Arts organisations across Huddersfield staged a special evening on Wednesday to pay tribute to the Examiner’s longest-serving journalist who has just retired.
Val Javin has worked on the newspaper for 44 years and in more recent times has been Head of Features.
A massive supporter of the arts – Val was one of the prime movers behind building the LBT – she has strongly championed the arts in the Examiner for many years. This has ranged from amateur dramatics to music groups, classical orchestras to choirs and art to poetry.
But dozens of people wanted to say a fond goodbye and the event held at the LBT was organised by Huddersfield Choral Society past president Jenny Lockwood and Mikron Theatre trustee James Sykes.
He said: “Val has been a terrific supporter of the arts for so long and without her the arts here would be considerably poorer. All the work Val has put in has been absolutely fantastic and has helped so many organisations. Having the Examiner on board has been vital in putting bums on seats and raising funds.”
Val said: “I’m not used to being in the spotlight like this. I’m usually the person out there sitting in the dark and scribbling notes. It has been here in this theatre and in the concert spaces around Huddersfield where I have had my most memorable moments. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us.”
Val was presented with flowers and a cheque so she could buy something to remember all the organisations who think so highly of her.
On the night 25 groups were represented including the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival, Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society, Huddersfield Jazz, Marsh Ladies Choir, Lindley Band, Honley Male Voice Choir, Huddersfield Light Opera, Gledholt Male Voice Choir, Huddersfield Choral Society, Huddersfield Thespians and Slaithwaite and Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestras.
Examiner feature writer Hilarie Stelfox now writes all the arts copy. Her email is hilarie.stelfox@examiner.co.uk and ideally arts news should be sent to her two weeks before the event.
