Amy and myself were absolutely thrilled to be asked to have direct involvement in the dedication and marking of respect of the renovation of our 'Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale Soldier' in the war memorial gardens, Myholmroyd.
Well over 300 people attended the re opening and there was a procession from St Michael's church to the memorial gardens. The procession itself included the Manchester Regimet, local church representatives, Hebden Royd Town Council - including Amy and myself, our Calderdale council Mayor Cllr Nader Fekri and Helen Silvester, local schools, scouts and the local church leaders .
Rev. Cannon James Allison our local Dean led the service and which was a tremendous mix of nostalgia and respect in rememberance of our fallen from Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale.
The Parade
In my speech I commended on the work the previous year in the garden renovation and the fact that it was opened by local war veteran Les Stewart. He was one of the last remaining survivors of the wars and sadly passed away 1 week before this years event. He would have been 96. There were very proud family members representing him on this special day.
The memorial was originally opened in July 1922 by a local man who had been badly injured in the Somme, his name was Gilbert Hartley.
The memorial itself was subject to over 90 years of the finest Pennine weather and also a vandalism attack in the 90's. Our soldier in Mytholmroyd has for many years looked 'past his best' and this refurbishment has brought him back to life... During the speech I spoke about the importance of preserving the remembrance of those difficult war years and this refurbishment will give a lasting reminder for many future generations. During the speech, I spoke of my own children remembering, their children and their children's children, well into the future
The unveiling itself was carried out by Mrs Barbera Jeffries. In my speech I said this was extremely poinent in that Mrs Jeffries was in fact Gilbert Hartley's daughter !! She exclaimed that she was extremely proud to uphold what her father had also done some 90 years ago. i also said this act was in itself and act of remembrance.
Just after the unveiling
Special Thanks to Jade Smith, Royd Regeneration and the sculptors John Swift and Andrew Bramley for this fabulous renovation of our soldier.
Some of the Dignitaries - Mrs Jeffries standing left of myself
Scott and Amy Trickett
16th October 2011
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