Residents join Independence Day gathering

LARGE crowds gathered at St Leonards clock tower in Newton Abbot last Wednesday, August 24, to observe Ukraine Independence Day.

Residents from Newton Abbot showed up en masse in support of the country as well as those Ukrainians who, having fled their homeland, now call the town and Devon as a whole, home.

Newton Abbot Mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday, said: ‘Newton Abbot Town Council is honoured to be able to help the people of Ukraine celebrate their Independence Day.

‘We think of the 12 million people that have fled their homes in the face of the Russian’s unprovoked invasion of their country, at least 5 million of those have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries, and a very small percentage of them have been lucky enough to find refuge here in Newton Abbot.

‘We think of the millions still left in their war-torn country facing hardships that none of us can imagine, apart from a small number still living who remember our own country’s struggles and scarifies in the second World War.

‘Ukraine is an Independent country and therefore its people have the right to live in peace and freedom.

‘This town council, our residents and the people of this country, fully believe in these rights and therefore, we will continue to stand up against this Russian aggression, against this, or any other free country, that is invaded in this way.

‘We fly the Ukrainian Flag today to mark Ukraine’s Independence and show our support for the Ukrainian Country and its people.’