DEDICATION OF THE NEW SPENBOROUGH BRANCH STANDARD

The last Spenborough Branch Standard was dedicated 40 years ago and Saturday 7 May 2011 at 1100am saw the dedication of our new Branch Standard and ceremonial "laying-up" of the old.

Some 200 people were present in St Johns Church, Cleckheaton for the Service, which was conducted by Reverend Brunel James the Vicar of St Johns.

Major (Ret) Stan M Hardy TD, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire represented Her Majesty the Queen. The Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Andrew Palfreeman and Mrs Palfreeman headed our distinguished guests, which also included, Lord Shaw of Northstead JP,DL and Lady Shaw, Mr Mike Wood, Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen and local Cllrs Margaret Bates DL, Derrick Yates and David Hall.

We were also delighted to welcome other local Branch Members from six Branches and their Standards, together with a sizable contingent of local Army Cadets and representatives from Local Organisations such as the Spenborough Forget me Not Fund.

Following the parade of the Standards, the old Standard for "laying up", was passed by our President Mr Eric Martin MBE into the hands of Rev James who "accepted the charge".

The new Standard was blessed and dedicated and the old standard was laid up on the memorial stand in theChurch in perpetuity.

The Last Post, Minutes Silence, Kohima Epitaph and Reveille completed what was a most memorable event in the life of Spenborough Branch.

A parade was assembled by the Chairman Mr Eddie Morton and this was led round the town centre by the Band of The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Deputy Lieutenant Major Hardy and The Mayor Cllr Andrew Palfreeman took the salute on the dais at the foot of the Town Hall steps.

Photographs below by courtesy of The Spenborough Guardian