COMMUNITIES across Leeds came together on Remembrance Sunday to honour those who lost their lives in conflict, with services and parades held across the area, including in Horsforth, Otley, Guiseley, Rawdon, Bramhope, Adel, Pool and Yeadon.
Local MP Katie White joined veterans, cadets, scouts, local residents and community leaders at commemorations in Horsforth and Otley, paying tribute to generations of servicemen and women who served and sacrificed their lives for their country.
In Horsforth, Katie joined the traditional Remembrance parade through the town before laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on Fink Hill. The service, organised by the Royal British Legion and Horsforth Town Council, included the Act of Remembrance, a two-minute silence and readings from Katie and Councillor Ray Jones.
Katie read The Inquisitive Mind of a Child by Harry Henshaw, a poem about a young child asking their grandfather why he wears a poppy, and learning about the sacrifices made by those who went to war. The reading reflected one of the day's central themes, the importance of passing the stories of those who served on to future generations.
The service was led by Reverend Chris Clayton, while Horsforth Town Council Chair Simon Dowling reminded those gathered that the names on the town's war memorial represented local people, including family members, friends and neighbours, whose lives were cut short by conflict.
Later in the day, Katie joined the Remembrance parade in Otley and attended the service at the Bridge United Reformed Church, organised by Otley Town Council and the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
The service included the reading of the names of local people who died in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts, alongside the traditional two-minute silence and Last Post.
Reverend Cameron Stirk delivered an address reflecting on the importance of community, kindness and choosing unity over division. He spoke about how people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds had fought side by side, and how the values of tolerance, acceptance and understanding remain just as important today.
During the commemorations, Katie also spent time speaking with veterans and members of local youth organisations, including 99-year-old Jeffrey Long, a former paratrooper and RAF veteran from Yeadon, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in December.
Wreaths were also laid on Katie's behalf at services in Guiseley, Rawdon and Bramhope.
Katie White MP said: "It was incredibly moving to see so many people come together to remember those who gave their lives for our country. The names on our war memorials are people from our own communities, whose lives and futures were cut short. We owe them so much.
"A particularly special moment was meeting Jeffrey, a 99-year-old veteran from Yeadon who turns 100 next month. It was also wonderful to see so many young cadets and Scouts helping keep those memories alive.
"These services remind us that remembrance is also about kindness, tolerance and standing together. People from different backgrounds fought side by side, and we honour them by carrying that same spirit into our communities today. My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. We will remember them."
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