January marks the end of phase one of ’Huddersfield Rugby League, A Lasting Legacy’, with a Celebration Event being held at the University of Huddersfield’s Heritage Quay on Thursday evening.

So, what is being celebrated? What is the legacy of the project? What has been achieved over the past three years?

Hundreds of items of memorabilia have been loaned to the project. There have been international and county caps, old shirts, medals, hundreds of programmes and photographs, and many scrap books.

This resulted in the magnificent exhibition at the Tolson Museum in 2013/2014. It was the most popular event at the museum for many years.

Volunteers were trained in the use of voice recorders and the art of interviewing others. Dozens of fans and ex-players were interviewed and their comments recorded for posterity.

University students spent many hours in the library pouring over old editions of the Examiner, researching life in Huddersfield during World War One.

The outcomes of all this effort has been:

Two packs of Collectors Cards consisting of players who have donned the famous Claret & Gold: One set is of native Huddersfield men, the other is of outstanding players from all over the world.

Two books: The one dealing with how Huddersfield and its people dealt with World War One has already been published. The other, consisting of previously unpublished material, is a fresh approach about the history of the club.

Films of various events associated with the project.

The placing of the St John’s Stone in the grounds of the John Smith’s Stadium.

Two heritage trails: One is around Holmfirth, linking various landmarks associated with one of the game’s greatest ever players, Harold Wagstaff. The other leads you around the centre of Huddersfield, highlighting places associated with WW1 events.

Education Packs for schools, including many theme-based assemblies.

Helping the RFL organise the launch of the World Cup back in 2013, and that magnificent rendition of the infamous 1895 meeting at the George Hotel by Scholes Junior and Infant School.

The website: Over 2000 pages of memorabilia collections, programmes, fixture cards, photographs of past players and teams, official club documents, records of every match played since 1895 up to the Super League era, and photographs of all the events of the project.

It is impossible to list everyone involved with the project, but here are one or two of the major players together with some of their roles:

Laura Hanson had the idea several years ago and put in many hours ploughing through the minefield that is the Lottery bid process.

Brian Heywood, the project manager, who ably led the team of volunteers and did a lot of the writing.

David Gronow and David Thorpe, who spent many, many hours researching material for the cards and books.

Ken George, who put together the various films of the project.

Angela Sykes, Graham Sykes and Howard Taylor put in many interviewing hours.

Tony Johnson, linking the present to players of the past.

Keith Burhouse, whose enthusiasm for the club will never be forgotten.

Dave Calverley, the website supremo.

AN Other and SO Else, whose names have been lost in the mist of time, and who put so much effort that without you, nothing would have been done.

Now for Phase Two…

Next up is our Pre-Season Meal at Northern Taps on Friday, closely followed by Marcus St Hilaire at Turnbridge WMC on Tuesday, February 3.

Everyone is welcome at all our events. Full details can be found at www.GiantsSupporters.co.uk or contact Dave Calverley on 07887 878 425.

‘Huddersfield In World War 1’ can be purchased at The Zone, online at www.HuddersfieldRLHeritage.co.uk , or via David Thorpe [01484 533378].