[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6580″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Assembly Members and veterans yesterday (2 November) raced against the clock on an exercise bike to commemorate the Battle of Mametz wood 100 years ago.
The 8-hour bike ride was held from 09.30 -18.30 in the Welsh Assembly’s Senedd building. Members of Parliament also undertook the challenge in London – the two legislatures aimed to collectively cycle the distance from Westminster to the Somme in France*, to mark this year’s centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
Mrs Watson represented Mid and West Wales by cycling as far as she could in 5 minutes, with the hope of topping the leaderboard. The Labour AM covered 1.67km.
Joyce Watson AM said:
“I would like to thank the Royal British Legion in Wales for arranging this event. Whatever members’ fitness, it was a fitting challenge – a collective effort, everyone doing their bit to achieve a poignant goal.
“The Royal British Legion provides invaluable support to our Armed Forces community; I am pleased to have been able to support such a worthy cause.”
The bike ride was organised by The Royal British Legion in Wales and builds on the successful bike ride held in 2015 in Westminster hosted by the Industry and Parliament Trust, in partnership with the Legion.
Wales Area manager Ant Metcalfe said:
‘We were delighted to welcome Joyce, to our first ever Poppy Ride in Wales. This was a new, and different, way of marking the Remembrance period alongside all of the other vital local and national events the Legion is involved with at this time. 2016 marks the centenary of the battle of Mametz wood – so important for the people of Wales – and we hope this event has brought us all together to remember and also raise awareness of those who continue to requires the Legion’s support today’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
