Rachael Chadwick
Rachael works for Morrisons Supermarket and has worked for them for over 20 years. 8 years as their Customer Champion
She is often seen placing chocolate bars and words of encouragement to the cars in the stores car park in all weathers, bringing a smile to the recipients.
Rachael often attends various meetings, going above and beyond her Liaison Role. At the Over 60’s meetings, she offers an ear to some of the elderly who live alone and appreciate her visit. She arranges gifts for many meeting’s in the form of raffle prizes, seasonal items, such as roses at Valentines Day, Christmas Cake etc. For a lot of the clubs in Meltham, Over 60’s, Friend to Friend, Meltham Wl, and I am aware she organises the donation of the oranges to Helme Church when they have their Christingle Service for the Congregation
She deals with groups doing collections and arranges Charity bag packing in house,
Supporting lots of local groups with coffee mornings and dealing with the foodbanks and asking for their requirements ,
Overall Rachael brings the community together with a friendly smile and a chat with anyone that may just need a friend
We the Over 60’s feel someone who does so much for the community of Meltham and outlying villages deserves this recognition
Bev Corrigan
Bev has for many years been involved with the Kirklees Bridleways Group (KBG), she is currently the secretary.
The aim of the group is to safeguard all historic bridleway routes by getting them recorded for public use.
Bev has been extremely successful in organising this and it ensures that bridleways in and around Meltham, Helme and Wilshaw and beyond are safe for future generations. KBG also organises clearance days on bridleways, byways and footpaths cutting back encroaching and overhanging vegetation.
Bev was recently awarded a certificate by the British Horse Society for her voluntary services as an Access & Bridleways Officer in our area.
Jenny Allgood
Jenny has been involved with Friend to Friend (FtF) for approx. 15 years.
She became the main organiser in Meltham in 2010. Jenny’s role is to plan, book and organise volunteers in the preparation and delivery of lunch, entertainment and a raffle for up to 50 elderly people which takes place monthly at the Methodist Church Hall. She organises volunteers for each lunch and drivers to bring elderly people to the lunch who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Jenny helps out occasionally with the FtF Men’ s Group at the Complex and the Tai Chi sessions at the Methodist Church Hall. Every year, she organises a trip for members.
Her volunteers are full of praise for her work and the members who attend say ‘it’s a lifeline’ and ‘I never miss Friend to Friend’. It is evident that Jenny has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of many people in Meltham.
During lockdown Jenny and her volunteers telephoned members once a week. In addition, Jenny delivered birthday cards & knitted hearts which she made herself to all members.
By way of recognition of her commitment and support to the community, Amy Garcia from Look North came to Meltham before Christmas 2021 to follow Jenny & other volunteers taking Christmas presents out to members. At Easter 2021 all members received an Easter card & spring flowers.
Richard Crankshaw
Richard Crankshaw is one of the unsung heroes of Meltham. Despite having 2 children and elderly parents, Richard volunteers as a school governor and works as a driving instructor and although all of this keeps him very busy, he is never too busy to help anybody, in anyway he is able.
Richard is the man to turn to when there is an event in Meltham and a road needs closing for a few hours for a parade. (Remembrance Sunday or Meltham Memories especially). It is also Richard who, on his own, keeps our streets and event areas clear of rubbish. He goes round almost unseen with his litter picker and black bag touring the site and surrounding areas for any rubbish left by inconsiderate visitors.
At this year’s Meltham Memories, he was touring the town from opening at 10am until the concert closed on the car park after 10pm. Just Richard, his litter picker and a black bag clearing the whole area of any debris left. In the past he has piled his filled bags in the turning circle and arranged for them to be removed as soon as possible the following week but this year they had a large skip based in the corner of the car park in which he could throw his black bags.
I doubt whether people realise that he is not a paid employee but just a resident of Meltham, who cares enough for the town to give up his own time, without payment or recognition, to keep Meltham clean and free from litter.
Richard is an unassuming and conscientious volunteer, who deserves to be recognised for his dedication. Our very own ‘Meltham Womble’.
Meltham and Meltham Mills Band
I think we all need to recognise how valuable this organisation is to our community. The band was first established in 1846 and has continued, throughout the years, to support the village in so many ways.
The band is very active in both National and Regional competitions placing Meltham in the spotlight as a lively and forward thinking musical town. The band is currently 2022, 2nd section champions, which is only achieved by hours of practice from the whole team .
Young people between the ages of 7 -17 are welcome to join the Meltham Junior Blast, where they are taught to play an instrument at no charge. They are also, vitally, in this economic crisis, loaned an instrument to learn on.
Playing an instrument is well known to be not only educational, it has great social benefits and improves mental well-being. Many local children have had their musical education enhanced by learning and developing through this organisation.
It teaches the importance of working in a team and also develops team leadership for the individual section leaders, who rely on the support of the whole team.
There is no limit to age, in fact, one member has been playing in the band for 64 years. There is a core group who have played together for many years and this provides stability for the younger and newer members of the band.
The band always turn out for the many events that take place in the town and have led many parades.
They entertain both young and old alike, having a great repertoire of music.
None of these things would happen if it were not for the many hours of practice that these people put in. (In their own time, and unpaid!. In fact, during contesting time this can be 7 days a week.
The band would not survive if it were not for donations they receive and the volunteers who work tirelessly.
I think the band deserve a huge Thank You from all of us for all their hard work and dedication to our community
