"ROADS? Where we're going we don't need roads.."

21st October 2015 was of course Back to the Future Day - the date to which Marty McFly and Dr Emmett Brown travel forward in time (in a Delorean!) in the classic film trilogy.

They might not have needed roads but we certainly do. That's why I've been campaigning against the Welsh Government's proposals to de-motorway the existing M4 as part of its so-called "Black Route" scheme.

This is a far cry from the new M4 plans of the 1980s (that would have retained the current road as the M44) and could potentially increase some journey times for motorists living in Monmouthshire. We need an urgent review of the Welsh Government's plans for an M4 relief scheme.

Ships of course have never needed roads and I was honoured to be invited to inspect a platoon at the rededication of the recently refitted HMS Monmouth at Plymouth Devonport.

Monmouth can be justly proud of the latest ship to bear its name and its crew who risk their lives to defend British interests. They are a tribute to their families and their country and we owe them a great debt of gratitude. Their ties to Monmouth are strong and I look forward to welcoming them to the Assembly when they dock in Cardiff Bay next year.

It's fitting that the re-dedication of the Black Duke coincided with a service at Abergavenny's St Mary's Church marking the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt.

The service featured a sermon by the Dean of Llandaff Cathedral Gerwyn Capon (who humorously pointed out that his ancestors had fought on the French side!) and concluded appropriately with French wine and Welsh Cheese.

Agincourt has become a byword for patriotism and it's right that we should commemorate the 1415 battle and what it means for us living in freedom in 21st Century Wales.

Victory at Agincourt was due in no small part to the skill of Welsh archers - Arthur Machen's "Angels of Mons" who appeared to British troops at the outset of the First World War.

In the words of Shakespeare's Henry V - "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother."