almost every local community produces Remembrance commemorations of their own.

At the core of these events is the brief and non-religious Act of Remembrance. This is exceptionally well-suited to be personalised as readings may be made, and music or other elements can be added in order to make the ceremony relevant to a particular community.

The RBL doesn't prescribe what these should be of course, but services should be inclusive of all members of the community.

The Act of Remembrance consists of the following:

The Exhortation is recited: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."

The Last Post is sounded, a two-minute silence is observed and Reveille is sounded.

The Kohima Epitaph is usually recited, although it is optional: "When you go home, tell them of us and say… For your tomorrow, we gave our today."

There will be a Maldon District Remembrance service at Maldon's historic Quay on 11 November in remembrance of our lost heroes and there will also be services on Sunday 14 November, one in Maldon which will be attended by myself and at the same time at Burnham which will be attended by my vice-chair, Councillor Carlie Mayes.

I will also attend a third Remembrance service at Stow Maries Airfield on Sunday afternoon along with other councillors and officers from MDC.

It is vital we remember those who fought for our freedom.

I cannot begin to imagine how terrible it was for those poor souls fighting in the trenches. If you have attended an organized fireworks display and heard the exceptionally sudden and unexpected loud bangs (which can seem quite frightening), imagine that, but worse, every second, every minute of every day and add the danger of an explosion at any of those seconds and you may begin to realise what they did for us all.

I'll never stop remembering and I hope everyone feels the same.

Please support the work of the Royal British Legion by wearing your poppy with pride.

As always, keep safe.

Councillor Mark S. Heard