ONE of Huddersfield's best known industrial societies is winding up after more than a century.
Huddersfield Engineering Society dates back to 1899. It was founded as the Huddersfield Technical College Engineering Society.
Over the decades, it has organised hundreds of lectures and company visits to feed members' enthusiasm for all things technical.
But acting chairman Simon Broadbent, managing director of Thomas Broadbent and Sons Ltd, said the society was being wound up due to lack of new members.
He said the committee had taken the decision with regret, adding: "The main problem is that these sort of activities don't interest young people today.
"The society has been dormant for the past few years and the membership gets older and fewer in number."
The Huddersfield society was one of several in the region and in 1936 the West Riding Federation of Engineering Societies was set up - linking organisations in Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield and Keighley.
Each year there would be a ladies' evening with lectures on subjects such as Domestic Appliances by Philips Electrical of Lightcliffe and Carpet Manufacture by Crossleys.
Topics covered in lectures over the years have included the Channel Tunnel, the Humber Bridge, the Harrier jump jet and Concorde.
There were guided visits to watch the M62 being built at Scammonden, trips to oil rigs and sewage works and regular visits to leading local companies, including David Brown Gears and Tractors, Brook Motors, Hopkinsons and Thomas Broadbent.
Society treasurer Trevor Elam recalls: "Presentations associated with transport were always well-attended - railways, aircraft, automobiles, rally cars, trolley and motor buses and the history of Huddersfield transport services.
"Also the history of Karrier Motors in Huddersfield - which at one time rivalled the other commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country."
Mr Elam said the Huddersfield society was the last surviving society in West Yorkshire following the decline in the region's engineering industry.
Said Mr Elam: "Sadly, there is little prospect of reviving the society so the decision has been taken to wind it up."
