Civic Society to debate Blue Plaque ideas for Huddersfield

Aug 19 2009 By Neil Atkinson

A CAMPAIGN to remember the great and good of Huddersfield is gathering pace.

Huddersfield Civic Society has announced plans to introduce blue plaques commemorating the town’s famous and not so famous people.

They also want to set up a Heritage Trail, with a tour around some of the buildings that have shaped Huddersfield into the town it now is.

Officials are working with Kirklees Council to discuss criteria for the scheme and they hope to release details shortly.

But in the meantime, they have appealed for people to come forward with suggestions of buildings, places and people that should be commemorated.

Obvious ones include Huddersfield’s imposing railway station, The George Hotel, Harold Wilson and Lord Hanson.

Mr John Hood said one candidate for the Heritage Trail would be Joseph Kaye.

“Born on July 9, 1779, he is renowned as the builder of Huddersfield.

“Some of the buildings that come under his portfolio are the railway station, St Peter’s Parish Church in the town centre, where his tomb stands, and the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

“He also built large parts of Thornton Lodge and a number of other churches, public houses and mills.

“I came across his fascinating history by research our family tree as the Kayes come from my mother in law’s side and he was regarded as a great builder/mason”.