HUNDREDS of people gathered for the unveiling of a memorial to 14-year-old Joe Lister, who died in a school caving accident.

Classmates, relatives, friends and teachers attended a special ceremony at Tadcaster Grammar School, where the teenager was a pupil.

Joe, of Steeton near Tadcaster, was one of 11 pupils from the school learning the principles of caving in Upper Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, last November, when it is understood he became trapped by rising water levels.

In front of about 200 people at yesterday's ceremony, Joe's sister, Laura, 13, sang a song called Joe Blues, accompanied by friends Ben Richards and Lizzie May, in memory of her brother.

Laura said: "I know what people thought of him and how amazing he was to me and everybody else.

"It's a good way of remembering him and now he's always going to be there. He can never be taken away."

The sculpture, designed in consultation with Joe's family, consists of a central rock of Yorkshire Limestone, capped by a pure granite sphere, which reflects the sun's rays.

This is surrounded by ten stone stools, engraved with the letters of Joe's name and the year of his death.

"It's lovely; I really like it," said Laura.

"He was always smiling. He just brought a smile to everybody else's face as well."

The sculpture's central stone is engraved with a poem by Joe's friend Tom Lendhill, which was passed to his parents after the tragedy.

It reads: "So strong you have made us all together, in everyone's hearts you'll live on forever. Not now can anyone change your fate, but you'll be in my heart, in a bit, mate."

The memorial cost around £10,000 raised through donations by Joe's family, and pupils, parents and friends of the school.

Joe's father Martin said the family had worked closely with the sculptor, Neil Collinson.

He said: "Now it's all here and we are happy with it. It's a wonderful tribute to a wonderful young man."

Joe's mother Paula said: "The main stone at the bottom is strong and robust, like Joe was, and the ball on top represents sport.

"It was very important that we had the ten stones round the side and that represents the other ten children who were in the cave with him."

Headteacher Geoff Mitchell said: "We very much want the memorial to be a living thing which all the pupils can come and sit on and use.

"It is in a south facing courtyard to reflect Joe's nature - he was always smiling."

Mr Mitchell told those gathered: "The school felt as if it was missing a beat of its heart on that day in November.

"I now feel that one small part of that has been brought back. We have gone some way towards recognising the sort of lad we have lost; the sort of lad we have cried over; and the sort of lad we will have etched in our memories."

As a further memorial, the school has launched the Joe Lister Award for endeavour, which will be presented at a speech day in November.

Memorial that will shine out

  • More than 200 pupils, parents, staff and friends attended the unveiling ceremony, on the southern side of the school grounds.
  • Headteacher Geoff Mitchell told those gathered: "The school felt as if it was missing a beat of its heart on that day in November. I now feel that one small part of that has been brought back."
  • He said the structure and position of the memorial meant even on a cloudy day, one sunbeam could reflect off the granite to illuminate the surrounding area.
  • Martin Lister, Joe's father, told how the family had worked with the sculptor, Neil Collinson, as the memorial was built. Mr Lister said: "Now it's all here and we are happy with it. It's a wonderful tribute to a wonderful young man."
  • The former vicar of Appleton Roebuck vicar, Dr John Roden, dedicated the memorial to Joe before leading prayers. He said: "May this memorial which focuses the sun reflect Joe's sunny disposition for ever."
  • Many youngsters wiped away tears as Joe's sister Laura sang a moving tribute.

Joe's song

THESE are the lyrics to Joe Blues, written by Ben Richards, 13. Laura Lister, also 13, helped write the second verse.

"Tuesday back at school, We heard the news, People were crying, They got Joe Blues."

"We really miss you, We're really shocked, And now that you've gone, We have been knocked."

"And so Joe, we'll miss you forever and ever, And so Joe, we'll help everyone through this, And so Joe, we'll see you in Heaven real soon."

"Your star that shines every night, Tells me you're with me and always in sight, We'll hold on to you til we meet again, Then we can let go of all this pain."