Time to remember the fallen

I would like to thank all those who attended and especially Boroughbridge British Legion for organising a faultless parade and service.

It was encouraging to see a large number of children and young adults turning up to show their appreciation.

I had the honour of laying the first wreath on behalf of Boroughbridge Town Council. On Wednesday we honoured the fallen with a two-minute silence.

I just wish that one day everybody will follow this custom unlike the man shouting at his dog in Knaresborough in front of myself and my work colleagues as we stood in silence.

It is also 100 years since the start of the Gallipoli campaign. A disastrous event that cost over 180,00 lives.

Julie and I were privileged to visit the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey a few years ago.

It is a very quiet and beautiful place with a sad history. One of the most moving things we saw was the memorial at Anzac Cove.

It was built by the Turks and the inscription on it was written by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk the first President of Turkey. It is very difficult to read without feeling some emotion.

Last Saturday we were invited to visit an exhibition which was planned, researched and built by students of Queen Etheburgas School to remember the evacuees of Queen Ethelburgas during WW2.

The students of Queen Ethelburgas were evacuated from Harrogate which was the location of the original school to Studley Royal House for their safety during the war.

This very impressive exhibition chronicles the life of these girls throughout the war and includes a lot of moving personal accounts and photographs and also includes a lot of original letters, school books and art work.

The exhibit has now moved to Fountains Abbey and is well worth a visit to read and see these very impressive accounts.

Sadly as I am writing, the tragic events in Paris are unfolding. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to their family and friends in these troubled times.