Eric Marsh
Eric was born in January 1927. He moved to Meltham 22 years ago and is a member of the Baptist Chapel. He has always been happy to give lifts
in his little car, whenever needed. Eric worked for a number of years at the Crossroads Shop, entertaining customers with his fabulous sense of humour.
Until recently, he has been heavily involved with ‘Operation Christmas Child’, packing and collecting shoe boxes. Once packed they are delivered to
disadvantaged children abroad in time for Christmas.
Unfortunately, after he turned 90 in January, Eric was quite ill and was not up to his usual activities. Saturday coffee mornings at the church hall were
not the same without him, when he could often be seen selling quiz sheets, he had invented himself, to raise money for one cause or another.
He is a well liked and popular member of the Community and no one is more deserving of a Pride of Meltham Award.
Meltham Memories
Meltham Memories is a popular annual 1940s weekend and this year took place on 1st and 2nd July 2017. The idea started in the pub – a
conversation between the landlady, Pam Cox, and a couple of customers almost 10 years ago. The event has continued to grow each year – with more
visitors, stalls and exhibitions and each year, a parade, followed by a fly-past from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
This year is its 10th annual event and although the faces behind the scenes have changed, the economic impact, which the weekend generates,
should not be underestimated. It has now reached a stage where it is self-funding, a testament to the fundraising activities and diligent work which is
delivered by the Committee all year round.
Therefore a worthy group to receive a Pride of Meltham Award.
Reverend Maureen Read
Reverend Maureen Read came to the Parish of Christ the King on 24th February 2009.
Maureen soon became an important figure in Meltham, often known as the ‘kissing vicar’ to the adults and the ‘high five vicar’ to the children. She had
a busy time with four churches to look after in the area and was often seen rushing from one to another to perform two services on a Sunday morning.
The Parish had hoped to keep her until her retirement next year, but a phone call from the Bishop changed that and the lady is going home to Shropshire
where she was born.
She will be sadly missed in Meltham, as she is a caring, loving and popular lady, who has always had time for everyone who needs her. We are delighted
to be presenting Maureen with Meltham’s special ‘Service to the Community Award’ as we say ‘Thank you’ and wish her good luck in her new position
Dr Mitchell
Dr Mitchell started work in Meltham on 1st September 1987 and soon became a partner with Dr “Mac” Coates and Dr Liz Tattersall
Dr Mitchell and his partners saw the importance of developing a wider primary healthcare team which included not only District Nurses and Health
Visitors, but also Physiotherapists ,Social Workers and Clinical Psychiatric Nurses.
Dr Mitchell and his collagues have always strived to provide consistent high-quality care, trying to do the best for their patients in Meltham.
Dr. Mitchell and his wife Anne are retired but still have the garden to look after and are running 5km several times a week and Dr. Mitchell continues to
work ad hoc locum sessions at the practice. With this award, we thank Dr Mitchell for his dedicated years of Service to the Community.
Dr Michael Pacynko
Dr Michael Pacynko took over the Meltham Village Surgery in 1991. There were no fixed premises and for quite a while, Dr Pacynko ran
his surgery from a portable cabin in the Carlile Street car park with no running water. When one of his first patients required his ears syringing,
this had to be done in the public toilets.
Things have improved tremendously since then and the future of the surgery has recently been secured by the merger with Elmood Family Doctors in
Holmfirth, so after nearly 26 years, Dr Pacynko decided to retire and spend some leisure time with his family, planning trips with his wife in their
camper van and his much loved sport of fishing.
With this award, we thank Dr Pacynko for his dedicated years of Service to the Community and although he will be missed, we wish him a long and
happy retirement.
Darrel Clegg
From the first year that the Meltham Greenway opened, Darrel Clegg offered his services to help to keep the area tidy and he has
returned at the end of every summer to carry out this task. He has cut back trees where necessary and often where other volunteers would not have
been capable of doing so.
In 2015 when a section of the Greenway became dangerous, a local company was employed to create some steps but after they failed to carry out the
work, Darrel stepped in and completed the work in a week for the same price.
Many people in Meltham speak highly of Darrel and we are delighted to present him with the Pride of Meltham Award.
