FRENCH people have brought their garlic and their sausages to Huddersfield for years.
Now a group of Huddersfield traders are setting up stalls on foreign shores with all that’s best of Tyke cuisine.
A van full of Yorkshire puddings, mince pies, pickles and chutneys is on its way to France from Huddersfield as part of a fundraising drive for the Forget Me Not Trust charity.
And they’ll be tickling the tastebuds of people in the home town of famous chef Raymond Blanc.
The Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership is running the trip to the Besançon Christmas Market.
They hope to persuade people in Huddersfield’s twin town to sample some typical Yorkshire produce and raise money to support the local children’s hospice appeal.
Mandy Barwick, from the charity, said: “What they are doing is so unique and so different.
“We never expected people would go fundraising to foreign countries for us, but we are delighted they are.
“The support we have received from the community has been overwhelming and it is so important to us we have their support.
“It is also great that big companies like Sainsbury’s are supporting us too.”
The traders will be selling fruit wines from Splash Wines, pickles and chutneys from Shaws of Huddersfield, real ales from Elland and Ossett breweries and jams and jellies from Catherine’s Choice.
Sainsbury’s have given 300 mince pies while Marks and Spencer have given a special Christmas hamper.
Civic leaders in Besançon have given a stand at the market so all profits will go directly to the Forget Me Not Trust, the nominated charity of Kirklees Mayor Clr Jean Calvert.
The charity needs to raise more than £3m to build a hospice in Brackenhall for children with life-limiting and threatening illnesses.
Ms Barwick added: “The £3m will get us the bricks and mortar.
“We still have a long way to go, but we are optimistic that, with the public’s support, we will achieve our goal.’’
