POMP and ceremony, parading in scarlet robes and struggling to keep a tricorn hat straight at the correct (uncomfortable) angle, are not my favourite things about being a councillor.

But I felt genuinely privileged to take part in the D-Day 80 service in the Guildhall Square last Thursday, to honour our surviving veterans and to remember those no longer with us, who include my late father-in-law.

Sunday was a fun day, visiting the Pet Lovers’ Market, where I declined an invitation to enter Poppy the lurcher in the Best Rescue Dog contest because if she’d won, people might have said the judges were biased!

These themed markets, organised by the City Council throughout the summer, are very popular, providing an inexpensive family outing and bringing to life what might otherwise be a vast expanse of Chinese granite, empty apart from a few skateboarders.

Monday morning was spent following up residents’ complaints about one of the Netherhampton Road building sites. It’s hard for them to hang their washing out with so much dust blowing about.

I’m not a member of the community services committee but that evening I found myself sitting in for an absent colleague.

The amount of value our communities team squeezes out of a minimal budget is extraordinary, and not enough people are aware of it.

Working to provide opportunities for all our communities, last year they engaged with 3,736 new people.

This summer they’re working on a multi-purpose Friary Garden Project, designed by the inspirational Becky Twigg, with a steering group led by residents, and various organisations including the Fijian Church Group and Exeter House Vocational Centre getting involved in planning and maintenance.

It’s an example of how their expertise in building links can make funds stretch further.

They’re also working on the You Network – providing safe spaces and services for young people; expanding the Bemerton Lunch Club and Kids Love Fit sessions; applying for funding for a community kiln in Bemerton Heath, and looking into extra Wednesday evening openings for our Pantry. Among many, many other things.

In the past, critics have pointed out that the City Council’s only legal obligation is to look after our allotments.

And it’s true, we’re not obliged to do any of this other stuff. But without it, Salisbury would be immeasurably worse off.

And the question is: If we didn’t do it, who would? I’m pretty clear that the answer is: Nobody.