Siegen  Burgermeister Lights Candle of Peace at Festival Of Remembrance

 

Morley Borough Independent Councillor Terry Grayshon hosted the Festival of Remembrance held in Morley Town Hall on Friday 10th November.  The Festival was the idea of Councillor Grayshon who felt that the event should take Place, he said " I am pleased that the Festival has been such a resounding success and I would like to thank the members of the Festival Committee who have helped make it so."  Ulf Stötzel, Mayor of Siegen joined Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Jack Dun and the Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Mark Harris at a Festival of Remembrance held in Morley Town Hall on Friday 10th November.  Herr Stötzel was invited to light a Candle in Remembrance of those who had fallen in conflict, by Town Mayor of Morley, Councillor Robert Gettings.

Herr Stötzel had flown to Leeds specially to take part in the Festival of Remembrance and to lay a wreath at Morley’s War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Over 500 members of the Public attended the Festival of Remembrance, the first to be held in the City for a number of years.  Councillor Terry Grayshon, Chairman of the Festival of Remembrance Committee commented, “ I am so pleased that the Mayor of Siegen, our twin town, was able to accept our invitation to the light the Peace Candle. The Burgermeister of Siegen, Morley’s Twin Town in Germany, seemed the obvious choice and Herr Stötzel was very pleased to have been invited to perform the task”

Other special guests included Colonel Alan Roberts, Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, together with Mark Harris, Leader of Leeds City Council and members of Leeds City Council’s Executive Board. 

Local singer Mary Scargill had the audience singing along to a medley of wartime songs. Morley High School’s Choir performed “ No wars will stop us singing” and Jack Noble, performing the Stanley Holloway Classic “Sam, Sam Beat the Retreat”, also entertained the audience.

Others to perform included local Tenor, Alan Stirk who performed “Jerusalem” and led the audience in singing the National Anthem.   Members of Lewisham Youth Group performed a short play about conflict and bullying.

 The most poignant part of the evening came when Deputy Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jack Dunn, gave a moving performance of the Martin Niemollor verse “First They Came”.

 Following the successful event, the Festival of Remembrance looks set to become an annual event on the Morley Calendar and discussions are already taking place about the content of next years Festival.

 Councillor Grayshon concluded by saying, “ Once again this proves the people of Morley and indeed Leeds recognise the contribution made by the Armed Forces to our City and our Country. I would like to thank all those who took part in the Festival of Remembrance, particularly the Morley Branch of the Royal British Legion, Morley Salvation Army and Students from Morley High and Woodkirk, the City of Leeds 168 Squadron Air Cadets, together with Cadets from the Training Ship Ark Royal, for making it such a resounding Success.  I am proud that Morley and it’s Town Hall was able to host such an event.”

Councillor Terry Grayshon laid a wreath, on behalf of the Lord Mayor Of Leeds, at the War Memorial in Scatcherd Park Morley on Remembrance Sunday.  Councillor Grayshon commented "It is an honour to be asked to lay the Civic Wreath on behalf of the Lord Mayor and the Citizens of Leeds.  Each year at Morley the crowds seem to grow in number, it is important that we remember those who have fallen during conflict.  The people of Morley turn out in greater numbers to remember each year."