A plaque to honour a Leeds-born women’s cycling legend is set to be unveiled in Morley Town Hall.
The historic plaque, which once hung in the main street of the town, will honour the achievements of Beryl Burton OBE.
The sporting icon was one of the greatest female cyclists ever seen. But the plaque disappeared more than a decade ago and had not been seen since.
A campaign to appeal for its return was launched by Morley Town Councillor Terry Grayshon. And incredibly, after a lengthy search, it was discovered that a local man had found it some years ago and had kept it safe – meaning it can now be given pride of place at the town hall.
Coun Grayshon told the YEP: “Beryl Burton was a remarkable lady and did so much to promote the town of Morley, through her incredible feats of cycling. She held more records than you can shake a stick at and some of those records still remain unbroken.
“Morley Town Council wanted to replace the plaque which had previously hung on the Band Stand in Windsor Court. One night many years ago it disappeared and now no one seemed to be able to recall what it looked like. But a gentleman had found it lying on the floor all those years ago and kept it for safe keeping”
The plaque will be unveiled on Saturday, September 10 at 11am by the Town Mayor of Morley Councillor Judith Elliott and by Beryl Burton’s husband Charlie Burton.
The plaque commemorates Beryl’s numerous cycling achievements and will be kept inside of the Town Hall for safety. A copy of the plaque will also be placed in the nearby Beryl Burton Garden, which was created following the cyclist’s death in 1996.
The Mayor of Morley Coun Judith Elliott said: “I am so very pleased that we are able to recognise the truly outstanding contribution which Beryl made to her sport and to the town of Morley as a member of the Morley Cycling Club. It is fitting that the plaque is being placed in the main foyer of Morley Town Hall, in order that all who visit this wonderful building will be reminded of Beryl and her outstanding achievements”
Comments