Today we turn the spotlight on three of the best community events Huddersfield has to offer in our countdown to the Examiner Community Awards. The winner will be revealed at the awards night at the Galpharm Stadium next Monday.
IT’S a show that just keeps on getting bigger and better every year – and it puts children at the forefront.
Some 7,000 people attended the August event last year to see animal contests, watch displays and eat and drink local produce.
Main attractions at the Huddersfield Road show included dog, rabbit and giant vegetable classes as well as gymnastics and parachuting demonstrations.
Children enjoyed the fairground rides, inflatable castle and slide and face-painting, while adults browsed homemade crafts and foods.
The event is sponsored by several organisations including Kirklees Council, Mirfield Town Council, Camira Fabrics in Mirfield and Ramsdens Butchers in Mirfield.
The hard-working committee is chaired by Karen Bullivant.
Richard Hartley, who nominated the show’s committee, said: “While many traditional country shows have had to close their gates in recent years, the team took on the challenge of the economic downturn and embraced the whole family, delivering a wide variety of traditional and modern classes, competitions, stalls and attractions. Mirfield Show has put children at the heart of their drive, providing them with free admission, free entrance and free attractions around the showground.
“It has also strived to provide a platform for local community projects, charities and businesses to raise awareness and funds.
“It has delivered a difficult balance of maintaining its traditional local heritage roots, while modernising and becoming community and family orientated.”
HONLEY Show marked its 90th anniversary this year and continues to attract visitors from all over the country.
The agricultural show – which first ran in 1921 – attracts more than 10,000 people every year to The Showground on Moor Lane in Farnley Tyas.
Over the years it has raised money for countless charities and good causes.
Sharon Smith from Leicester was one of the people to nominate Honley Show.
She said: “There is such a variety of stalls, animals and craft fairs to look at – there is something special for the whole family.
“In fact, over the years it has become a super place for our whole family to meet up and spend time together.
“We travel from Leicestershire and it is because so much attention has been taken to make the show unique – and it’s such a friendly show that we do this year after year.”
