Here's the latest Argus column by Torfaen County Borough Council leader Cllr Anthony Hunt:

THANK you to everyone who celebrated Armed Forces Day with us on June 26.

Armed Forces Day and the week which precedes it are an opportunity for us to say thank you to those who serve or have served in our forces, and to their families too. As regular readers will know, this is an issue very close to my own heart and something I’ve placed importance on since becoming a councillor.

As usual we flew the flags at the civic centre, and while we couldn’t hold a ceremony this year, thank you to my Deputy Leader Richard Clark for recording a message of support.

Armed Forces Day was a special one for us in Torfaen this year for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it was the first one since we were awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award in recognition for the work we’ve done as an employer and service provider for forces veterans.

Secondly, it came shortly after we learned the great news that local forces champions Sarah Adams and Mike Jones had been deservedly recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sarah has been an inspiration raising funds and awareness, in honour of her son James Prosser, another local forces hero. Mike has worked tirelessly as the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator in Gwent, helping raise a huge amount of money for our forces community. Both Sarah and Mike are fantastic examples of the spirit we have in our communities, and of our strong links in Torfaen to the armed forces.

This year’s Armed Forces Day was also an opportunity for us to say thank to for the contribution our forces have made to the Covid-19 vaccination programme, working alongside Aneurin Bevan Health Board, Torfaen Leisure Trust and other volunteers at our mass vaccination centres.

I’d also like to thank a retiring councillor, Blaenavon’s Alan Jones, for his work as our Armed Forces Covenant champion. It was a privilege to work alongside someone so committed to the cause – Alan will be a tough act to follow.

In the past, I’ve taken part in several long-distance challenges on my bike to raise money for forces charities such as the RAF Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers Charity, and have ridden from London to Paris for the Royal British Legion. Cycling is vital for me to maintain my own health and wellbeing, so it’s good to put it to use in a way that can help others too.

After all, those who serve in our armed forces have put themselves at risk to defend our freedoms and our safety, so looking after them is the least we can do in return.

Thank you to the South Wales Argus and everyone in Torfaen who has supported me, and to all the others who give up their time or donate for this cause.