News Release                Issued 9.11.09

 

North Yorkshire marks global remembrance day for road victims

Oak Leaf Service - Ripon Cathedral

The annual Oakleaf Service to remember victims of road collisions will be held at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday 15 November.

The service is held in partnership with North Yorkshire Police and Ripon Cathedral and will be part of the United Nation’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Victims.

The families and friends of people who have been killed or injured in collisions across North Yorkshire are invited to the service during which their loved one’s name is inscribed on an “Oak leaf” and placed at the altar.

The  service will be conducted by The Very Reverend Keith Jukes, Dean of Ripon Cathedral, who commented: “We are delighted to be hosting the Oakleaf Service once again at Ripon Cathedral as we remember those who have tragically been killed on our roads and continue to support their families at a time of sadness and loss.  The deaths caused by road traffic accidents in North Yorkshire come within a wider context.  During the last year over 1.2 million people lost their lives as a result of road accidents and we must all do what we can to support the Police and others in their desire to cut this huge loss.  All of us at Ripon Cathedral join in that desire not only to remember those who have lost their lives but to support the campaign of awareness.”

(Pictured below- Reverend Stephen Fisher - North Yorkshire Police Chaplain, Inspector Dave Brown - Head of Strategic Roads Policing, and Canon Paul Greenwell of Ripon Cathedral)

 

Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, Adam Briggs and the force’s Chaplain, The Reverend Stephen Fisher will both address the service.

Mr Briggs said: “The service is a very poignant occasion and serves as a sobering reminder of how important our work is and why we must continually strive to improve road safety and reduce casualties. 

“We see first-hand the devastation caused by road collisions and the remembrance service reinforces our determination to do all we can to reduce this toll.

“Since October 2008, 39 people have died on the county’s roads, although this is an excellent reduction compared to 63 for the same period last year, it is still 39 too many. Together with our partners who all share our drive to make the roads safer, we will continue the hard work being carried out to reduce this amount even further.”

Reverend Fisher added: “Anyone who has been affected by the devastation of a road collision is welcome to attend. The service is a fitting tribute to those who have died or been injured on the county’s roads.  It also gives an opportunity to acknowledge the important work of the emergency services and gives colleagues from across the area the chance to meet and recognise their common cause.”

The 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership includes North Yorkshire County Council, Police, Fire and Rescue and many other agencies who work together to reduce casualties on the roads.

Chair of 95 Alive David Bowe, Assistant Director of Highways for North Yorkshire County Council, said: "Much of the work we do is to try and make people think about how they can stay safe on the roads.  Sharing the road and taking responsibility is something we all need to do.

"The Oakleaf Service is a time in the year when the importance of what we are trying to do is brought home, and a time to think of those families and friends left behind. The tragedies that happen on our roads are a painful reminder of the reality of what a collision is, it's a loss, and we need to do all we can to help avoid it."

The service starts at 3pm and will last approximately one hour.

ENDS

 

Issued by John Carter (Rev)
Press and Communications Officer, Diocese of Ripon and Leeds

jhgcarter@aol.com
01423 530369 or mobile 07798 652707