Bramley and Pudsey will remember the Somme

Residents from Bramley, Stanningley and Rodley will come together to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on Friday.

A day of commemoration based around the Bramley War Memorial at Bramley Park will start at 7.15am on July 1 with an act of remembrance and bugler sounding the last post.

Later, people will gather for a service of remembrance at 10.30am with seating available for those who need it.

Special artwork depicting difference facets of World War One will be displayed at the parade of shops on Upper Town Street opposite the War Memorial.

Artwork includes the impact on the mental health of soldiers, life in the trenches and the contribution of men from across the British Empire. There will also be a special display of WW1 artefacts in the café from 7am.

The commemorations have been organised by local residents from the Friends Bramley War Memorial group and Annabel Gaskin, a co-opted member of the council’s Inner West Community Committee.

Bramley and Stanningley Councillor, and chair of the committee, Kevin Ritchie thanked the volunteers for marking this sombre occasion:

“77 men from Bramley, Stanningley and Rodley lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme, and I would urge everyone to join us on 1st July to remember their sacrifice.”

Marking @ArmedForcesDay & posters up for #Somme100 next Friday with Act & Service of Remembrance 7.25 am & 10.45 am pic.twitter.com/RrjZRMa4kl

— Bramley War Memorial (@BramleyMemorial) 25 June 2016

There will also be an act of Remembrance at Pudsey Cenotaph on Saturday, July 2 at 10.45am.