Remembrance Sunday will be marked in the Parish at three services:
At 9.15am, in St Helen's Church we will gather around the bronze War Memorial at the West End to hold a two minutes silence.
At 10.45am, there will be a Act of Remembrance at the Walton War Memorial, followed by a service at St Paul's Church with the Methodist church.
At 10.45 am, the Café Church service at The Spring will also hold a two minute silence at 11am.
Everyone is welcome to attend one or other of these moving events.
Crofton Silver Band playing before the Walton Colliery Memorial Dedication Ceremony organised by Working for Walton.
A moving ceremony was held this morning at Walton Colliery Nature Park, to dedicate a Memorial Pit Wheel to commemorate all the people who worked at Walton Colliery (Sharlston West) 1890-1979, and to remember the five men who lost their lives in the Walton Colliery Disaster in an explosion at 10 East Face on 22nd April, 1959.
Crofton Silver Band set the scene with beautiful music, and Mark Blount, Chair of Working for Walton welcomed everyone and thanked the many people who have helped bring this project to fruition. Trevor Chalkley, of the National mining Museum, gave a fascinating account of the history of the mine. The Vicar of the Parish, Rupert Martin, gave the dedication and blessing, (transcribed below). The Memorial Wheel was unveiled by Terry Lloyd, former collier at Walton Colliery, and the Mayor of Wakefield, Charles Keith made a heartfelt speech to conclude the ceremony.
Dedication and Prayer of Blessing by Revd Rupert Martin
This wheel represents the ongoing memory of Walton Colliery and the people who worked here from 1890-1979. In the beautiful landscape of this Nature Park it is important to have a visible sign of all the buildings that once stood here; the winding gear, the chimney, the outbuildings and the terraced houses on Spike Island. It is important to have above ground something that reminds us of the toil and sweat of the work underground, and the camaraderie of those who worked the seams. Above all it is essential we remember the lives of those who lived and worked in this vital part of the village of Walton, and to honour those miners who are here today.
We remember all those who died while working in this mine, including four members of the Ray family who died in 1914, 1944, 1957 and 1959. In particular we remember the five miners killed in the Walton Colliery disaster of 22nd April, 1959:
Wilfred Wardle,
Laurie Coe,
Charles, Ray,
John Rothery,
William Hudson
We honour their memory and their courage, which represents the courage of every man and boy, some as young as 14, who chose to go down into a place of danger for the sake of their family, their community and their nation.
Today I also want to draw attention to the fact that on our Parish War Memorial are the names of 12 coal miners who died in World War 1; 9 from Walton, 2 from Sharlston and 1 from Crigglestone. Mining was a reserved occupation, but many men chose to enlist and nearly one half of those from this village who died in WW1 were coal miners, who went from pit to trench and never returned.
We honour them today alongside all those who died working here, and alongside that who lived and worked here for many years, providing fuel for the nation and food for their families,
enduring the hard work with grit and courage, enjoying the camaraderie with loyalty and humour, contributing their energy and vitality to this village during the life of Walton Colliery up to this very day.
Prayer of Dedication and Blessing
Heavenly Father,
today we remember with gratitude
the men who went underground,
the men and women who worked above ground,
those who died in the pit,
and those who died in the trenches.
We thank you for the life of Walton Colliery
and its contribution to the life of this village.
We dedicate this wheel to honour this place and this people,
and we ask your blessing on all who have worked and served here,
whether they are in heaven or on earth,
that the memory of their lives and deeds
will always burn brightly in our hearts,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour,
Amen.
My father worked in twenties. He would cycle from Wrenthorpe work a full shift on the coalface walk back two miles to shaft bottom then cycle home. One day someone pinched his bike so he looked for a pit nearer home. Only a bottle of cold tea and bread and dripping for substinence. Good old days.
The refurbished Portobello Community Centre was reopened on Saturday in glorious sunshine. Sally Martin told the story of the Centre over the years, its role at the heart of the estate, and the bright future that lies ahead. Thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the party.
All the main groups that use the Centre were represented:
Inspiring Community Youth Groups,
Fusion Youth Group for those with Autism and Aspergers,
Portobello Craft & Camera Group,
Strong Tower Christian Centre,
Stride Theatre Group,
African Forum,
CAP Lounge Drop in with Lunch.
A big thank you to all those who made this possible, especially Matt Taylor of ATP Builders for the excellent work they did, David Cross for the beautiful new graffiti wall with the help of a team of Portobello children, and David Penney for the stylish gates.
The project has been overseen by Portobello Community Forum, who will run the Centre, and the building will also house Christians against Poverty Debt Centre.
The next big celebration will be the Centenary of the building of the Portobello Estate in 1921, the first in Wakefield.
Looks fantastic, many an evening spent in there at various groups over the years. Glad the good work keeps going!
Well done SallyRupert Martin - what a journey of love and faith - 💗💗 and a huge amount of slog !!!!
SallyRupert Martin. This looks amazing. Congratulations to you all xx
Fabulous
Fantastic !
Didnt mind this happening but the parking was ridiculous!! Could have been a serious accident! Parking in both sides of the street and down the grove so we couldnt get down! Something need to be said or done!
Families@4pm this Sunday at St Helen's. We begin with tea, pizza, and cakes, and continue with creative worship, including a Baptism this Sunday.
The photograph shows children at the last F@4 placing pictures of themselves as a part of God's amazing universe.
Can anyone join in xx
A beautiful new work of art, painted by Rachel Chapman has gone up in The Spring Café, depicting in the soft, pastel colours of dawn, a tree drawing up the life-giving water of Christ through the roots of prayer, to nourish the fruit of the Spirit.
Prayer requests can be made at any time by attaching them to our Prayer Tree on the counter. Every morning before the Spring opens, we pray these prayers.
Glad you like it! There was quite a long planning process beforehand with Catherine and Rupert and a few others. We tried to make sure it represented what The Spring is about. I think we achieved that 😊
It has a lovely presence too..🥰
It's beautiful x
Amazing painting, truly beautiful xxx
Beautiful !!
Beautiful
Beautiful! Well done Rachel! Looks fab xx
Stunning Rachel! X
That is beautiful.
Love it x
Its beautiful Rachel Chapman. I need one for my house! X
