REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 13 NOVEMBER 2011
Together with Armistice Day itself, Remembrance Sunday in
Spenborough is the Branches most important occasion. This year is
particularly memorable, being the 90th Anniversary of the founding
of The Royal British Legion.
The afternoon was a little misty, although this did not prevent
good crowds from lining the route.
The parade (which seems to get bigger every year), was assembled
at Cleckheaton Town Hall by the Parade Marshall, Branch Chairman Mr
Eddie Morton and marched off at 14.30hrs, led by the Emley Brass
Band.
Our Principal Guest, representing Her Majesty the Queen, Major
(Ret) Stan Hardy TD, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire led the
other guests of the wreath laying party. These included a
representitive of Mr Mike Wood MP, Councillors Andrew and Kath
Pinnock and representives from numerous local organisations.
The Army and RAF Cadets were also present in numbers, as were
the Scouts from the troops around Spenborough. It was good to see
so many young people taking part and appreciating the solemnity of
the occasion.
A good contingent of Veterans and members of the Spenborough
Branch and other Branches were present and the rear of the Parade
was brought up by an appliance of the West Yorkshire Fire and
Rescue Service from Cleckheaton.
On Arrival at the Memorial Park, Wreaths were laid at the foot
of the War Memorial and a Two Minutes Silence observed. Branch
Chairman, Mr Eddie Morton invited members of the public to place
their memorial crosses on the top tier of the War Memorial and
around 40 people did so. This innovation was introduced last year
and because of its apparent success, will become a regular feature
of Remembrance Sunday.
The Remembrance Service took place in St John's Church, and was
also attended by our other Principal Guests, Lord Shaw of
Northstead and Lady Shaw. Branch Chaplain, Rev Brunel James,
conducted the Service and took the oportunity at the start to
outline the work done by the Royal British Legion.
At the close of the Service, Branch President Mr Eric Martin MBE
and Rev Brunel James greeted the departing congregation and the
line up of members with their standards outside was most
impressive!
Photograph by Courtesy of The Spenborough Guardian
Laying wreaths at the War Memorial. Photograph by courtesy of
The Spenborough Guardian.
Time to reflect after the ceremony. Crosses placed by the public
in the upper tier of the War Memorial.
