Did you know?
- The Huddersfield motto is JUVAT IMPRIGROS DEUS which translates to God Helps the Diligent.
- The population of Huddersfield borough is approximately 270,000 making it the largest town in England.
- Huddersfield is twinned with Besancon (France), Bielsko Biala (Poland), Kreis Unna (Germany) and Kostanai (Kazakstan).
- The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield town centre has received an "Outstanding" rating from the Arts Council of England in the area of "Excellence and Innovation".
- Wallace Hartley was the Band Leader on the Titanic when it sank 100 years ago. Up until 1901 he was a member of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra and lived in the town.
- The clock tower of the Parliament building, commonly known as Big Ben is built in Yorkshire stone on the exterior. Internally is granite from Cornwall.
- A gentleman's suit made of superfine mohair and made in Huddersfield was sold for £7000.
- In February 2012 survey found that Huddersfield was the happiest town in the North of England.
- All glass in the viewing pods of the London Eye on the bank of the River Thames was made in Huddersfield.
- David Brown Gears based in Huddersfield was owned by Sir. David Brown. He bought Aston Martin and put his initials on all the cars including the DB5 driven by James Bond (Sean Connery). Their gear boxes were used in Spitfires and are in many Royal Navy warships. They are also involved in gear boxes for Bell Helicopters used by US Marines.
- In December 1977 the Sex Pistols played their last ever live performance in Huddersfield.
- King James’s Grammar School was granted a Royal Charter in 1605 by King James I, the school is still open today.
- Until the Normans invasion in 1066 Huddersfield was known by its Anglo Saxon name ‘Odersfelt’.
- The Huddersfield Parish Church, St. Peters was built in 1073. This was replaced by a new building in 1506 and finally the present church was constructed in 1836. Only three buildings for almost 950 years!
- Rugby League was founded in Huddersfield in 1835 when several Northern clubs broke away from the Rugby Union.
- The famous Bill Shankley of Liverpool FC fame was the manager of Huddersfield Town before moving to Anfield.
- Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery has been voted one of the top 5 in West Yorkshire.
- Oxfam recently announced that per head of population Huddersfield makes the largest donation in England.
- Although Roger Banister ran the first sub 4 minute mile, Huddersfield born Derek Ibotson ran the mile earlier and crossed the line at exactly 4 minutes.
- Other famous Huddersfield born people include the following – Lord Wilson (Harold Wilson ex-Prime Minister), Lord James Hanson, Roy Castle, Gorden Kaye (Allo Allo), Patrick Stewart (Capt Picard, Star Trek), Billy Currie (Ultravox) and Ray Wilson, one of the England World Cup winning Squad in 1966