Remembrance Sunday Service 11th November 2018

This year to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War in 1918 we shall be holding a service in St James's Church Heckmondwike at 0945am on Sunday 11th November followed by our annual service of remembrance at the war memorial in Green Park, Heckmondwike around 11am.

Everyone is welcome to attend both services to remember & reflect on those who not only gave their lives in conflict but also those who served & continue to serve today

Wednesday 11th July 2018

In partnership with the members of Project Bugle, The Batley based First World War Commemoration Project, a Service of Remembrance will be held at 11am On Wednesday 11th July at the grave of Pvt 56181 Arthur Berry West Yorkshire Regiment ( Prince of Wales Own) in the Graveyard of Upper Independant Chapel, Heckmondwike. Arthur died of Pneumonia in hospital in Whitley Bay 100 years ago to the day. He lived nearby at 147 Halifax Road with his father John William Berry. All are invited to join us in a short service. Guests are asked to meet in the Chapel car park at 1030am

Photo Courtesy of Upper Independant Chapel Private Collection

Remembrance Sunday Service 2017

Our annual Service of Remembrance will take place in Green Park, Heckmondwike on Sunday 12th November 2017 at 12 noon.

Friends old and new are most welcome to join us to remember & reflect on all those from Heckmondwike & district who gave their lives in the service of their country & to also remember those who served in our Armed Forces throughout the years and those who continue to serve today.

Anyone is welcome to lay a wreath,cross or personal message at the war memorial.

2017 Poppy Appeal

Our local 2017 Poppy Appeal will begin on Monday 30th October  till Saturday 11th November and once again Morrisons Supermarket have kindly let us set up our stall in store. As well as traditional Poppies we will have pin badges, car stickers, Bag tags as well as items for kids. And remember we will accept any old £1 you may still have. So clear your purse and donate to us so that we may continue supporting our veterans and their families for years to come

Avery Mews Garden Party Saturday 12th August 2017

Once again we'll be taking part in this wonderful local event on Saturday 12th August 2pm-4pm where we will have a stall with Poppy Appeal merchandise as well as a cake & food stall raising funds for our Heckmondwike Branch of The Royal British Legion.

We'll be joined this year by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who we're promised will be selling some mouthwatering traditional Asian food as part of their fundraising for us this year.

So come along have a fun day out for all and come support us and learn more about what the Legion does

See you there!

Our first Call in Centre

We are pleased to announce our first Call in Centre will take place in Heckmondwike Library on Friday 31st March 1pm-4pm.

Come along and have a chat and get to know us and the work the Legion does.

Are you a veteran or a carer for someone who served in our Armed Forces since WW2. Do you need help with Welfare,Finances, Healthcare, Employment or need jobs doing around the home?

Maybe you just want someone to talk to and a friendly ear to listen

Our Branch Chairman Mr Wayne McDonald will be in the library to offer advice and assistance. It is hoped if successful we can hold a monthly Call in Centre at the library as a focal point for veterans and their families to come.

Many thanks to Kirklees Library Services for allowing us to use their facilities

Christmas 2016 Branch Chairman's Message

Well it's that time of year again! And what a year 2016 has been for our Branch.

Yet again we've exceeded last years Poppy Appeal Collection and the generousity of the people of Heckmondwike never ceases to amaze me at a time when we're all feeling the pinch. A massive Thank You to each and everyone of you we really cannot do what we do without your support.

This year saw us becoming more involved with our local community and forming new friendships which we hope to continue and expand in 2017.

Special thanks must go to 1st Heckmondwike Scouts, Avery Mews Care Home and St James's Church.

We've seen great support from Heckmondwike Grammar School and in 2017 hope we can nurture our partnership and involve more young people in our activities and fundraising together with other local schools.

In 2017 I am keen also to involve organistions and groups from a wide range of religions. I want to work with them to not only fundraise and raise awareness of The Royal British Legion amongst our diverse communities but to also Remember the sacrifice and service made by thousands of the Muslim,Sikh & Hindu faiths as well as other religions.

This Christmas let us remember those from past wars but also those from more recent conflicts who continue to live with life changing injuries and illnesses. And also those who serve in our Armed Forces protecting the freedom we all enjoy today.

If you know a Veteran or a serving member of our Armed Forces this Xmas why not buy them a card or a little gift to say Thank You. We owe them a great debt.

I hope you all have a wonderful & peaceful Christmas and I look forward to seeing and meeting many of you in 2017

Wayne McDonald Branch Chairman Heckmondwike

Annual General Meeting 2016

Our AGM took place on Thursday 17th November in St James Church, Heckmondwike and there were a couple of changes to our Branch Officers.

Mrs Carol Bridgman becomes our new Secretary taking over form Mr John Horwood who continues as our Treasurer & Poppy Appeal Organiser.

Mrs Rosemary Hartley becomes our first Welfare Liason Officer.

We wish all new & old Branch Officers Good Luck for the forthcoming year ahead

Remembrance Sunday 2016

Our Annual Service of Remembrance will take place in Green Park, Heckmondwike at 12noon on Sunday 13th November.

