On Friday 13 May Town Mayor Councillor Julie Adams and Chair of the Allotments and Landscapes Committee Councillor John Kirby joined Reverend Dr. Tracey Raistrick and Patricia Thorne, to dedicate a newly planted orchard to the memory of Town Councillor Barry Thorne who passed away in December 2019.
As well as being a tireless activist for disabled people of all ages he also served for over 30 years as a councillor, being appointed mayor of the district in 1992-1993, and lately as a town councillor for the Bracken Bank and Ingrow ward of Keighley.
Reverend Raistrick performed a blessing of the site after which Councillor Adams said,
“On behalf of all our councillors and everyone who knew Barry I am delighted to name this plantation Thorne wood as a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community”
Councillor John kirby thanked everyone involved in the project and said,
“This living memorial will be a lasting tribute to someone who not only campaigned on behalf of disabled and disadvantaged people but also took a keen interest in the preservation of the environment and the creation of new natural habitats and accessible green spaces”.
Thorne Wood forms part of an extensive tree planting initiative undertaken by Keighley Town Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and is located along the Damems Nature Trail.