Theft of Harold’s scarf gave us the needle but now you can get a jab too

Super Saturday in Huddersfield will become the NHS’s Big Vaccination Weekend as thousands of people are being invited to get their Covid-19 jab.

A pop-up vaccination clinic will pitch up in St George’s Square on Saturday and Sunday – alongside the finale of the Woven Festival’s Big Rainbow Knit.

Woven will offer knitting themed fun including yarn stalls, displays, scaled up craft demonstrations, roaming theatre and music. Organisers got the needle somewhat when the Woven scarf around the statue of Harold Wilson was stolen.

There will be a chance to drop in for a needle of a different kind at the pop-up vaccination tent outside Huddersfield Railway Station from 10am-5pm on Saturday June 26 and 10am-4pm on Sunday June 27.

The aim of the additional pop-up in St George’s Square is to make it as easy as possible for people who have yet to be vaccinated.

And, as an extra incentive, Kirklees Council has also announced that there will be free parking available at the following car parks: Springwood, Huddersfield Leisure Centre, Cambridge Road, Bath Street and Huddersfield Bus Station as well as all council run on-street parking spaces within the town centre on Saturday and Sunday. Maximum stay limits will still apply, however.

Huddersfield’s two main vaccination centres will also be open for drop-in appointments. Anyone over 18 will be able to have their first vaccine without an appointment at the John Smith’s Stadium (8am-7pm Saturday & Sunday) and Cathedral House (Saturday only; 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm).

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, director of public health at Kirklees Council, said: “We’ve seen already how pop-up vaccination clinics are helping make sure that the vaccination programme leaves no-one behind.

“The additional push this weekend means that even if you haven’t had chance to book an appointment you can get a vaccine.

“We want to make it as simple and convenient as possible for everyone to get vaccinated. Our infection rate is still high, and we need to make sure deaths and hospital admissions don’t rise as we enjoy being able to do more things with our friends and loved ones.”

Steve Brennan, responsible officer for the NHS in Kirklees, added: “The aim of this weekend is about vaccinating as many people as possible and making the process easy for everyone to get their jabs – whether that is a first or second dose. If you are 18 or over please go and get your jab.”

Mr Asghar Khan, managing director at Medicare Chemists who are running the St George’s Square pop-up, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Kirklees Council as part of their larger vaccination roll-out.

“The Woven Festival at St George’s Square provides the perfect opportunity to allow people to access the vaccination service in a central location.

“I would encourage anyone over 18 to make the choice to protect their families and themselves by stepping inside one of Kirklees’ many vaccination clinics.”

Huddersfield BID has designated every summer Saturday ‘Super Saturday’ with entertainment in the town centre.

This Saturday there’s a children’s book reading of ‘Toby’s Time Machine’ by children’s entertainer Isaac Whittaker-Dakin and a book signing by local children’s writer Megan Woodward.

The NHS and council are working together to make sure as many people can get a vaccine as possible, and more drop in sessions are planned over the coming weeks. You can find a full list of places to get a vaccine on the council’s website: www.kirklees.gov.uk/covid19vaccinations