Address by Councillor Bernard Atha OBE
Chairman of the Celebration Day for the Rededication of Prince Philip Centre – 4th June 1993.
In 1960 Harold Epstone, a Leeds Industrialist and President of the Leeds Youth Clubs Organisation had the vision of a centre and associated playing fields to serve the youth and wider community of this part of the city.
His vision, altruism and drive lead to the erection of this Centre which His Royal Highness Prince Philip agreed to open and to carry his name and title.
This Centre has served the community well. At these times of social fragmentation if not social disintegration its services are increasingly needed and increasingly valuable. The Prince Philip Centre is a living testimonial to Harold Epstone and it is a delight that Harold’s widow Kathleen Wenban is able to participate in this rededication in the presence of His Royal Highness.
What enormous pleasure it gives to all that you, Sir, having inaugurated the Centre in 1969 should now honour its rededication following a fire and rebuilding. It is nearly 25 years since you graciously opened the Centre. May I extend an invitation now to you to grace our 50th Anniversary in a further 25 years time. The Centre is privileged to have such generous royal patronage which has lead to four visits to the Centre. It is a source of great pleasure that a number of members of PHAB who were present in 1969 are here today for the rededication.
Many of PHAB’s members, a great many of whom are wheelchair users, joined PHAB because they were confined to their homes because of lack of transport. PHAB in Leeds has a door to door policy, a fleet of four specially adapted mini buses and a corps of voluntary drivers who have taken members to every corner of the British Isles and on Continental trips. The commitment is personified in George Cox, PHAB President, who was invited to drive for PHAB in 1971 and has done so ever since.
Today also sees the launch of a special appeal by Ann Hart to raise £25,000 for the purchase of a new vehicle, this will be the 9th that Ann’s efforts have produced. Our thanks must go to Ann for 20 years of dedicated and successful service.
I must thank too, in the presence of your Royal Highness, all those volunteers, patrons, companies and individuals who have been so supportive of this splendid venture.
A special mention must be made of Leeds City Council, which though from time to time does not move at the speed one would hope, has over the years through the support of its Education, Leisure and Social Services Committees made this Centre possible and thus helped to provide a base for PHAB, an organisation for which I have unstinted respect and admiration. It is good to see Councillor Gabb here, an ardent supporter of the Centre.
Today is a day of great joy and celebration – celebration of success over adversity, of the ability of people to work together in a worthwhile cause and of the basic decency, compassion and care of ordinary people. I feel honoured to be associated with the Centre and with PHAB which so clearly represents the best qualities and aspects of our society.
It is now my great pleasure to invite The Revd Stephen Oliver, Rector of Leeds, to rededicate the Centre. The Centre serves all without distinction of race, creed, colour or conviction. It is appropriate nevertheless to invite the Rector of Leeds to perform this rededication ceremony, I know dear Harold Epstone would have approved.
