Alun Pugh led a small but attentive group of people on this annual walk through parts of the Cemetery, - it was good to see some new faces. Alun had selected graves linked with WW1, mostly showing names of men who had been killed abroad and remembered on headstones, including 2 sets of brothers. Members of the group took it in turns to lay a British Legion small wooden cross with poppy in front of each headstone.

There were some men who had survived the War, or had been invalided out and are buried in the Cemetery. Interestingly, although most of them were shown on family graves, some were on Guinea Graves and we would never have known they were casualties of war if it hadn’t been for the research by the Family History section of Wetherby’s U3A*. The walk finished at the Cross of Sacrifice where a wreath was laid and 2 minutes silence observed.

(The Friends are working towards a publication showing all those people who died during WW1 and are commemorated on headstones, using the findings of the U3A – the people behind the names.)

*University of the Third Age

it was a fine day to be planting daffodil bulbs around the area the masons have recently tested and tidied up. We look forward to seeing a blaze of colour in the Spring.

Picture shows Barrie, Monica and Alun

The new view shows the site across the road, which has recently been cleared and put up for sale. Temporarily, we now have a good view of the 1930’s Burton’s signage, although that building has had other uses for many years.

Heritage Open Days 2015 runs from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September. Alun Pugh will be leading two tours, each about an hour long on Thurs at 10am and Sat at 2pm – no need to book, just turn up and meet by the notice board beyond the temporary gates. Do spread the word!

Also open in the area, will be St Agnes United Church, Stoney Rock Lane, almost behind the Cemetery (Fri and Sat 11am –2pm). There are significant links here to the Burmantofts Pottery business, plus some beautiful stained glass windows and a font full of fossils.

For many more local events, look out for the leaflet with a proud Leeds Owl on the front, or see the full list of events in Leeds and beyond at www.heritageopendays.org.uk

On Saturday, 13th June 2015 the FoBSC hosted the National Federation of Cemetery Friends Annual General Meeting at the Thackray Museum, over the road from Beckett Street Cemetery.