Mrs Sheila Sinclair

Presented 23 March 2012

Contribution to the community, in particular Friend to Friend. 

Sheila started Friend to Friend in 1997 and with the help of a few other volunteers has developed the organisation into a thriving club catering for on average forty members with a monthly meal.  Off-shoots are tai-chi and a men's meeting and the Old Meltham History Group.  Friend to Friend was formed to combat loneliness and isolation amongst people generally living on their own by providing a monthly get together with a good meal, (arranging transport where necessary). 

Friend to Friends Website

Mr George Haigh

Presented 23 March 2012

Contribution to the community

George came to Meltham in 1954 with his family to live at Bentley Farm, Meltham Mills.   He was a Milkman on his village round for 10 years around the Meltham Township. 

In 1966-67 he started a Butchers Shop in Huddersfield Road, Meltham, and it is still going today in February 2012.

Over 40 years working in the village supporting the whole Community, giving help in many areas of activities.  George was a member of numerous village organisations, amongst them he was the founding President of Meltham Chamber Trade which started over 25 years ago, member of Meltham Gala Committee, member of Meltham Pensioners & Welfare Society.  He joined Freemasons in 1972 and was Master of the Lodge of Peace.                                        

Mr Neil Moorhouse

Presented 23 March 2012

Contribution to the community in particular his work for the Meltham Football Club.

Neil has worked diligently and steadfastly in supporting Meltham all his adult life.  He is totally committed to our community particularly in his passion for Meltham AFC.  As a junior footballer Neil gave 100% commitment to his club and at the latter end of his footballing career he continued as club secretary. In 1999 the club was in the doldrums and had been relegated to the Huddersfield and District 3rd Division.  The club was struggling to turn out two teams.  With changes to the coaching staff and with Neil's organisational skills the club went on a ten year run winning trophies at all levels -  the highlight was winning the West Riding Cup.  Neil's influence on this success cannot be underestimated - not only is he the secretary but he does any job that needs doing, i.e. groundsman, kitman, organising the fence around the pitch, raising funds and obtaining grants and much more.  Lots of children play in our junior section and Neil has a positive influence as a good role model in our community.

Meltham AFC Website

Mr John Tiffany

Presented 22 November 2010

Contribution to the arts.

John is former Honley High School pupil and his parents and family still live in Meltham.

John Tiffany (MA 1994) was selected as one of this year's winners for his outstanding achievements in Scottish and international theatre, demonstrated by his repertoire of remarkable productions.  He is currently Associate Director (New Work) of the National Theatre of Scotland. 
John's recent productions are The Bacchae (National Theatre of Scotland 2007) and Black Watch  (National Theatre of Scotland 2006).  Both have achieved international acclaim.
 The Bacchae which was part of the 2007 Edinburgh International Film Festival, featured Alan Cumming in his first stage role in Scotland for seventeen years.  John commissioned a new version of the play by leading playwrite David Greig which is based on a new literal translation by University of Glasgow lecturer Dr Ian Ruffell.  The Bacchae toured Scotland before transferring to New York in the summer 2008.
 Black Watch, John's previous work, remains the 'must see' show of recent British theatre.  It was premiered as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2006 and was an instant success.  Its shows have sold-out across Scotland and in Los Angeles, New York and Sydney.

John is currently at Harvard in the USA on a research project.

Mr Barry Gregory

Presented 22 November 2010

Barry has been in the mountain rescue services for 45 years. He has been team leader, and chairman of Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team and chairman and controller of the Peak District Mountain Rescue organisation.  He has also helped out Holme Valley Team when required.  Over the years he has helped rescue several people from the Meltham area.  He was awarded the Examiner Commendation Award for emergency services in 2000 and the MBE in 2009.

Mr Stewart Fawcett

Presented 16 June 2010

Life time service to Meltham and Meltham Mills Band.  Due to retire from the band this year.

At the tender age of eight, Stuart commenced his playing career as a cornet player with Meltham and Meltham Mills Band. After moving onto Euphonium, he was invited to join Crossley Carpet Works Band in the Championship Section. 

In 1963 he enlisted into the Band of H.M. Coldstream Guards, where he served for 12 years, moving onto Trombone while being promoted to Sergeant. In 1975, Stuart emigrated to Australia after being appointed Head of Brass and Director of Bands at a prestigious Grammar School in Brisbane, a position he held for 14 years. He was also a Warrant Officer Bandmaster in the Australian Army, and in 1985 H.M. the Queen awarded him the Order of Australia Medal for his services to music in Queensland.

He returned to the U.K. in 1989 and, after a year conducting Jayess Brass, was appointed M.D. of Skelmanthorpe Band in 1991, a position he held for almost 10 years. During this time he steered the band from 3rd Section to Championship Section.

In September 2000 Stuart returned as M.D. of Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, exactly 50 years since he blew his first note with his village band.

Stuart has just been awarded a Licentiate Diploma in Brass Band Adjudication by the National Association of Brass Band Conductors, so can now add adjudication to his present conducting activities at Meltham.

Mr Jack Manchester

Presented 16 June 2010

Life time service to Meltham and Meltham Mills Band. Jack re- formed the band immediately after World War II.

Mr Darren Baker

Presented 25 May 2010

Darren attended Bradford Art College graduating in the summer of 1998. After graduation Darren exhibited in London and at the age of 23 was invited to exhibit his paintings at a UK millennium show in New York. In the same year Darren was appointed official artist of The Professional Footballer’s Association (PFA).

Darren went onto produce an impressive art portfolio of contemporary portraits for sports clubs and personalities alike. Having developed a relationship with Huddersfield Town FC, Baker’s creativity was stirred into painting a tribute image of ex-player Frank Worthington. Inspired by black and white photographs, Darren produced a portrait painting of one football’s great characters. Darren has subsequently worked alongside and produced contemporary paintings for other sporting personalities including: David Ginola, Peter Schmiechel, Henrik Larsson, Prince Naseem, Nigel Mansell Jonny Wilkinson and PFA Footballer of the Year portraits of John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Teddy Sheringham. Sporting clubs who have promoted his art include: Manchester United, Leeds United, Glasgow Celtic, BradfordCity, Yorkshire Cricket, and Leeds Rhinos.

Other portraits completed by Darren Baker include HRH Prince Charles and Tony Blair which hang in St James Palace and Downing Street respectively. Darren has also completed contemporary paintings on a range of art subjects including: interiors, portraiture, figurative, equestrian, landscape, and ballet.

More recently Darren Baker has been asked to produce a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate her 85th birthday

Mr Michael Pogson

Presented 25 May 2010

Contribution to the community in particular his work at the Meltham Sports & Community Centre.

Michael has lived in Meltham for many years, a founding member and director, represents the bowling section, a very well known "character" in Meltham and bowling circles throughout Yorkshire. He runs the bar, giving countless hours of his time, without which the club wouldn't have prospered, without which it may not have survived. He prepares the meals for the male Friend-to-Friend, supports social fund raising functions for the Forget-Me-Not Trust Fund.

Mr Laurie Minney

Presented 25 May 2010

Contribution towards the Scouting Movement.

Laurie has been involved with the Scouting movement for most of his adult life. He was awarded the highest national honour within scouting for his service.  I believe it is called the Silver Wolf.  The Examiner also recognised his exceptional work last year at a dinner at the Galpharm Stadium. Laurie is a keen Huddersfield Town Football supporter, loves the outdoors and walking and he is an allotment holder.