Watch the rally live here:
Thank you and well done
OK, after an amazing day in Huddersfield we’re going to close off our blog. Thanks for keeping up with the rally with us and well done to everyone who turned out today.
Here’s some pictures for you.....
Thanks for all your efforts
This is a great poster...a bit of effort has gone into that one
Harold's been involved
Would former PM Harold Wilson have stood for his hometown hospital being demolished? I think not.
Raise cash and drink amazing beer
Along with tonight’s fundraising gig at the Bluerooms there’s another do next Sunday (March 6) at Huddersfield’s own Magic Rock brewery.
It’s from 2pm to 10pm. Here’s the line-up
DJs (playing sit down music):
Richard Norgate (Magic Rock)
Lennie (Colne Valley Funk and Soul)
Les (Magic Rock)
Bankhead
FOOD - Fat Hippo Burgers
Raffle and bucket donations on the day.
Profits from one of our Magic Rock beers
will be donated to the cause.
Free Entry
A round up
Our reporters on the ground have just sent in their story from today’s Hands Off HRI protest.
Police have said more than 5,000 people were there, so that’s the figure we’re going with.
The police horses enjoyed themselves
The mounted officers were there and thankfully there was no trouble that we know of.
A phenomenal response
That’s the view of Dewsbury MP, Paula Sherriff, who snapped this pic of the crowd while she was on stage earlier
KIrklees' top councillor is behind the campaign
Councillor David Sheard spoke out about the dismantling of the NHS and said the campaign is not about Huddersfield v Halifax but about saving hospitals in all our towns
Your bus may be late
Sorry to bus passengers...but it was worth it. We think at least 4,000 people joined the march. Some are saying higher, some lower. Who knows? But it was a hell-of-a-lot and a great start to the campaign.
The latest HRI A&E news
If you’ve not got a copy of today’s paper here’s our latest stories on the Infirmary saga to keep you up-to-date on all the developments
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman has said he will meet with the health secretary over the A&E plan
A song before we finish
“Hands off A&E” is being chanted by the crowd as the protest draws to a close. But don’t go anywhere yet, we’ve got plenty more stuff to show you.
We'll bring more to the next protest
This is only the beginning! We’ll bring more to the next protest and keep going and going.
Go to the roadshows
Protest leaders are telling people to go to the consultation meetings and make sure the officials know your views.
The official consultation starts on March 15 and runs until June.
There's a lack of clinical evidence...
...to close HRI’s A&E. That’s the view of health campaigner Paul Cooney who is on stage now talking to the thousands who have turned out.
This is a campaign to save both hospitals, he says.
Meanwhile this snap shows you the true scale of the march.
This is amazing!
That’s the view of speaker Dr Jackie Grunsall who is on stage now.
“The whole of St George’s Square is full,” she says.
Jackie is a GP who has been fighting NHS privatisation for many years and served as a Kirklees councillor about ten years ago.
Party to save A&E
If you want to keep the protest buzz going there’s some fundraising events this evening to help the Save A&E funds.
An evening of eclectic music is at The Blue Rooms in Byram Arcade.
It will feature Leo Brazil, Dean Antoni, Dan Gallo, Rob Sharp, Tray Tronic and Jack Manning will join the mix throughout the evening.
Plenty of delicious cakes, a raffle and the opportunity to discuss the proposals surrounding Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
N.B. This venue has Disabled access.
VENUEBlue Rooms, Byram Arcade | 18:00 | Saturday, 27th FebruaryENTRANCEDonationEVENT LINKhttp://www.facebook.com/brmsbbar/
Marchers are gathering back at the square now
A serious message has been sent to the GPs and health officials in power. They do not have the public’s support.
I would walk 1,000 miles
The Proclaimers classic tune is belting out as people arrive back at the square chanting “CCG here us say, HRI is here to stay!”
Travelling football fans take note
Any Ipswich fans arriving at St George’s Square, don’t worry all these people aren’t there to get you!
5,000 are there!
That is an impressive turn out. It just goes to show the strength of feeling on this issue. Let’s keep it going people!
That is a big crowd!
Check out the live feed above to see how many people have come! Well done all for attending.
They will be marching for nearly an hour so it’s not too late to go down if you’re in two minds.
The march has begun
“CCG here us to say, HRI is here to stay!” That’s the chant from the crowd as the march heads away from St George’s Square
