11 amazing things that Huddersfield has given the world

Huddersfield became a municipal borough 155 years ago when, on July 7 1868, it was granted a Royal Charter.

At the time it was called Huddersfield Corporation, which superseded the Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners. A ceremony was held at the George Hotel when the papers were signed and the administrative body was formed.

Of course the history of Huddersfield goes back much further than the corporation but it was an important milestone in the development of the town, its infrastructure and identity.

READ MORE: Police chase as 'man with knife' outside Huddersfield shopping centre

To celebrate the history, YorkshireLive has put together a list of 11 things that Huddersfield has given the world, from notable people to world-beating products.

Mills and the world's finest worsted

Huddersfield folk would argue, correctly, that the town's mills have produced the finest British worsted. The wool cloth became known for its fine finish and is still made in Huddersfield.

Proper rugby

Huddersfield saw the effective birth of rugby league in 1895 when reps from 22 clubs met at the town's George Hotel to form the Northern Rugby Football Union, breaking from the established Rugby Football Union.

Rugby in Huddersfield was at the centre of the battle between northern, working class players and southern, middle class players, that led to the split. Rugby league in England went on to set records for player payments and attendances.

Hollywood star

James Mason was born in Marsh, Huddersfield and went on to become a Hollywood star. His dad was a wealthy wool merchant in Huddersfield. Mason went on to be a leading man in movies in a long career.

Back in the 1970s, Mason, then 63, returned to Huddersfield to film a Yorkshire TV show called Home James which looked at the town's music traditions.

Made from metal

Huddersfield workers gave the world a huge number of top quality tractors, courtesy of David Brown's. Now called David Brown Santasalo, the Lockwood-based company makes gearboxes for tanks and nuclear submarines.

A sensible Labour leader

Huddersfield-born Prime Minister Harold Wilson kept Britain out of the Vietnam War, arguably his greatest foreign policy achievement. He won four general elections and also created the Open University. Not bad for a lad from the Hudd.

Who is the Shat Lass?

Actress Jodie Whittaker put Skelmanthorpe on the man when she told Graham Norton she was a proud 'Shat lass'.

She was born in Skelmanthorpe, near Huddersfield, in 1982, and attended Scissett Middle School and Shelley High. She went on to become the first female Dr Who.

Intergalactic superstar

Ok, so Mirfield isn't Huddersfield but it's close enough and, anyway, Patrick Stewart is a Huddersfield Town fan. He was born in Mirfield in 1940. He first trod the boards in local theatre and is now a Hollywood star and one who hasn't forgotten his West Riding roots.

Compo and pals

TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine is still pulling tourists into Holmfirth after all these years. It has been broadcast in dozens of countries from the United States to Canada. Last of the Summer Wine is reported to be the longest-running TV comedy show in Britain and the longest-running TV sitcom in the world. The final episode was in 2010.

Wordsmiths

Huddersfield has produced some fine writers, from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who grew up in Marsden, to Paul David Gould, who grew up in Fartown, and who recently saw his debut novel, Last Dance at the Discotheque, published.

Fresh fragrance

Zoflora is described as the "indulgently fragranced cleaning brand". It is made in Linthwaite, Huddersfield, by Thornton and Ross. The products from the factory are sold around the world.

Fine young radicals

Huddersfield has long been a centre for radicalism, from the Chartists to the Suffragettes.

In 1907, suffragette Dora Thewlis was pictured on the front of the Daily Mirror when she was arrested in London during a protest. She was 16 at the time and labelled the Baby Suffragette.

Dora was born in Shady Row, Meltham Mills, Huddersfield, in 1890 and died in Australia at the aged of 85 or 86.

* What else did Huddersfield give the world? Email andrew.robinson@reach.com

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