The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr. Anne Castle, her Consort Husband Mr Graham Castle, local Clergy, Celebrants and NAFD Yorkshire Area Federation President Phil Barr, were among the invited guests that attended the Dedication Service of the recently opened West Park branch of G.H. Dovener & Son in Leeds.
G.H. Dovener & Son was established in the 1920’s and has an excellent reputation in and around the Leeds area. In 1958 they built a state-of-the-art mortuary with two porcelain post mortem tables, a concrete floor with drainage troughs, ventilation, special lighting and two chapels of rest. They were the first people in the North of England to have such facilities. The premises at West Park are part of an expansion project for the company and will compliment their existing branch in North Lane, Headingley, Leeds.
The Lord Mayor was met and shown around the funeral home by Colin Muhl, Branch Development Manager (Yorkshire area of Funeral Partners).
The service was carried out by Rev. Tom Lusty of St. Chad’s Church in Far Headingley. During the service, the Lord Mayor unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and was presented with a cheque by Martin Dovener, the Grandson of the original G.H. Dovener, for £500 to her chosen charity – Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
After the service everyone enjoyed a buffet lunch in the large marquee that had been erected outside especially for the event.
Colin said: “The day went very well and the weather was kind to us. Everyone who attended said that they had enjoyed it and thought that the service and surroundings were a credit to the company.”
