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4 – Holme Valley Review, December 2012
Mulled wine and carols in the park JOIN Meltham and Meltham Mills Band for Victorian Carols in the Park on Sunday December 9 from 4pm. Mulled wine and mince pies will get everyone in the mood to sing their favourite Christmas carols at this free event in Meltham
Hall Park, supported by Meltham Town Council and the Crossroads charity shop. Organisers are advising visitors to park at St James Church and Meltham Hall car parks, and to bring a torch.
Let me entertain you, says Gary A MELTHAM tour guide and comic says he’s determined to go to Afghanistan and entertain British troops there. Gary Naylor wants to make the trip in honour of Pte Tom Wroe, the 18-year-old Meltham soldier who died in September. Gary is a friend of the Wroe family and knew Tom since he was a baby. “It really got to me when Tom died. All he ever wanted was to be a soldier,” Gary said. “This would be my way of saying thanks to all the lads out there and to tell them they are not there in vain. “I’d also really like to lay a wreath for Tom on behalf of everyone from Meltham. That would be an amazing thing to be able to do.” He has made his offer to Yorkshire regiment officers in Wakefield and Harrogate, and with their support has now sent a letter to the commander at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. He’s included a DVD of his stand-up comedy routine which he believes would give a real reminder of home to hundreds of young men and women serving there. “It would be great if I could be there to give them all a real laugh for Christmas but that’s probably too soon. I just want to go whenever I can,” he said. Hundreds of British tourists get a
Tom’s family says thanks
Gary Naylor taste of Gary’s routine each year when he entertains them on coach tours around the Holme Valley. He started his career, however, as a stand-up comic and mimic. “I only started doing tour guiding as a relief between comedy performances and it really took off,” he explained. “I found I could mimic the characters from Last of the Summer Wine and that went down a storm with the tourists. “My full act includes stuff from all my comedy heroes – Eric Morecambe, Les Dawson, Ronnie Barker, as well as Summer Wine stuff. I’ve got hours of material to deliver and I know they would love it. I just hope the Army takes me up on my offer and says yes!”
TOM Wroe’s father says his family has been “bowled over” by incredible local support since Tom was killed in September. Mick Wroe told the Review how he, Tom’s mum Claire and sister Demi have appreciated the hundreds of kind messages they have received: “Everyone has been amazing. It’s really helped to know that people are proud of him and what he did.” Mick says he is particularly grateful for events held in Tom’s honour that have raised money for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund. A recent music night and auction at Meltham Conservative Club raised £1,122 and an event at Greenacres Care Home raised a further £600. “It’s incredible that people have rallied round in this way,” he said. “It’s important that we get the chance to say thanks to everyone who has supported us and that they know we are very grateful.”