Lindley’s ‘Big Weekend’ has been hailed a huge success and planning is already underway for next year.

Hundreds of people flocked to the village last month for the award-winning annual weekend of community events which includes Lindley Carnival and Lindley 10k race.

The jam-packed weekend kicked off with a Friday night street party on Lidget Street. There was live music from a local rock band, Alex Spy, while Lidget Street was lined with stalls and street food sellers.

Hundreds of people attended the Lindley Carnival, which took place the following day at Fern Lea Recreation Ground. It was a day of fairground rides, food and drink stalls, games and activities and featured the Jez Avery Stunt Show.

Rounding off the weekend of community events, the Lindley 10k took place on Sunday and involved hundreds of participants competing in a 10k race, starting and finishing on Lidget Street. There was also a race for younger competitors, the Lindley Junior Run.

The new Mayor of Kirklees, Lindley councillor Cahal Burke, opened the carnival and attended throughout the weekend.

Money was raised during the weekend to support two charities which are the Mayor’s Charity of the Year in 2023-24 – the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity and the Royal Air Force Association (Huddersfield branch).

Clr Burke said: “Firstly, I would like to thank our volunteers, sponsors, stallholders, musicians, performers and everyone who was involved with, and supported, our community events. It was a fantastic effort!

“It was an honour to open the 2023 Lindley Carnival as Mayor of Kirklees. I’m proud that I’ve been involved with the Lindley Carnival for 15 years, helping to organise it and volunteering.

“It was Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 24, so we were able to fly the Armed Forces flag at the Lindley Carnival to commemorate all our servicemen and servicewomen who dedicate their lives to serving our country.

“We wanted to show our support, so we raised money for the Royal Air Force Association and I would like to thank everyone who donated to a cause which is so close to me.

“This year, we also celebrated 10 years of the Lindley 10k race. Again, I would like to thank our volunteers. It was a warm day, so I would also like to thank and congratulate everyone who took part and persevered in the race.”

Fellow Lindley Lib Dem councillor Anthony Smith, who also helped to organise the weekend of community events, said: “The weekend was an amazing success, and there was a fantastic attendance at all the community events.

“We’re already looking ahead and thinking about the Big Weekend next year. The events require a huge amount of effort, time and resources.

“However, the costs of organising community events and festivals are spiralling and the Lindley weekend of community events is different. The Lindley Street Party and the Lindley Carnival are free events, so we need support.

“The escalating costs are putting the events at risk, so any businesses who would like to get involved and provide sponsorship would be hugely welcome.”

Individuals, groups or businesses who would like to get involved with and support the community events in 2024 can contact the organisers, Lindley Community Group, at: info@lindleygroup.org.uk. Alternatively, they can contact the Lindley councillors, Clr Burke and Clr Smith, directly.

Likewise, any individuals who are interested in finding out about voluntary opportunities at the Big Weekend can contact Lindley Community Group or contact the Lindley councillors. Further information can be found at: http://www.lindleygroup.org.uk.

Further information about the Mayor’s Charity of the Year in 2023-24 can be found at the following link: https://www.chftcharity.co.uk/mayors-charity-of-the-year.

Entry for the Lindley 10k race in 2024 is available online at: http://www.lindleygroup.org.uk.