11 November 2019

At a service around the Cleckheaton War Memorial, special invited guests were the Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Mr David Pearson DL, together with Baroness Pinnock of Cleckheaton and some three hundred children from local schools.

Following the chimes and strikes of Big Ben relayed through the speaker system at precisely 11.00am, a two minutes silnce was observed. Wreaths were laid including one from each school in attendance. Prayers were led by Branch Chaplain Rev Ray Borrett.

The Branch Chairman Eddie Morton contacted the eleven schools after the event and his comments are worthy of note as below.

Dear Head Teacher

On behalf of the Spenborough branch Royal British Legion we would like to thank you and your school for supporting the Armistice Day Parade and service held in Memorial Park.

As Head Teacher you should be justly proud of the pupils and students you sent to represent your school. To a person everyone on parade was respectful quiet and observant throughout which in turn made the event successful, and many complimentary comments were made to me by members of the public after the event.

Particular mention should be made for those individuals who had roles as wreath layers, they all carried out their roles with very little guidance and all were a credit to their school. Particular mention must go to those who were “Conscripted” in at short notice to carry the wreaths of the Principal Guests.

The Piper from BBG Academy must take a special mention; his professionalism set the tone for the whole parade.

There is often concern within the Legion about the future of Remembrance and will the younger generation carry it on. The support we get within Spen Valley would indicate that we can rest assured it is safe in the hands of our young people.