REMEMBER REMEMBRANCE DAY IN GREENHEAD PARK
The people of Huddersfield are invited join in Remembrance Day commemorations in Greenhead Park, Huddersfield, on Thursday, November 11.
Ex-servicemen, standard bearers and civic dignitaries will be taking part in the annual parade from the park's Trinity Street entrance to the war memorial set within the Belvedere at the top of the main pathway. However, Greenhead Park Warden Chris Smith and Bob Mortimer of the Royal British Legion have issued a joint appeal for local people to support the event and turn it into a heartfelt tribute to war veterans and those serving in Afghanistan.
“The Royal British Legion is spending £1.5M a week now on welfare for ex-servicemen and their dependants and we are hoping to raise £36M with this year’s Poppy Appeal, the emphasis of which is the need to help the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives,” said Mr Mortimer.
Park Warden Chris Smith is keen to educate young people about the reasons for Remembrance Day and to encourage respect for the town’s war memorial. He has been trying to involve young people and is delighted that a number of local schools will be attending the parade.
“There will be more youngsters there than we’ve had before. Hopefully they will take the opportunity to chat to the veterans about their experiences,” commented Chris who is hoping people will take time after the parade for ‘tea and a chat’ in the park's newly refurbished Refreshment Rooms. He has also arranged a visitor book for people to sign and write their commemoration messages.
The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Andrew Palfreeman, will be among those taking part in the parade which will assemble at the Trinity Street gates at 10.45am and proceed to the war memorial for a service and laying of wreaths at 11am. Anyone who wants to can join the parade.
After the service, the Huddersfield Society of Model Engineers will run a Remembrance Express between 11am and 2pm on the park's miniature railway. A member of the society, Stephen Atkins, who has a son-in-law who is due to go to Afghanistan, has been fundraising for the 'Help for Heroes' charity. Passengers on the Remembrance Express will be asked to give a donation to the Poppy Appeal.
