IT was a down to earth task for Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart.

But the Hollywood star was delighted to be back in Huddersfield to lead celebrations for the town’s students.

Sir Patrick was presiding over the launch of graduation ceremonies this week for many hundreds of University of Huddersfield students.

The Mirfield-born actor is Chancellor of the University and it is a role he relishes.

Sadly, a big public display yesterday to herald the start of the graduation ceremonies became the latest event to fall foul of the summer’s appalling weather.

Heavy rain meant University officials had to cancel a planned parade and procession through the centre of town, which was due to be headed by Sir Patrick and Skelmanthorpe Band.

University spokesman John Ramsdin said: “Sadly, we had to cancel the procession. The heavy rain early in the afternoon would have saturated the heavy, ornate gowns worn by the students and staff and they would have been ruined.”

But the ceremonies did get under way in the splendour of Huddersfield Town Hall.

Those taking part included students completing Bachelor and Masters degrees, plus other qualifications and Doctorates in a huge range of subject areas.

Sir Patrick will be presiding over several award ceremonies and also be attending and speaking at functions throughout the week.

One of these functions, the Diamond Jubilee Awards, will honour 60 graduates who have achieved ultra-high average marks of more than 80% for their coursework.

This year will also see the introduction of prizes to celebrate ‘enterprise’ across the university.

The awards – again presented by Sir Patrick – are the brainchild of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bob Cryan, and are designed to recognise the innovation and creativity of enterprising students, enterprise educators and entrepreneurial staff across the institution.

The university will also welcome a roster of eminent people who will receive Honorary Doctorates of the University during the awards week.

These include author Alan Garner and pharmacist Jonathan Mason, TV scriptwriter Gwyneth Hughes, newly-retired Dean of the University’s School of Human and Health Sciences Sue Bernhauser and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison.

Eminent musician Simon Lindley will be honoured on Wednesday at St Paul’s Hall, with the Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten, receiving an award on Friday.