Today we turn the spotlight on three of the best community events Huddersfield has to offer in our countdown to the Examiner Community Awards. The winner will be revealed at the awards night at the Galpharm Stadium next Monday.

IT’S a show that just keeps on getting bigger and better every year – and it puts children at the forefront.

Some 7,000 people attended the August event last year to see animal contests, watch displays and eat and drink local produce.

Main attractions at the Huddersfield Road show included dog, rabbit and giant vegetable classes as well as gymnastics and parachuting demonstrations.

Children enjoyed the fairground rides, inflatable castle and slide and face-painting, while adults browsed homemade crafts and foods.

The event is sponsored by several organisations including Kirklees Council, Mirfield Town Council, Camira Fabrics in Mirfield and Ramsdens Butchers in Mirfield.

The hard-working committee is chaired by Karen Bullivant.

Richard Hartley, who nominated the show’s committee, said: “While many traditional country shows have had to close their gates in recent years, the team took on the challenge of the economic downturn and embraced the whole family, delivering a wide variety of traditional and modern classes, competitions, stalls and attractions. Mirfield Show has put children at the heart of their drive, providing them with free admission, free entrance and free attractions around the showground.

“It has also strived to provide a platform for local community projects, charities and businesses to raise awareness and funds.

“It has delivered a difficult balance of maintaining its traditional local heritage roots, while modernising and becoming community and family orientated.”

HONLEY Show marked its 90th anniversary this year and continues to attract visitors from all over the country.

The agricultural show – which first ran in 1921 – attracts more than 10,000 people every year to The Showground on Moor Lane in Farnley Tyas.

Over the years it has raised money for countless charities and good causes.

Sharon Smith from Leicester was one of the people to nominate Honley Show.

She said: “There is such a variety of stalls, animals and craft fairs to look at – there is something special for the whole family.

“In fact, over the years it has become a super place for our whole family to meet up and spend time together.

“We travel from Leicestershire and it is because so much attention has been taken to make the show unique – and it’s such a friendly show that we do this year after year.”

Maureen Hoyle, who runs the rabbit section at the show, said the committee, section secretaries and show managers deserve recognition.

“These people work behind the scenes all year to make a great day out for local people,’’ she said.

“They definitely do it for the community and not for themselves and all the work they do is voluntary.

“Often they are so busy on show day they don’t get to see the show.

“Holidays are taken from work the week before the show to get it ready and it is this hard work, blood sweat and tears that deserves recognition.”

IT’S a gala that brings the whole community together on a hillside above the Colne Valley.

Over the years Golcar Gala has raised thousands of pounds which has been ploughed back into worthy causes.

Chris Watson, who nominated the community event, told the Examiner: “I think it’s something that brings the Golcar community together.

“It’s not a national thing that people travel to from far away, but it’s about bringing the community together because of the different cultures and people we have.

“If it doesn’t rain it’s a very enjoyable event and it’s unbelievable how the committee do everything. It’s all for everybody else not themselves.”

Chris said the event – now in its 23rd year – allows charities to set up stalls for free and promotes local businesses.

He said: “The generosity of the Golcar Gala helped my family to achieve its long-term goal of providing 10 guide dogs for the blind through their ‘Sponsor a Puppy Appeal’.

“The 2010 gala must have raised thousands of pounds for the many charities who were given the opportunity to have a stall.’’

These have included Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Parkwood Methodist, Forget Me Not Trust, Laura Crane Trust, Leeds Children’s Hospital, St John Ambulance, Golcar Scouts, Kirkwood Hospice, Bolton Ferret Welfare and Parkwood Scouts.

The food at the event is all locally sourced and the focus is on bringing the community together and forging relationships.

Entertainment at the gala ranges from parachute displays to motorbike stunts and big band performances.

This year will see a visit from the Black Mountain Falconry Display Team.

Every year part of the funds raised go to the 39th Parkwood Scout Group and the committee often supports the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust and various other local charities.

This year’s gala is on Saturday, June 25, on the Golcar Manor Road School playing fields from noon.

For more information visit www.golcargala.co.uk