THE Myers Group is a traditional group of companies established in 1929 and now in its fourth generation.
It is solely owned and run by the Myers family from their head office in Huddersfield. Originally trading within the construction industry with supply of readymixed concrete and building materials, the group more recently went into the retail and DIY market with the supply of quality kitchens and bathrooms.
The Myers Group is committed to the local community and economy, not only by providing stable employment and locally sourced products, but by actively supporting local charities and community events wherever possible.
Familiar black and yellow Readymix concrete mixer vehicles have been supplying concrete throughout the town for more than 50 years.
Johnsons Wellfield is a leading supplier of UK sandstone operating its own sophisticated production facility at Crosland Hill, equipped with the latest robot technology. Natural Yorkstone Paving from Johnsons Wellfield lines most of the town centre pavements, including recently refurbished St George’s Square.
The flagship Naylor Myers branch in Brighouse features a kitchen and bathroom showroom along with a spectacular outdoor landscape display area.
Other companies within the Group are Mini Mix, Conveyormix, Mobile Concrete Pumps, Boards Timber and HSH Skip Hire.
SUE Starr is a leading light when it comes to organising community events.
She is one of the founding members of the highly successful Golcar Lily Day, now in its seventh year, which has rejuvenated community interest and activities through the village.
Sue, 64, of Golcar, was the instigator of school visits to the Colne Valley Museum more than 30 years ago and now leads the Life Long Learning team.
She is responsible for school and adult visits and talks, staff and volunteer training and courses for the public.
The innovative school visits are the highlight of the term for many youngsters. Pupils dress up and live the life of a Victorian child for a day. They cook, learn crafts, do household chores and make woollen cloth using traditional methods.
Sue, a former teacher, also takes memory boxes to elderly people in care homes and the community, gives slide shows and talks to groups and generally puts Colne Valley Museum on the map.
She was the first treasurer for the By and Buy charity shop – set up 14 years ago on Sycamore Avenue in Golcar – and is still a keen voluntary worker there today.
She was also instrumental in getting the premises next door up and running as the Drop By community resource centre, which is much valued by local residents.
One half of Golcar’s answer to Gilbert and Sullivan, for the past 10 years Sue has written and produced light-hearted plays at St John’s Church, Golcar, with friend Margaret Laycock providing the music.
The museum’s Susan Whitwam said: “The indefatigable Sue is there in the centre of everything, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and safely and that our community has fun.”
Sue, who admits she does “enjoy a challenge,” said: “It is so nice for people to get together to celebrate things and I’m delighted that Golcar Lily Day has been such a success. I’ve got to know so many people it is brilliant”.
IF you want to organise some community action, you’d be well advised to enlist the help of Jean Margetts.
Over the years Jean has developed a reputation as a champion for the community, galvanising people into action and submitting countless applications for grants. Her tireless efforts have improved the lives of many.
Jean, of School Lane in Marsden, is a firm believer in social inclusion and has dedicated much of her spare time to helping and organising social projects.
She was the community champion for children and young people with Marsden and Slaithwaite Renaissance, part of Yorkshire Forward’s market town regeneration scheme.
She has been instrumental in raising funds to run free activities for youngsters in the Colne Valley, including forest schools, baking, pottery, photography and decision-making events.
Jean, a part-time English tutor at Royds Hall High School, is also a voluntary member of the influential Marsden and Slaithwaite Transition Towns. She has helped to raise vital funds for the group as well as organising staff and a host of activities.
These have included planting a community orchard, clothes swap days, a recycled clothes fashion show, community music events and stands at eco fairs and Slaithwaite Spa activity days.
One of the recent projects of which she is most proud is the community garden in Thornton Lodge.
Despite an illness over the last two years, Jean continues to be a catalyst and driving force for community cohesion.
Fellow community worker Lisa Mew said: “Jean is an indefatigable community champion, an incredible woman. She has a special affinity with young people and is equally passionate about the environment.
“She is loved and admired by both children and adults. She is highly driven to make a difference to peoples’ lives.”
Jean said: “I am very motivated by social inclusion. I had the advantage of a good background and education, but not everybody has. I try to get people involved who might not normally be involved in things.
“The last two years have been difficult and I am thrilled to be nominated.’’
A GRANDMOTHER has overcome personal tragedy to devote much of her life to promoting family welfare.
Beryl Robinson, 81, has been a dedicated member and fundraiser for the Christian charity the Mothers’ Union for 27 years. During that time, she has helped to support not only British families, but also those scattered in far-flung corners of the globe.
Beryl, who lives near Greenhead Park, has organised countless fundraising activities to assist the charity, whose patron is the Queen.
She is a member of the Holy Trinity branch and has held a number of positions, including secretary of the Huddersfield Deanery Mothers’ Union and the Halifax Archdeaconry branch. She is currently secretary of the Wakefield Diocese MU marketing unit.
For years Beryl was involved in organising a crèche at Wakefield prison for the children of inmates so their families could visit. She also helps organise the food stall and free cookery book for Huddersfield University students every freshers’ week. This year she’s raising money for the Mothers’ Union to improve knowledge and life for families in Uganda.
Having overcome difficult times in her own life, the family is of great importance to this grandmother-of-four.
Beryl’s mother died when she was just eight years old. After the birth of her first daughter, Caro, and death of her father and stepmother, Beryl suffered from post natal depression.
Her second child, Angela, suffered from chronic asthma and died suddenly from an asthma attack aged just 23.
Despite these setbacks, Beryl is a staunch supporter and tireless campaigner on behalf of others.
She became the first-ever female president of Huddersfield Society of Model Engineers in 1997 and has recently secured a £500 donation towards the renovation of Highfields boating pond for the society.
Daughter Caro Ward said: “She has given so much of herself to the improvement of family life.
“She is a great example of how to live life to the full and to give to others at the same time”.
