70 Years On - Ceremony to rededicate Leeds Pals Monument (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

70 Years On - Ceremony to rededicate Leeds Pals Monument

September 22, 2005 12:00 AM

Cllr Brenda Lancaster (Lib Dem, Moortown) has been instrumental in arranging for the future upkeep of the Cairn at Colsterdale placed in remembrance of the members of the Leeds Pals regiment who lost their lives during the First World War.

Councillor Lancaster said "I was involved in a 'White Paper Motion' which members of Leeds City Council recently agreed to, which means that the Council will now pay the Earl of Swinton's estate to take on the maintenance of the Cairn at Colsterdale, which was where the Pals were based before they went over to France. The arrangement means that there will be proper provision for the maintenance of the Cairn from now on, rather than leaving it up to the Supporters of the Pals to give up their time and money to keep it in good repair. Those volunteers have done a wonderful job in keeping the Cairn and surrounding area in good condition in recent years, but I think the Council has a moral duty to pay for the work".

"We've consulted with the supporters, and with their agreement some minor works have already been done, including the renovation and re-gilding of the plaque on the Cairn. To mark the 70th anniversary of the first unveiling of the cairn, a rededication ceremony will take place at Colsterdale on Wednesday 28th September at 2.15pm. The Lord Mayor of Leeds and I will attend, as will the Rector of Leeds, a representative of the Earl of Swinton's estate, together with a number of the Supporters of Leeds Pals with family connections".

The plaque on the Cairn bears the following inscription:

1914-1918

THIS CAIRN WAS ERECTED BY THE SURVIVORS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF THE 15TH BATT. WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (LEEDS 'PALS') TO MARK THE SITE OF THE FIRST CAMP (SEPTEMBER 1914) AND IS DEDICATED TO ALL WHO SERVED IN THE BATTALION.

UNVEILED SEPT 28TH 1935

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.