It’s a competition that’s unique with the chance to win a prize worth thousands of pounds.

Huddersfield entrepreneur and philanthropist Prof Graham Leslie CBE has just published his autobiography, Ahead of The Curve, with all the money from its sale going to charity.

But in a move that’s thought to be the first of its kind in the publishing industry, Graham also wanted to give people who buy the book the chance to win a prize that would be highly personal to them and one which would normally cost thousands of pounds.

The book includes a competition where people have to answer three questions and the winner will get specially commissioned artwork done by Royal artist Richard Gower, who lives in Upper Hopton, between Mirfield and Kirkheaton.

Graham founded highly successful pharmaceuticals company Galpharm, became the instigator and driving force behind building Huddersfield’s stadium 30 years ago and was the founder chairman of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd.

He is known for his love of art and thought the chance to win a personalised artwork by such a top artist is a highly unusual prize yet one the winner will treasure forever.

 

 

Richard Gower (left) with Graham Leslie CBE

In his book Graham says of art: “I love art and the immense skill and creativity it involves never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Richard Gower is so talented and can paint in any style from Picasso to Van Gogh.”

Richard did a painting of Huddersfield Town centre-back Christopher Schindler scoring the winning penalty at Wembley to send Town into the Premier League in 2017.

Richard painted Schindler taking the spot kick and did a limited edition of 50 which raised thousands of pounds for the Huddersfield Town Foundation, the Leslie Sports Foundation and the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.

Graham reveals in his book how Richard became a Royal artist and why what he did for the Queen was unique.

READ MORE: How Royal artist Richard Gower is one of Huddersfield’s best kept secrets

He says: “Richard did a painting depicting the Duke of Edinburgh’s last ever formal engagement in August 2017 when he was 96, meeting Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace who had done a 1,664-mile trek for charity. This was in his role as their Captain General and the painting captures the poignant moment he tipped his bowler hat to them.

“I suggested he send it to the Queen and he sent an image of it to Her Majesty offering the painting as a gift. Richard received a letter back from Balmoral to contact the Queen’s Lady In Waiting, saying that throughout the Queen’s reign she had never accepted a painting from any artist as they had all been commissioned.

“However, she added that if Richard would like to go to Buckingham Palace the Queen would graciously receive the gift. He did and so, it seems, Richard is the only artist to have provided the Queen with a painting that wasn’t commissioned.”

And now the competition winner can have Richard paint whatever they want – be that their favourite place, building or even a portrait.

 

Richard is at heart an impressionist in the style of Monet, Renoir and Pissarro but his own series of works, called Reflections, have been likened to a modern-day Lowry.

It can be figures or a scene, a moment in time captured on canvas. Reflections can be reflections in water, reflections on life or the reflection of personalities. The figures, created with quick brushstrokes, pull you into the scene.

Richard’s reputation as a British contemporary artist to follow – and collect – is growing, and the prices of his work are rising. Richard is represented by London galleries and takes bespoke commissions.

He said: “I’m quite humbled when I’m asked to do a commission. It’s fascinating to capture a moment in someone’s life.

“That’s usually taken from a photograph and then they choose me to capture that moment, their personality, their life in oils – forever. It’s phenomenal. No disrespect to photographers but a painting has the artist’s heart and soul in it. It’s a feeling as well as an image.”

 

 

To have a chance to win the competition simply buy Graham’s book and the competition questions are revealed near the front along with information on how to enter.

The book, priced £10.99, is available in bookshops and online at https://www.gnbooks.co.uk/product/ahead-of-the-curve/

All proceeds from its sale are going to the charity Making Waves which is the charitable side to the Waves day centre in Slaithwaite and takes members from Huddersfield, Kirklees and across West Yorkshire.

Waves is one of the most innovative day centres in the UK, helping people aged 18 and over with learning and/or physical difficulties to lead full lives with activities including performing arts, baking, making music, arts and crafts, virtual reality games, swimming, walks, horticulture, caring for animals, holidays and sharing what they do on social media.

The charity supports the centre and also provides respite care and overnight breaks when members’ families face a crisis.

For full competition terms and conditions go to https://ah-pr.com/work/terms-and-conditions-for-chance-to-win-a-great-prize-for-people-who-buy-graham-leslies-autobiography-ahead-of-the-curve

 

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