Huddersfield

Huddersfield city (1991 pop. 147,825), Kirklees metropolitan district, N central England, on the Colne River. Its textile industry, including cotton, woolen, and rayon goods, is important. Other products are machinery, iron goods, chemicals, and dyed fabrics. Historically, the proximity of coal and transportation facilities by river, canal, and rail contributed greatly to Huddersfield's development. The history of the city dates back to Roman times.

Huddersfield Choral Society. Amateur choir founded in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, in 1836. Regular concerts given since 1881. During 1930s had 400 members, but has since been reduced to 230. Has sung at most Brit. fests. and made many recordings. Its Messiah perf. is renowned. First overseas tour to Netherlands, 1928. Vienna Mus. Fest. 1958, Boston, Mass. 1965. Has also visited Berlin, Brussels, and Lisbon. At one time had its own orch. but now sings with independent orchs. Sir Henry Coward and Sir Malcolm Sargent were conds. for over 30 years each. Other conds. have incl. John Pritchard (1973–80); Owain Arwel Hughes (1980–6); Jane Glover (1988–97); and Martyn Brabbins from 1997. Chorus-masters have incl. Herbert Bardgett, Eric Chadwick, and Douglas Robinson. For centenary (1936) Vaughan Williams wrote Dona Nobis Pacem.

Venn, Henry (1725–97), Evangelical. He was vicar of Huddersfield from 1759 to 1771. He later influenced C.Simeon. His Complete Duty of Man (1763) was popular among Evangelicals. In CW, feast day, 1 July.