A MAN'S appeal for help in uncovering the history of a 1938 carnival which led to his dad winning a massive trophy has been hugely successful.

Now, John Jagger knows all about the one-off 1938 event which raised money for the former Huddersfield Infirmary. The hospital was on what is now the Technical College site.

And one man, Jack O'Keefe - who won a cup and RSPCA medal at the carnival as a three-year-old - was one of those to phone Mr Jagger about the event.

Others were former Det Chief Supt Dick Holland and Huddersfield man Jack Broadbent.

Mr Jagger's father, Elland milkman George Ramsden Jagger, won the Sykes Cooper Cup at the 1938 Huddersfield and District CS Carnival.

He triumphed in the Tradesman's Turnout, which involved him driving his horse and cart using the same equipment - such as the harness and whip - that he would use for work.

It now turns out the trophy was presented by the Sykes Cooper knacker's yard on Emerald Street, Hillhouse.

John said: "I never quite worked out what CS stood for, but it means Contributory Scheme.

"This was a scheme similar to today's hospital funds, where contributors could offset the cost of future medical treatments.

"It was started in 1937 and had a very successful first year, which was marked by the Huddersfield and District Contributory Scheme Charity Carnival.

"The carnival was a week- long event, ending with a huge procession through the town and then a gala in Greenhead Park on Saturday, July 2.

"It was attended by 45,000 people.

"The theme was Medical Treatment Through The Ages and the object of the gala was to raise money for Huddersfield Infirmary."

The champion baby of the show was two-year-old Stewart Milner, of Station Road, Holmfirth, who beat 400 rivals.

Mr Jagger added: "The whole event was well reported in the Daily Examiner and the Weekly Examiners, with literally hundreds of activities and competitions taking place.

"The Weekly Examiner mentioned that the Savoy cinema at Marsh would be making a special film of the carnival events, to be shown on July 5.

"It would be nice if that film has survived somewhere."