Thought For The Day – Wednesday 10^th September 2025

The Member of Parliament for the constituency or area of Hertford and Stortford, Josh Dean M.P., has paid tribute to the late councillor and former Mayor,  Norma Symonds,  in the House of Commons.  

It was a wonderful gesture by Mr. Dean, which, as Mrs. Haines at T.B.S.H.S. pointed out,  will ensure Norma Symonds is remembered in the historic record of Parliament for generations, and ages, to come.

For, everything said, and done, in Parliament is recorded, and written down, in volumes called “Hansard”.   These days, “Hansard” is now on-line also.

In his fine speech, in the House of Commons,  which encapsulated public service, Josh Dean M.P. said the following of Norma Symonds:

“I am wearing a ribbon today to commemorate the life of Norma Symonds, a former Conservative councillor and town mayor of Bishop’s Stortford. Determined, courageous and kind, Norma dedicated her life to supporting those who needed help and serving our community, giving a voice to the voiceless. She set an example to the rest of us, that, beyond parties and politics, what matters most is helping others. So, will the Leader of the House, and indeed the whole House join me in paying tribute to the life of a remarkable woman and sending best wishes to her family, friends and colleagues.”

A Labour Member of Parliament paying tribute to a former Conservative councillor and town Mayor.

The true spirit of diversity, empathy,  unity, universality, kindness, compassion and respect.

A people’s politician honoured in a people’s Parliament.  As Mrs. Haines pointed out, how wonderful for the inspirational Norma and her brilliant family.

Mr. Dean is pictured above: in the first picture above delivering his tribute in the House of Commons; and, in the second picture,  with Norma Symonds.

Closer to home, there are plans to dedicate a bench in the High Street, near the Methodist Church, to Norma Symonds.  This was where Norma helped many people, in a safe and socially distanced manner, in the global pandemic.

Norma Symonds inspires us all to be better, so that we may better help others.

How do we use the platform, and the power, we individually, and collectively,  have?

Do we include?  Or do we exclude?

Do we warmly welcome?  Or do we  “pass by on the other side”?

Do we “give a voice to the voiceless”?

Pictured below: Norma’s visit to T.B.S.H.S. in April 2022 to speak in Sixth Form Citizenship with Siobhan Nundrum from “Red Kite”. 

“Red Kite”, which Norma helped found, “provides comprehensive services to survivors of historic or recent rape, sexual abuse or violence to enable them to recover and thrive once more in their communities”.

Mr. Dean’s speech: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOObXXsCv6w/