Floral tributes at train station for Mirfield’s most famous son and Hollywood star Sir Patrick Stewart
Flowers have been left at Mirfield railway station in honour of the town’s most famous son, Sir Patrick Stewart, where there is a mural and painting of the Hollywood legend.
The star of stage and screen sadly passed away last Thursday (October 29), aged 86, at his Los Angeles home following a short battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy body dementia.
Sir Patrick was born on July 13, 1940, at 17 Camm Lane, and he attended Crowlees Church of England Junior and Infant School and then Mirfield Secondary Modern School, now Mirfield Free Grammar.
And tributes have flooded in from around the town.
Bouquets of flowers have been placed at the train station by the giant mural of Sir Patrick which adorns the wall on Station Road, while a beautiful plant pot sits under the portrait of the star on the platform painted by a Castle Hall Academy student as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s Routes to Roots community arts project.
The TRU said on Facebook: “Today it feels like a particularly poignant tribute, in the community where his remarkable journey began.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone in Mirfield mourning his loss.”
Mirfield Free Grammar posted on Facebook: “Sir Patrick held a special place in the history of the Mirfield Free Grammar and he last visited us in 2011. During his visit he was presented with a commemorative plaque (crafted from the very stage boards on which he made his first theatrical appearance at the MFG) to celebrate his remarkable achievements.
“Alongside ‘Stewart Hall’, which proudly bears his name, this remains a lasting reminder of his connection to the school.
“Staff and students who met him during his visit remember him as a warm, friendly, compassionate and charismatic gentleman who left a lasting impression.
“We feel privileged to have been part of his story. Rest in peace Sir Patrick. You will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.”
The Mirfield Town Council, who flew the Union Flag outside the library at half mast in his honour, praised one of the “original Mirfield Ambassadors,” saying: “Sir Patrick was widely regarded as one of the finest film, television, and Shakespearean actors of his generation.”
The MP for Spen Valley, Kim Leadbeater, posted: “Such an outstanding talent and someone who came across as a thoroughly decent and lovely Yorkshireman.
“I met him at a couple of Huddersfield Town matches and corresponded with him several times. He was incredibly kind and will be greatly missed.”