Led by Churches Together we'll gather to remember the men & women of Heckmondwike & District who have gave their lives in both World Wars and all conflicts since and as a grateful Thank You to all those who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces.

Those wishing to place tributes on the War Memorial may do so at the end of the Blessing & Service.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Service and although it is traditionally a Christian faith led event we encourage local people of any Faith/Religion or indeed of no religion at all to join us in Remembrance.

We will begin to gather at 1145am in the Park.

Somme Centenary Event

A huge Thank you to all those who came to the Candlelit Service at St James Church to mark the Somme Centenary.

The service was led by West Yorkshire Police Chaplain for Kirklees Rev Keith Pratt and commenced with the march of the Branch Standard by Mr Shawn Hartley and Beavers,cubs and scouts from the local 1st Heckmondwike Scout Group.

A moving history of the Battle of the Somme & our local men who were lost on 1st July 1916 was made by our Chairman Mr Wayne McDonald.

Matthew Jagger, a pupil of Heckmondwike Grammar School, gave a excellent reading of the poem by Rupert Graves "Two Fusiliers".

Our Act of Remembrance was led by Mr Wayne McDonald assisted by our Branch President Mr Peter Bustard.

Rosemary Hartley, Legion member read beautifully "In Flanders Fields" by John McRae.

Hymns were sung and prayers and reflection led by Rev Pratt and the service ended with National Anthem.

We were even filmed and featured on the late bulletin of BBC Look North.

Drinks and cake went down especially well and a very big Thank You must go to Morrisons Supermarket for their kind donation of this.

A total of £86 was raised for the Poppy Appeal.

Spen Valley Historical Society with help from Kirklees libraries had a wonderful visual and informative display on the all the men of Heckmondwike who were lost and had served throughout WW1.

Thanks again for all members pulling together to make this event happen and to the community of Heckmondwike for their attendance and support

Battle of the Somme Centenary Candlelit Service Thursday 30th June 7.15pm

We invite the Community of Heckmondwike to join us on the eve of the centenary of The Battle of the Somme in a special service to remember the men of Heckmondwike & District who fell on the Somme in World War 1 and in memory of all those who served.

St James Church,Church Street, Heckmondwike, WF16 0AX 7.15pm

Refreshments available afterwards

M62 Coach Bomb Memorial Parade Sunday 7th February 2016

On this the 42nd Anniversary of this tragic event, which took place on 4th February 1974, a memorial service and parade will take place at Hartshead Moor Services on the westbound M62. Meet there at 1030am. Would be great to have as many branch members attend as we can to pay our respects

Twitter feed launched 19/01/2016

You can now follow our branch on Twitter for updates and details of forthcoming events. Click here

Branch meeting Thursday 21st January

Our first meeting of 2016 takes place at 7.30pm at St James's Church, Heckmondwike. Hoping for a good turn out of members and if you're not yet a member why not pop down and see what we're all about and get to know us and our aims.

A Christmas Message from our Branch Chairman

This year has been amazing in terms of the amount raised for the Poppy Appeal 2015 in Heckmondwike. The people of Heckmondwike have given so generously this year and what made me smile was seeing so many Young children,Young Adults and people of every faith and ethnicity donating and supporting the Legion. The amount of local people who attend our Remembrance Service also seems to be growing as each year passes.

2016 will be my first year as Branch Chairman and with the help of all Branch members i'm hoping that we can grow our branch and have a range of social & community events to engage not only ourselves but  local people, businesses, schools and institutions.

We have so much work to do so have a good rest over the holidays as you need save that energy for 2016!

Wishing you all a Happy, Peaceful & Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Wayne McDonald-Branch Chairman

NEWS

• The Next Branch Meeting is on Thursday 19th May 2016 in the Community Room of St James Church in Heckmondwike. It starts at 7.30pm.

•  A Poppy Picnic was held at Heckmondwike Primary School on 22nd September 2015 and was well supported by Children and School staff. A total of £275 was raised and a massive Thank You to all those who dipped in their pockets and to the organisers for their time and lovely food!

• At the AGM we elected a new President, Mr Peter Bustard,who steps down from the role of Chairman he's held for many years and who's given so much of his time and work successfully to promote our branch. Stepping into the role of Chairman is Mr Wayne McDonald, assisted by Mr Kim Bridgman as Vice Chairman. Wayne will also be our first Media & Social events Officer. Mr Shawn Hartley joins us as both Membership Secretary & Standard Bearer. Mr John Horwood continues as Secretary & Treasurer as well as taking on the mammoth task of Poppy Appeal Coordinator.
   We look into 2016 with the hope of growing our membership and promoting our branch awareness with a range of Social and Community events.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Branch Meeting Thursday 20th October 2016

• Poppy Appeal launched 27th October

• Armistice Day Friday 11th November 2016

• Remembrance Day Service Sunday 13th November 2016. Green Park, Heckmondwike