A TROPHY - created in memory of a North Yorkshire soldier and active member of the community - has been brought back into use to honour young people's achievements.

The Arthur Taylor Memorial Trophy had been presented to the Osmotherley branch of the Royal British Legion in 1950, in memory of a former resident of the village.

Arthur Taylor had served in the Lewis Gun section of The King’s Liverpool regiment and in April 1918 helped defeat a German attack at Givenchy in France while serving with the West Lancashire Division.

After being demobilised from the army he settled in the village near Stokesley, where he ran the village shop, worked as a special constable, served as a member of the parish council, a JP and a member of the Royal British Legion.

Originally the trophy was used for the village darts and domino competition, but the events have long since disappeared and the trophy sat languishing in the back of a cupboard gathering dust for many years.

Now it has been revived and is being used to honour young people’s achievements with Stokesley Army Cadets, who are affiliated to Osmotherley Royal British Legion.

The legion has launched an annual points competition for the cadet group, which this year was won by 16-year-old Cadet Colour Sergeant James Lewis, who was presented with the cup by legion chairman Colonel David Black.

The contest awarded cadets points for taking part in a wide range of military activities, drill, turnout, map reading, field craft and first aid, as well as promoting citizenship, training and support to their community.

Warrant officer Lee Clayton said: “Being a member of the Army Cadets is not, as some people think ‘playing at soldiers’. It is an organisation which encourages young people to gain self-confidence and play a greater part in their local community.”