Syngenta manufactures products which help farmers all over the world grow higher yields from their crops, providing greater availability of quality food and lower costs for consumers.
In Huddersfield we are local people making products for a global market contributing to the Kirklees economy by way of jobs, apprenticeships and trade. Now 80% of our Huddersfield workforce live in Kirklees and through our apprenticeship scheme we shall continue to recruit locally for years to come.
With increasing demand for food and fuel and growing pressure on natural resources such as farmland and water, we have an important role to play in helping to feed a growing population. We are playing our part in creating a sustainable future and along with investment in plant and technology our skilled people put Syngenta at the forefront of manufacturing in its sector.
We are backing the Examiner Community Awards as principal sponsor because we support valued community events and we are very honoured to help celebrate the achievements and contributions of those people who give their time to make a difference to the lives of others.
While most people are happily celebrating with their families in warm festive houses, Christmas is a time to be dreaded for some.
But for a quarter of a century Huddersfield Methodist Mission has stepped in to give dozens of homeless people along with those without family support or funds something to look forward to.
Personal invites for a slap-up Christmas Day dinner and party are sent out to about 30 people who frequent the Mission and would otherwise be on their own.
The event is organised by the Mission volunteers and normally help at the Lord Street centre, but this was not possible last year.
So Anthony Hegney, catering general manager at John Smith’s Stadium, came to the rescue. He rallied local businesses to supply food and gifts and hordes of volunteers to help serve a three-course meal to 100 people at the stadium – massively increasing the number of people who could attend.
Among the biggest donors, who provided everything from meats to toiletries, were Morrisons, Huddersfield police, Code Blue publicity and Greedy Little Pig, which supplied the roast pork. Local band The Moot provided the music which added to the festive spirit.
The Mission’s Debs Murphy said: “The kindness and generosity of the local community and organisations was overwhelming in response to articles in the Examiner and word of mouth.
“Over 80 individual volunteers offered their time to ensure that the event could happen. In fact, offers from volunteers had to be declined in the end due to the scale of the response!
“ A huge number of donations were received from many sources, including individuals, churches and local businesses. This overwhelming generosity meant that all the guests were treated to a festive three-course meal with an abundant supply of non-alcoholic drinks and chocolates.
“Christmas gifts were distributed to the adults and children alike and anybody in need of a warm coat, sleeping bag or toiletries were offered to choose from the many donated items. The event was very successful and resulted in many people having a fun and festive Christmas Day and being made to feel special, rather than being at home alone.”
Sgt Zaheer Abbas, one of the Huddersfield Police volunteers, said: “The dedication and commitment shown by everyone to help this come to fruition is testament to the kind-natured and caring people of Kirklees.”
While most of us are tucked up in bed, one night near midsummer around 1,000 people are wide awake and tramping the streets of Huddersfield in the darkness.
They are all charity supporters who are putting their best foot forward in what has become Kirkwood Hospice’s biggest annual fundraising event – The Midnight Memory Walk.
Since the Dalton Hospice opened on March 17, 1987, it has touched the lives of so many people in Kirklees. Almost everyone in Huddersfield has a relative or knows someone whose last weeks or days have been spent surrounded by love and care which is second to none, provided by staff and volunteers at the hospice.
This is why The Midnight Memory Walk always attracts such a large entry. Walkers of all ages, shapes and sizes forego a night’s sleep and descend on the John Smith’s Stadium to say thank you. Poignantly, many of them proudly display the name of their loved one on their T shirts.
James and Sharon from Huddersfield first decided to take part in the walk after James’ mother ,Christine, died from cancer three years ago. For the married couple of 17 years, the event has become a poignant and uplifting experience.
“Although she died a few years ago, it’s still very raw,” said Sharon: “She wanted to stay at home so we had a lot of support from Kirkwood. They helped us understand what we should be doing. Through the hospice’s support we managed to give her that wish.”
She added: “At the Midnight Memory Walk everyone else has been through something similar, some form of loss. This event provides a real boost. It helps us to know that we are not alone.”
This unique community event has become a firm fixture in the Huddersfield calendar and this year’s walk is set to be a great occasion, with a new 10-mile route and a shorter six-mile option.
At the stroke of midnight, The Midnight Memory Walk will once again bring together people from all backgrounds and walks of life to have fun, give encouragement, share memories and remember those who are no longer with us but who will remain in our hearts forever.
Highlight of the year for many Colne Valley villagers is an event which dates back over a century.
First organised in 1896 by the young people of Linthwaite Methodist Church, Linthwaite Old Folks’ Treat is an annual gathering which local elderly residents look forward to with great anticipation.
Planning for the event, held on the first Saturday in March, begins the previous November. For more than 100 years, a traditional ham or beef salad was served, but now the participants enjoy a hot carvery with all the trimmings. The treat also includes a singalong as well as entertainment for the 100-plus people who attend.
Fundraising for the event is a true community affair. For four evenings leading up to Christmas – including Christmas Eve – parties of carol singers leave Linthwaite Methodist Church to sing around the village. Church members are joined by other villagers and young children.
On Christmas morning, volunteers from as far afield as Leeds including leaders and Explorers from 17th Linthwaite Scouts meet to enjoy a bacon sandwich before going around the village for the house-to-house collection to fund the next treat.
More than 100 people are involved in laying on this historic annual event. Invitation letters are delivered by hand and volunteers order food, buses and take on a myriad of other jobs.
On the big day, the cooks arrive early to put the beef and turkey into the oven and prepare vegetables. The flower arranger decorates the hall and a host of volunteers set up tables and put the boiler on for gallons of tea and coffee while stewards escort the bus through the village collecting guests and send taxis for those unable to get on a bus.
Chairman of the organising committee, Margaret Moriarty, said: “We have new people moving into the village who attend and some 92 and 93-year-olds who have been coming since they were 60 – and they all thoroughly enjoy themselves.”
“They may meet people here they have known for a long time but who they only see once a year. It is about getting together as a community. The Old Folks’ Treat is part of the village calendar and people really do look forward to it.”
