Yeadon's new War Memorial was dedicated at the Act of Remembrance on Sunday 11th. November 2018 at 11.30 a.m. following the Remembrance Service at Yeadon Methodist Church.
'Thank you for coming to share in this very special Remembrance Day Service to celebrate 100 years since the ending of World War 1.
I have been chairing the small committee which has been meeting since 2015 to try to get a more prominent War Memorial for the people of Yeadon who served in two world wars and in subsequent conflicts. There were times when we thought we would not be able to achieve our goal because there have been hurdles along the way and we were all very saddened when the oldest member of our committee, George Robertson, aged 93, died a week last Friday. He, along with others who are no longer with us, including John France and Ernest Carr, has inspired us to keep going when things were difficult and we are grateful to him and the other loyal members of the small War Memorial Committee. George was delighted to see the stone the day it was delivered on 8th. October and to know that the Memorial would be ready today.
We need to say thank you to the many people - Councillors, businesses, community groups and individuals who have contributed to the War Memorial Fund and enabled us to cover the costs of the stone, its delivery and positioning, and the plaque with its inscription. The Fund remains open because we need more money so that we can meet other costs and maintain and further develop the site.
As well as thanking those who have contributed financially, we also need to say a huge thank you to people who have donated materials and to experts who have given freely of their time and their talents to ensure that our dream has become a reality. We owe a huge debt to John Appleton, Chris Pinder and Norman Walker who have worked tirelessly to prepare the site and spent day after day improving this area of Yeadon Methodist Church. In a few moments they will unveil the Memorial and we hope you will agree that it is a fitting tribute to the people of Yeadon who sacrificed so much for us all. The unveiling will be followed by a prayer of dedication by Deacon Jenny Parnell, who will then lead us in a short Act of Remembrance.'
Marjorie Emsley (pictured) 11/11/18.