BEFORE we had the sugar shortage of the 1970s, Huddersfield was embroiled in a sugar scandal.
A reader asked if anyone remembered the details and, of course, some of you did.
It happened in the days of rationing during the Second World War when a large amount of sugar was stolen from a local Co-op.
Arthur F Addy says: “I was an apprentice electrician and sometime in 1944 we worked at a mill on Britannia Road in Milnsbridge.
“In the engine house was a giant key board with all the keys for the mill, including the disused part where the sugar was concealed.
“A key holder would meet a taxi driver at dead of night to load up and deliver to the various black market customers.
“One night the key holder was caught red-handed. He was found guilty and sent down but never gave his customers away so they escaped prosecution.”
Kevin Gallacher says he believes the man behind it was called Tony.
He remembers him as a customer in his father’s milk bar in Huddersfield and says he used to carry two sugar lumps in his waistcoat pocket.
Another reader said his grandmother had told him the name of the spiv or dealer was Tony.
Kevin says it was rumoured that the police themselves used some of the sugar in the Peel Street station and, when Tony was arrested, much of it was flushed away by embarrassed customers.
“I understand that quite a few water closets were sweetened around town that week, including those of the rich and famous,” added Kevin.
