Legion of honour

The 14th Festival Of Remembrance was once more hailed as a resounding success last night - despite initial fears it would not go ahead at the venue.

Veterans were left devastated when City of York Council advised the Royal British Legion to find a new location, because it was not certain whether the Barbican would be needed instead for the UK Snooker Championships. But they were eventually given the green light, following a public outcry.

Organiser Ted Griffiths, who is also president of the York branch of The Royal British Legion, paid tribute to the Evening Press for highlighting their plight.

"The support we got from the Evening Press was marvellous," he said. "Pressure from the readers helped to persuade members of the council to offer it to the Royal British Legion."

A huge illuminated red poppy greeted last night's 1,200 audience in the outdoor forecourt of the Barbican, as people poured in to honour those who bravely fought for their country in two world wars and other major conflicts.

There were more than 200 participants at the festival, which began with the standards of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army being filed through the audience to rest beside the stage.

In his opening address, Mr Griffiths told the packed hall: "Many of you will know that with the city council's decision to lease the Barbican Centre to Absolute Leisure it has meant the future of the festival was in doubt.

"After many months of uncertainty, no one was more delighted than I when receiving news that the new owners would not be taking over until December 1 and that the Barbican would be available for use to hire should we still wish to hold our Festival Of Remembrance."

Mr Griffiths said it was hoped more than £8,000 would be raised from the event for the Poppy Appeal.

Highlights of the festival included music from the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division, and the voices of the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir and the York Ladies.

246 Gurkha Signal Squadron 2 Signal Regiment also presented Gurkha cultural dances, including a children's dance and a kukri dance. The kukri is a traditional Nepalese large knife, which is carried by Gurkha soldiers.

We will remember...

WAR veterans gathered at York's Garden of Remembrance to pay respects to their fallen comrades.

Dozens of old soldiers laid wooden crosses at the garden in Duncombe Place, watched by the Lord Mayor, Coun Janet Looker.

The ceremony - which was mirrored at memorial sites across the country - marked the start of Remembrance Week.

John Graham, 83, who served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, said: "This is about remembering our friends who were killed during the war."

Coun Gilbert Nimmo, 61, who served in the infantry and Army Air Corps, said: "I had 37 years in the Army and this reminds me of all the people who I miss. It's important that everyone remembers."

Poppy Appeal organiser Joe Munday, 77, who served in the 6th Airborne Division, said the hard work to sell poppies would now begin.

Meanwhile, 12 Gurkha veterans have made the long journey from Nepal to York to take part in the city's Remembrance Day events.

Their trip was made possible through generous donations from Yorkshire people to a fundraising campaign led by Army signallers from 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron, based at Imphal Barracks in Fulford Road.

The visiting Gurkhas, who are veterans of various conflicts, were led by retired Major Harkabir Gurung, who served during the Second World War.

After taking part in yesterday's Festival of Remembrance at the Barbican, the 12 former signallers will be on parade for the first time at the national remembrance event at The Cenotaph, in Whitehall, on Sunday.

Major Ade Clewlow, who organised the collection and fundraising events to enable the veterans' visit to take place, said: "The generosity of people in Yorkshire has made it possible to bring the veterans on a journey they will never forget."

Updated: 10:28 Monday, November 08, 2004