SPENBOROUGH GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE 2012

5 NOVEMBER 2012

For only the second year, The Garden of Remembrance was positioned at the side of Cleckheaton Town Hall, to enable the people of Spenborough to place a cross in memory of loved ones who have died in the Service of their Country. The Crosses  will be repostioned on the top tier of the Spenborough War Memorial, on Remembrance Sunday, 11 November 2012.

At 11.00am on 5 November, the Principal Guests processed out of the Town Hall to the Garden of Remembrance. The Branch Chaplain Rev Brunel James, led the opening prayer to remember both past and active servicemen and women and then blessed the garden.

The first cross was placed by the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mrs Kate Moreton-Deakin.

The next Principal Guests, Mr Gordon Clegg, placed a cross on behalf of the family of Sgt Paul Douglas Oram MM who was killed in Northern Ireland, followed by Mrs Michelle Bean, whose husband WOII Graham Bean, died whilst on duty in Cyprus.

A poppy wreath was laid on behalf of The Royal British Legion by the President of the Spenborough Branch, Mr Eric Martin MBE, BA.

Other Principal Guests placed their crosses: Lady J Shaw, Mr Mike Wood MP, Councillor Kath Pinnock, Councillor Andrew Pinnock, Mrs Karen Vickers- Head Teacher of Howard Park Community School and two of the schoolchildren. These were followed by Mr Robert Scaife - Past National President of The Royal British Legion, Mrs Carol Cardwell on behalf of the Spenborough Branch Womens Section and members of the public.

Following the Exhortation, two minutes silence and Kohima Epitaph delivered by the Branch Chairman Mr Eddie Morton, the Rev James gave the Blessing.

Finally, we were delighted to welcome two classes from the Howard Park Community School at the service today, who are at the moment doing a school project on the Second World War.

Thanks again to the Womens Section of Spenborough Branch for providing the refreshments and to the Warden of Church Grange for the use of their facilities.

Mr Mike Wood MP                                    Branch President Mr Eric Martin MBE, BA

and Mr Robert Scaife, Past National President

          Mrs Michelle Bean                                      Family of Sgt Oram MM

                        Branch Standard Bearer David Lamb and Jim Hodgson

Deputy Lieutenent of West Yorkshire, Mrs Kate Moreton-Deakin and Mrs Karen Vickers, Head Teacher of Howard Park Community School with some of the children.

              Principal Guests                       Branch Chairman, Mr Eddie Morton

Branch Chaplain, Rev Brunel James             The Remembrance Garden

Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mrs Kate Moreton-Deakin placing the first cross.

           The family of Sgt Paul Douglas Oram MM about to place their cross.

Principal Guests at Church Grange                      Branch Members

Principal Guests Mrs Oram, widow of Sgt Oram with her father Mr Gordon Clegg.