New ‘dream’ Salvation Army HQ nears completion

Dec 20 2008 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT’S been seven years in the planning – but now completion is in sight for the new Salvation Army hall.

Work is well under way at the new headquarters for the church and community centre which its leader has described as a “dream come true”.

Builders are still working on the New Hey Road site at Oakes. Major Ernie Huby and wife June who run the Huddersfield Salvation Army can’t wait for it to open.

“The Salvation Army could not stay still,” said Major Huby. “It was either move or close and that would have been the end of the Salvation Army here in Huddersfield.

“It has been a juggling act over the last seven years, trying to keep the balls in the air all the time, but here we are.

“Our doors will be open for anybody and everybody – not just for the people of Oakes and Marsh, but wider afield.”

Seven years ago when Major Huby and his wife June took over at the Huddersfield Salvation Army they wanted to bring a new life to the church.

But they were hampered by an unsuitable building near to the Springwood car park.

By 2001 they started work on a new home for the Army and got the backing of the church’s national planners.