REMEMBRANCE Day Commemorations on Sunday in Bramhope began with the 9.30am service in St Giles Church for the blessing of the flags of the Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies, Beavers, Rainbows and Squirrels.
The entrance to the church was strikingly decorated with a cascade of crocheted poppies and a newly donated sculpture of a paratrooper.
At 10.50am, led by the standard bearer and officers of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, Sandy Needham, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Hilary Harris, Chair of Bramhope & Carlton Parish Council, the parade followed its traditional route from the Village Hall down Old Lane and Eastgate to the Memorial Gardens. The colourful uniforms of the youth organisations made an eye-catching display on a crisp autumn day.
The Reverend Roger Smith from the Methodist Church welcomed the large crowds that thronged Eastgate to the Act of Remembrance. After the two minutes silence wreathes were laid on behalf of the King by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, with further wreaths as tributes from the MP for Leeds North West, Katie White, the Parish Council, the emergency services and the youth organisations.
The Vicar of St Giles, Matt Broughton, read out the names of those lost in each World War as a miniature cross was planted for each one by relatives and by members of the different Scout and Guide organisations in an always poignant part of the service. The traditional and moving pattern of the Last Post and the lowering of the flags, the Exhortation (Lest We Forget), Reveille with the raising of the flags and the Kohima Epitaph emphasised the touching and solemn nature of the event. The Act of Remembrance concluded with the community singing of Eternal Father, Strong to Save and God Save the King. With perfect timing a robin perched in a tree above the Garden added its sweet song as an introduction to the Final Blessing.
The Church Service was held at the Methodist Church, impressively decorated with banners and vivid crocheted poppies. The Reverend Matt Broughton led the service with lessons read by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and the Chair of the Parish Council.
The Reverend Roger Smith in his sermon encouraged the congregation not to despair in the face of bleak news of conflict around the world. “Instead, keep on remembering those who have given costly service, carry on working for peace in our own relationships and don’t switch off from the big challenges facing our world," he said. "Find hope in God’s promise that one day we will turn swords into ploughshares."
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