Friday the 6th November It is 3:15am on and I am typing this as I walk from my flat to the car park underneath the House of Commons. I promised to visit the Immanuel Christian School in Westerleigh at 9am and as I was working late on Thursday evening, an early start it is. A couple are sat on the pavement on Westminster Bridge, they clearly haven’t yet made it home. They offer me half a can of larger. I decline.

You can only use the main gates to enter the House of Commons this early in the morning, and when you approach the wrought iron gates the Police assume you are another late night reveller. Once through, the Palace is deserted and there is something even more impressive about the building early in the morning, with the cold wind rushing through the corridors and every footstep echoing.

It is 10:30am and I am stood outside of Immanuel School after a thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes talking about democracy with the students. During a lull in their questions I ask: If you could each introduce a law, what would it be? My favourites were that we outlaw rabbit pie and allow 10 year olds to drive. These visits are useful for the students though, who get to meet their MP and learn more about democracy, helping to engage them in politics from an early age.

It is 11am – I am in my car outside of St Bartholomew's Church in Wick and I am about to hold my third Dementia Friends session with Bluebird Care in the Church Room. The sessions are extremely useful to teach local people about living with dementia and I am passionate about continuing to hold these sessions in towns and villages around South Gloucestershire.

It is 12:15 – Back in the car after a really enjoyable and useful Dementia Friend event. It slips into my mind that I haven’t eaten today and consider stopping after picking up three poppy wreaths for Sunday and then heading to my office in Thornbury for an afternoon full of back to back meetings.

Sunday 8th November Remembrance Sunday, 5:45am. I have just read through all the details for today, and sign the cards that attach to the wreaths for the three remembrance services. The first parade and service meets at 09:15 at Poole Court in Yate.

It is 4pm and I have just arrived home after the services in Yate and then Chipping Sodbury, both followed by tea and catching up with local councillors and residents. Both services were very well attended and led by excellent local cadet forces.

It has just gone 8pm and I arrive home from my local service and wreath laying at St Peter's Church in Wapley. Remembrance Day is a time to consider the sacrifices that were made for us, and to celebrate the greatest legacy of so many servicemen and women – our liberty. And it also reminds me every year how lucky we are in South Gloucestershire to be part of some such fantastic local communities who are so passionate about paying our respects.