Prospective Conservative MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca Pow met The Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the Rt Hon Mark Francois in Taunton last Thursday evening. She took him to the 40 Commando Stone which sits in the sensory Garden in Vivary Park where they paid their respects to Royal Marines from 40 Commando who have lost their lives. Mark Francois said:

"I was very glad to meet Rebecca during my visit to 40 Commando at Taunton and to have an opportunity to pay my respects alongside her at the 40 Commando Stone. The Royal Marines are elite troops who have a close affinity with Taunton and its people, which was evident throughout my very enjoyable time with them." 

Fourteen marines from the unit which is based at Norton Fitzwarren, were killed during their six month deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.The stone was commissioned by Taunton Deane Borough Council and is a smaller replica of one that stands in the Memorial Garden at Norton Manor Camp.