The Red Ensign, the recognised flag of the British Merchant Navy since 1854, is now flying proudly above Woking Borough Council’s Civic Offices to mark today’s Merchant Navy Day.

As an island nation, we pride ourselves on our rich maritime heritage.  It is very important to mark Merchant Navy Day and pay tribute to the many brave men and women of the Merchant Navy who have lost their lives over the years during conflict and in peace time tragedies.

Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day has honoured the brave men and women who kept our ‘island nation’ afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted – I was pleased to take sometime out of my day to undertake this Mayoral duty to ensure Woking recognises Merchant Navy Day.