New stage and sound system boost Town Hall's

status as a prime community asset

Haworth Ukulele Group are pictured entertaining a capacity audience following the official opening, on Saturday November 18th, of a new stage and sound system at Silsden Town Hall. The boost to performance arts has been provided by the Friends of Silsden Town Hall through a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery. The Friends are applying to take over management of the Town Hall when cash-starved Bradford council ceases to fund the building in April. A public meeting to explain the campaign to save the venue will be held on Thursday, December 7th (7pm).

Well-known local figure Mike Carey, a retired head teacher, is pictured cutting the ribbon to officially launch the new stage, watched by John Peet, vice-chairman of the Friends of Silsden Town Hall. Mike's late wife, Brenda, took a leading role in the campaign to restore a stage to the town and was a founder of Silsden Community Productions.   

At the going down of the sun and

in the morning we will remember them

Silsden's Remembrance Day parade and service took place at the memorial gardens on Sunday, November 12th.

With the sun shining, more than 30 wreaths were laid by representatives of regiments, civic authorities, emergency services, local groups and businesses.

Armed Forces wreaths were laid on behalf of Normandy Veterans, Royal Marines, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, Coldstream Guards, Royal Artillery, Royal Norfolk Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals, Parachute Regiment, Mercian Regiment, Royal Air Force and Royal Air Force Regiment.

The Silsden Royal British Legion wreath was laid by president Douglas Boulton.

Silsden mayor Peter Robinson waits his turn to place the town's tribute on the war memorial.  

Hymns accompanied by Silsden Town Band and prayers preceded the laying of wreaths.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of Silsden's three churches: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Methodist and St James'. 

The 1st Silsden Scouts and Brownies and the 3rd Keighley and Steeton Scouts laid wreaths.

 Some of the many people who attended the Remembrance Day service. 

The attendance seems to increase each year.

Wreaths were laid (left to right) by Friends of Silsden Green Spaces, Co-op food hall, Co-op Funeral Care and Silsden Local History Group.

The Rev David Griffiths, Vicar of St James' Church, read war poet Wilfred Owen's "Disabled", which includes the lines:
Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked him; and then inquired about his soul.

Scout Matthew Watson (right) recited "In Flanders Fields", probably the best-known poem of the First World War, written by Canadian military surgeon John McCrae as he tended the wounded on the Western Front. Pictured with Matthew (left to right) are Father Michael McLaughlin, parish priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Graham Iliffe, representing Silsden Methodist Church, whose Minister the Rev Ruth Crompton was jointly conducting the service at Keighley Shared Parish Church; and the Rev David Griffiths, Vicar of St James'.

These poppies were pictured growing in a Flanders roadside a few years ago. Poppies eternally symbolise the sacrifices of all those killed in two world wars and in numerous other conflicts.

Jean Bower, chairman of Silsden Royal British Legion and parade commander, said the increasing attendances on Remembrance Sunday were heartening.

Nelson Holmes, of Aire View, was the youngest Silsden soldier to die in the First World War. Aged 18, he was killed in a trench at Ypres just before Christmas of 1915. His grave, at Talana Farm Cemetery a few miles outside Ypres, is pictured above by Beth Liddle Photography.

The name of Nelson Holmes can be seen on this section of Silsden war memorial.