Local tributes planned to Captain Tom on Saturday for funeral

Bradford Council says flags will be flying at half-mast this weekend to honour Keighley-born Captain Sir Tom Moore and mark the day of his funeral.

Captain Sir Tom died earlier this month aged 100, after raising to prominence last summer by raising more than £30 million for NHS charities.

Flags on civic buildings in Keighley and across the Bradford district will be at half-mast - and the bells of the City Hall clock tower will play Abide With Me and You’ll Never Walk Alone at 12 noon on Saturday as a tribute.

The bells of Bradford Cathedral will also toll 100 times from 6pm, once for each year of his life.

Council buildings including City Hall in the centre of Bradford also will be lit up in red, white and blue in the evening and overnight as a mark of respect.

An online Book of Condolence that was opened by Bradford Council will remain open this weekend and then be closed and stored in the Local Studies archive as a record for future generations. The online book of condolence can be found at bradford.gov.uk/your-council/the-lord-mayor/captain-sir-tom-moore-messages/

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Doreen Lee, said: “We’re immensely proud of Captain Sir Tom Moore, a son of our district, born and bred in Keighley. On Saturday we will take a moment to remember him and his family and friends at this sad time.

“We will remember his determination and optimism to get the job done and of his true Yorkshire grit. I hope people from across our district will also take a moment to remember him.”

Very Revd Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford, said: "Every day in February we have been ringing our bell at 6pm as part of the national Prayer for the Nation, where we set aside time every evening to pray for those who have been affected by COVID-19. We pray for a different group every weekday, and on Saturdays it is for those who are grieving.

“On Saturday we will particularly remember Captain Tom, and his family. We will be ringing our bell 100 times in his memory, at 6pm, one toll for each year of his life, to mark his great work in raising money for NHS charities, and lifting the spirits of the nation in these difficult times. This will also be a chance for everyone to remember all those who are grieving, at this time, or in physical or mental ill-health, and to pray for them."

 

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