YOUNG and old alike attended parades and services in the district on Sunday (November 9) in remembrance of those who have given their lives in conflict.
People turned out in large numbers at events to show their respects to those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
In Otley, a parade - comprising civic leaders, representatives from the Royal British Legion, veterans and uniformed groups - assembled at Station Road at 2pm for the parade, which followed a route along Kirkgate and Manor Square.
Following the parade, a Remembrance Service was held at Our Lady and All Saints Catholic Church on Bridge Street, at 2.30pm, led by Father Nicholas Hird.
A post-service parade from the Church at 3.30pm followed a route to Manor Square, left on to Market Place/Boroughgate, right on to Crossgate and right onto Bondgate to arrive at the Memorial Garden.
Tributes and the laying of the wreaths followed at the Memorial Garden at 3.45pm.
A short service will also take place on Armistice Day (Tuesday, November 11) at 10.45am in the Memorial Gardens, including a two-minute silence at 11am . All are welcome to attend and pay their respects. This service will be led by Father Nicholas Hird from Our Lady & All Saints Catholic Church.
The Otley branch of the Royal British Legion marked the start of 2025's Poppy Appeal at the Buttercross in Otley in October when Otley town mayor, Councillor Paul Carter, presented the first poppy of the appeal to Shirley Ramsden, whose son Lance Corporal David Ramsden died in a road accident in Helmand province, Afghanistan in 2010.
Mayor of Otley Cllr Paul Carter said: “I am proud to have been asked to present the First Poppy to Shirley. This year marks the 80th anniversary year of VE and VJ Day commemorations, and the Royal British Legion is a cause close to my heart, which is why I have adopted the Otley branch as one of my mayoral charities. It felt right to do something special to recognise the occasion.”
In Bramhope Leeds North West MP Katie White attended the ceremony and laid a wreath. She also read a poem “The Crosses” by Bill Mitton as part of the service in the Methodist Church that followed the ceremony at the War Memorial.
In Menston a Service of Remembrance led by local ministers took place at the Memorials outside Kirklands Community Centre. Refreshments in the Community Centre followed service.
Services and parades were also held in Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yeadon, Guiseley, Horsforth and Rawdon.
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