Pictures: Leeds village shares in Royal British Legion milestone as new standard is dedicated

Villagers in Barwick in Elmet looked on with pride this weekend as their local Royal British Legion branch marked an important milestone.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2018, 23:11 BST
Updated 30th Apr 2018, 00:21 BST
A piper leads the procession from All Saints Church to the maypole and war memorial in Barwick in Elmet. Pictures: James HardistyA piper leads the procession from All Saints Church to the maypole and war memorial in Barwick in Elmet. Pictures: James Hardisty
A piper leads the procession from All Saints Church to the maypole and war memorial in Barwick in Elmet. Pictures: James Hardisty

After countless Remembrance parades, memorial services and armed forces events over more than four decades, the Barwick and Scholes branch’s ceremonial standard was beginning to show its age.

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On Saturday its new standard was dedicated in a service at All Saints Church and led through the village in the company of a piper and colourful county and group standards.

Standards are lowered at the war memorial where a wreath was also laid.Standards are lowered at the war memorial where a wreath was also laid.
Standards are lowered at the war memorial where a wreath was also laid.

The branch’s oldest member, 93-year-old Ted Stuart, brought the formal proceedings to a close by laying a wreath in front of the crowd assembled at the village’s war memorial.

Branch standard bearer Martyn Simpson, a 56-year-old RAF veteran, said: “The day went brilliantly, it really did. It’s 100 years since the end of the First World War and it’s the RAF’s centenary, so it’s significant to have our dedication in this year.

“We couldn’t find a record for the last standard but one of the members said it was dedicated some time between 1972 and 1975, so the standard I’ve been carrying was over 40 years old.”

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Also in news: 'Praying' Leeds United fan remembers nerve-wracking day at Elland Road 28 years agoFundraising for the new standard was aided by a donation from Elmet Parish Council and a collection held at the funeral of Legion member Audrey Akeroyd, Leeds’ first female Territorial Army sergeant.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Jane Dowson, and branch standard bearer Martyn Simpson hold the new commemorative standard.The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Jane Dowson, and branch standard bearer Martyn Simpson hold the new commemorative standard.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Jane Dowson, and branch standard bearer Martyn Simpson hold the new commemorative standard.

Mr Simpson said: “The day itself became not only a dedication but also a memorial to Audrey. Her family were there as well to see it all take place.

“The church itself was pretty much full. There’s pride within the villages and they do come out, support the Legion and make us welcome.

“It’s meant a lot for the village because it’s over 40 years since they’ve had anything like that take place.”

Also in news: Prisoner slammed by Leeds judge for hiding phone in tracksuit bottomsThe old standard will be officially retired later this year.

Related topics:VillagersLeedsRoyal British LegionPolice officer