A colleague from the controlling Labour Group on Wakefield MDC died suddenly on the 17th of November after a short illness. Graham was a long served hard working local Councillor for Airedale and Ferry Fryston. His passing drew tributes from across the community and hearing different peoples views it became clear how many peoples lives he touched for the better.
About two years ago at a school governors meeting we were told that a school bus service had been cancelled as the company were having difficulties. On the way back from the meeting I called Graham for advice as a WMDC representative on Metro the passenger transport executive. He quickly realised the urgency of the situation and asked me to leave it with him. I later discovered that he was in the Chief Executives office the following morning chasing a solution and we had a replacement bus company providing the service later that day. I thanked him for a first class result then and that memory sticks with me now.
Last Friday I joined many others from across the community at the local church to pay him tribute.
Sunday 29 November 2009
Wednesday 11 November 2009
And we left that generation behind
My grandfather served in the first world war was called up on the first day as a former regular and six weeks later was shot on a "quiet day" in the first battle of the Aisne. He survived, which says something for his determination, friends that reached out to help him and some sort of luck.
He came back from war an invalid and lived an impaired life through till his death. He died before I was born so anything that I know has been passed to me. Lest we forget then has a special significance to me.
Today at the war memorial in Pontefract I stood with two or three hundred others to hold that two minutes of thought... Lest we forget.
The challenge is now greater than ever before as this is the first year where we no longer have people with us from the pals generation that fought in the Great War to end all wars.
In another way there is a new generation who are learning about the act of Remembrance. There are new families faced with grief, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters who are faced with the loss of a loved one.
In the council chamber this afternoon we talked about the sacrifice of Rifleman James Backhouse and Bombardier Craig Hopson, local lads whose families and communities grieve for them. We intend to see that there are lasting memorials to this latest generation who put themselves in harms way and collect a wage from the nation.
With the death's of Henry Allingham and Harry Patch their generation is left behind, James Backhouse and Craig Hopson gave their tomorrow for our today and we need to ensure we will remember them.
He came back from war an invalid and lived an impaired life through till his death. He died before I was born so anything that I know has been passed to me. Lest we forget then has a special significance to me.
Today at the war memorial in Pontefract I stood with two or three hundred others to hold that two minutes of thought... Lest we forget.
The challenge is now greater than ever before as this is the first year where we no longer have people with us from the pals generation that fought in the Great War to end all wars.
In another way there is a new generation who are learning about the act of Remembrance. There are new families faced with grief, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters who are faced with the loss of a loved one.
In the council chamber this afternoon we talked about the sacrifice of Rifleman James Backhouse and Bombardier Craig Hopson, local lads whose families and communities grieve for them. We intend to see that there are lasting memorials to this latest generation who put themselves in harms way and collect a wage from the nation.
With the death's of Henry Allingham and Harry Patch their generation is left behind, James Backhouse and Craig Hopson gave their tomorrow for our today and we need to ensure we will remember them.
Thursday 5 November 2009
Lest we forget
Regardless of peoples views on the rights or wrongs of the situation in Afghanistan. Our young people are out there and a growing number are paying the ultimate price. Many more return broken shadows of their former selves.
We need to acknowledge their sacrifice and commitment.
Wear your poppy with pride.
Visit Help for Heroes
And for those who remember on Sunday or next Wednesday you may hear part of this, some may question the sentiment,but for many it still rings true.
For the Fallen
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Laurence Binyon September 1914
With many of my colleagues I will be attending the Royal British Legion's service of remembrance at Wakefield Cathedral on Friday evening and at the Cenotaph in Pontefract on Sunday morning and Wednesday the 11th at 11pm.
We need to acknowledge their sacrifice and commitment.
Wear your poppy with pride.
Visit Help for Heroes
And for those who remember on Sunday or next Wednesday you may hear part of this, some may question the sentiment,but for many it still rings true.
For the Fallen
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
Laurence Binyon September 1914
With many of my colleagues I will be attending the Royal British Legion's service of remembrance at Wakefield Cathedral on Friday evening and at the Cenotaph in Pontefract on Sunday morning and Wednesday the 11th at 11pm.
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