Volunteers answer war graves call

A kind-hearted team of Delph volunteers answered an urgent call to action to clear up commonwealth war graves.

Headed by parish councillor Ken Hulme, the team cut back undergrowth and bushes and cleared paths to the three graves in the village’s Independent Chapel graveyard.

The party included former military personnel and children who wanted to ensure the graves were presentable for Remembrance Day on Sunday.

Councillor Hulme said: “I was delighted with generous-hearted response from locals and village stalwarts.

“For the past few years I and others have laid poppies on the three graves and, as more and more people now commemorate Remembrance Day, it seems only fitting that our local war graves are respected and cared for.

“The graveyard is in a conservation area and is packed with local history.

“We were able to clean up all three graves and clear up the paths and surrounding areas so it is now possible to see and visit these graves. I believe we must not let these men and their sacrifice fade into the history books.

“This was something that was really brought home to me when I accompanied Delph Youth Band on their trip to Belgium earlier this year when they visited Ypres and had the honour to play at the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.”

He added: “A real momentum has now developed and I will be seeking to see if a ‘Friends of the Chapelyard’ can be set up with relatives of those buried.”

Among the volunteers was Robert Knotts, a former RAF squadron leader, from Austerlands.

He said: “I was delighted to help. It really is important we remember the fallen from wars.”

Schoolchildren Niamh and Luke Price-Wagstaff, who joined the volunteers, added: “We just wanted to help out.”