A member of a long-established Huddersfield textile family has received one of the industry’s highest awards.
Yarn spinner Adam Lightowlers, of Meltham-based Lightowlers Yarns saw off stiff competition to win the prestigious Lord
Barnby Award.
Adam was presented with the award – a silver medal and a cheque for £500 – by John Brewer, master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen at its annual civic dinner.
The award is made annually to the most promising young person employed in the West Yorkshire textile industry.
Adam collected his award at the Stationers’ Hall, London, dressed in his locally-manufactured and tailored white tie and tails.
“The award is a great career turning point and something I will remember forever,” he said. “I am the fourth generation of
Lightowlers to work in the family firm and I’m proud to be part of a high value, high quality industry here in Huddersfield.”
Lightowlers is a woollen yarn spinning business producing high quality yarns for the clothing, accessory and furnishings industries.
The firm was established in 1950 by Adam’s great-grandfather and great uncle. Adam’s father and current director, Mark Lightowlers, said: “Textile manufacturing is hugely important in this part of the county and I am pleased to see the industry recognises the effort and development of young people who excel in their chosen field.”
The Lord Barnby prize is awarded on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen by the Textile Centre of Excellence. Adam was selected after completing two apprenticeship programmes and his progress in the workplace, where he now works as a carding and spinning supervisor.
Adam was also among scores of textile trainees attending the Textile Centre of Excellence annual awards presentation where he was congratulated by Andrew Dawson on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen.
Other awards were presented by Paul Johnson, chairman of the textile centre and by Stephen Sheard, president of the Huddersfield Textile Society. Guests were welcomed by textile centre managing director Bill Macbeth.