It's a great way to start the week. Good music, good company and conversation plus if you want it, lunch too.

Little wonder that once the autumn days start creeping in, many music fans in the town simply get out their diaries and pencil in Monday lunchtimes at Huddersfield Town Hall.

Drop Kirklees Borough organist Dr Gordon Stewart into the mix and you have a pretty unbeatable recipe for an entertaining season.

For proof, look no further than the large audiences that these regular concerts attract.

The lunchtime concert series has a faithful following, down in large measure to the guiding hand of Gordon Stewart and of course, the musicians he brings in to play in the season.

This year, starting in early October, there are 16 concerts taking the season through to late April.

There’s everything from the hugely respected talents of Thomas Trotter, an organist in demand all over the world, to the virtuoso skills of pianist George King whose programme will include improvising on the Town Hall’s Steinbeck piano. Exciting stuff.

“Thomas is playing a fantastic programme. He’s a wonderful musician,” says Gordon.

And there’s high praise too for George King.

“He’s the most remarkable musician and the nicest man.

“I’m going to play pieces on the organ and when I’ve finished, he will take over on the piano and do jazz improvisations on what I’ve done.

“It’s going to be a very interesting programme. George has played Carnegie Hall and he’s played Ronnie Scott’s.”

Gordon’s plans for the season include the talents of many of the town’s young musicians with a return appearance from the University of Huddersfield Brass Band conducted by Phillip McCann plus Huddersfield Young Singers and Kirklees Music School Symphonic Brass.

One of the concerts will be dedicated to the memory of Carlo Curley, the flamboyant American concert organist who played three times in Huddersfield and was always a welcome guest.

“Everyone in the world of organ music was very shocked to hear of Carlo’s sudden death,” said Gordon.

“I asked to include a memorial concert in the season and will play the music that he was very well known for.”

Gordon is clearly raring to go and seems unfazed by the idea that he will be playing in at least a dozen of the concerts.

In fact before each concert, you’ll find him wandering around the Old Court Room where many concertgoers opt to have lunch before the music starts. And he’ll be chatting to them like old friends. Which many of them are.

The concerts are high quality and at £5 (£3.50 concessions) offer great value for money. Box office is on 01484 223200.