Thousands of people flocked to one of Huddersfield’s favourite annual events after the sun transformed Saturday into the warmest day of the year so far.

Golcar Lily Day is held on the second Saturday in May and this is the third time in a row it’s been blessed with good weather.

One of the organisers, Sue Starr, said: “Good weather certainly brings the crowds out and it was a wonderful day. We just love putting on a free event which brings the whole community together and attracts visitors from far and wide.

“We’ve had some really cold and wet days in the past – I remember once sitting on the Golcar Library steps during one absolutely drenched – so a dry day makes such a big difference.

“The day began with a Big Sing featuring choirs and schools at 11am organised by Kirklees Musica and people who came to that then stayed all day as many more people arrived in time for the procession through the village.”

Music features strongly throughout the day funded by the By and Buy Community Shop on Sycamore Avenue in Golcar. The day featured Huddersfield Wind Band, Golcar Band, Slaithwaite Band, Huddersfield and Ripponden Band, Vintage Brass Band, Honley Ladies Choir, indie folk pop band Fishing For Compliments and the Sundown Swing big band.

Gallery of images by Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE

 

The procession was led by Slaithwaite Band and included re-enactment groups such as the Medieval Normanis Shire Court, Sealed Knot English Civil War, the 33rd Foot Napoleonic Firing Display team along with Durham Light Infantry and French Resistance from World War Two.

The event also features games, crafts, exhibitions and classic cars. The name for Golcar Lily Day originates from the fact that the Lily of the Valley flower grew widely throughout the Colne Valley before the Industrial Revolution and next year’s event will be held on Saturday, May 10.

A planned flypast by a World War Two Hurricane was cancelled at the last minute after the ground crew spotted a small oil leak just before it was due to take off.

Sue said: “The pilot kindly phoned me about an hour before he was expected to fly over the Colne Valley to explain what had happened and to wish as all the best for the day.

“And it was just that – one, if not the best, Golcar Lily Day we’ve ever held.”

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.