FRIENDS of High Royds Memorial Garden chairman, Ron Sweeney, thanked a well-attended annual general meeting and open meeting of the Friends for their support.

Their support has led to national recognition for the garden and chapel by people such as Michael Portillo who featured it in a national television programme.

Thanks were also given to Bradford Council's education department, which sponsored a 25 minute DVD, produced in conjunction with pupils from Dixon-Allerton Academy, and Dominic Brunt - Paddy Kirk, the veterinary surgeon in Emmerdale - who agreed that the Memorial Garden is 'a lesson to us all on how to treat people with kindness not cruelty'.

The regional and national publicity has led to some 2.3 million hits on the Garden’s website, said Mr Sweeney, with enquiries from as far away as Australia.

In the past month, town councillors and others in Epsom, Surrey have contacted the Chapel Trustees. Epsom wish to restore a derelict cemetery, where 8500 former mental health patients are buried, and are seeking advice from the High Royds Memorial Garden/Chapel management committee as to how best to proceed.

The First and Second World War memorial plaque, which was stolen when High Royds Hospital closed, has now been restored and is part of a display which features a Tower of London ceramic poppy which formed part of the national celebrations centred on London but encompassing the country.

Mr Sweeney declared the Memorial Garden and Chapel a 'credit to the community'.

"By their support the community has set a high standard but to maintain it does require regular help and giving," he said.

The Honorary Secretary, Councillor Quentin Mackenzie, in giving the financial report, thanked all those who gave donations but pointed to the necessity for further fund raising to ensure regular maintenance is carried out to keep up the high standard that has been set.

Donations can now be given via the Just Giving” mobile phone text service. By dialling 70070 and the message FHRG15£xx (with whatever amount people may wish to give) it has started to prove to be a useful fund raiser in addition to activities such as coffee mornings.