Peter Foden
Peter Foden 2014, pictured with his wife Janet.
Peter has been a member of Meltham British Legion for 25 years. Over the past 10 years he has been actively involved, taking on the dual roles of Poppy organiser and Parade Marshall, officiating at Civic Sunday, Remembrance Sunday and more recently the 1940s parade. His most outstanding and demanding contribution is as the Poppy organiser, which he carries out virtually single handed, ordering /sorting the poppies and wreaths, contacting all the volunteers, collating the rota to collect at Morrisons, preparing and distributing the 63 collection boxes to the schools, shops, pubs/clubs, elderly people’s care homes, etc, then collecting them, counting the cash and taking it to the bank, which has been in excess of £8,000 and has reached £10,000. He is always willing to give much of his free time to help anyone. A truly caring candidate for a Pride of Meltham award.
Jackie Sill
Jackie Sill 2014
Jackie is well respected in Meltham for her devotion to duty within the Scouting Group. In 1971 as a Club Leader, and later as District Leader helping raise money for the upkeep of the HQ up to the present day. She was on the committee for the Meltham Gala and is presently a committee member for the Meltham Over 60s taking on the printing of membership cards and the very successful Recipe Book. Plus all the Publicity and Programs and Winners Cards for the Meltham Gardeners Show. For her relaxation! Jackie is a season ticket holder for Huddersfield Town Football Club and is pleased to say she has never missed a Home match.
Kathy Heaney
Kathy Heaney 2014, pictured with her partner Clr Brook.
This amazing lady provides refuge and care for our local, injured or orphaned wildlife animal. She provides care, not only day and night, but also 365 days a year. When Cath is having a well-earned holiday or having a few days away, she has enrolled members of the community and taught them how to help her provide this continuity of care.
Cath is highly respected by our local vets who recognise her expertise in wildlife care, and she is their first point of contact when animals are taken to them.
Care is provided from a position of safe haven for the young ones through to High Dependency and Intensive Care for the seriously injured ones. Recovery rate and release back to the wild is very high. Cath pays for all the care and medication these animals receive out of her own pocket without a second thought.
This is a great place for our young people to spend their work experience module from school, which many do. They learn so many things from Cath, particularly caring for the sick, respecting the vulnerable and working as a team in order to achieve goals.
Cath is highly respected by the major wildlife hospitals across the county where learning and help is shared.
Cath’s work is inspirational and her knowledge is incredible.
Duncan Crawshaw
Duncan Crawshaw 2014
Duncan is a Huddersfield man and he married a Meltham girl, Mary Baily in 1965. Whilst being single he was called up to do National Service and served in The Royal Signals. In 1972 they came to live in Meltham and almost straight away he became involved in village life. His three children attended Meltham C E School and he became a member of the Parent Teacher Committee and later he was chairperson. This was in a period of intense activity for the PTC as they were raising money to build a swimming pool at the school.
For over 40 years he was a member of St Bartholomew’s Church Council and has served as Church Warden and Church Secretary, responsible positions within the structure of the church. Along with others in a team they ran a Saturday Night Youth Club and Saturday Discos in the Church Hall for teenagers. This was a very worthwhile initiative and lasted quite a few years and also included weekends away for the young people at Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd – all part of an endeavour to develop right attitudes in young people.
He joined St Bartholomew’s Church Gilbert & Sullivan Society within a few years of its inception (and now in its 51st year) first as back stage hand and then for many years in the men’s chorus.
He was elected to Meltham Town Council in 2003 and served two terms and became Chairman of the Council in 2007/2008. Duncan’s record of service to the community he loves warrants recognition of the award Pride in Meltham.
