history
how it all started
in july 2006 the village of Golcar was rocked by the news of a racially motivated revenge killing - it shocked the community it inspired some amongst it to make a stand and reclaim Golcar to not be remembered in this way and for it to be known for what it truly is
and so in 2007 thanks to Sue Starr of St John’s Church, Golcar Lily Day began and she brought together local churches, groups and organisations to create a village celebration
meetings were held with Sue as chair and Joan Morton taking the minutes
the first event took place on saturday 12 May 2007 with:
It was such a success that it became an annual event on the second Saturday in May and over the years it grew from strength to strength, with:
today thousands of people attend Golcar Lily Day
2017 saw the 10th anniversary, the event reached the Huddersfield Examiner Community Awards final and we won - the trophy was presented to members of the committee at John Smith's Stadium by Nina Hussain
in 2008 Malcolm Fairless revived the Golcar Sing, held on the Sunday of the Golcar Lily weekend at Manor Road school playing fields, with hymns, a choir, and the Huddersfield Wind Band later due to weather uncertainty it moved indoors to Golcar Providence - following Malcolm’s death in 2014, Margaret Laycock led the Sing until the final Sing held on 29th Sept 2019 - sadly Malcolm and Margaret have passed away but will be remembered with deep gratitude for their musical leadership and contributions
the Golcar Lily Environment Group grew from the main committee and now cares for the village year round, creating a garden by the Co op, restoring flower beds, rejuvenating neglected areas, maintaining ginnels, litter picking, caring for the recreation ground and many planters - they meet on the third sunday of each month
Golcar Lily Day owes special thanks to Sue Starr, whose vision, organisation, enthusiasm and determination has sustained the event for the past 19 years. Sue has now stepped down as Chair due to illness, and Soo Ellis kindly stepped in organising the 2025 and 2026 events, with great skill
Thanks also go to:
• the Golcar Lily Day Committee
• the volunteers across churches and venues
• and everyone who helps make the day possible
we also remember with gratitude and fondness Lynne Knight and Elaine Oldham, committee members who have died in recent times and both contributed greatly to the event
Golcar Lily Day always needs volunteers:
in july 2006 the village of Golcar was rocked by the news of a racially motivated revenge killing - it shocked the community it inspired some amongst it to make a stand and reclaim Golcar to not be remembered in this way and for it to be known for what it truly is
and so in 2007 thanks to Sue Starr of St John’s Church, Golcar Lily Day began and she brought together local churches, groups and organisations to create a village celebration
meetings were held with Sue as chair and Joan Morton taking the minutes
the first event took place on saturday 12 May 2007 with:
- stalls throughout the village
- music and exhibitions in churches and venues
- comedy nights in local pubs
- a sunday morning service at St John’s with Vintage Brass
- an evening Golcar Lily service at Golcar Providence
It was such a success that it became an annual event on the second Saturday in May and over the years it grew from strength to strength, with:
- re enactment groups
- Punch and Judy
- circus skills
- choirs and bands
- flypasts
- more stalls than ever, with some booking a year in advance
today thousands of people attend Golcar Lily Day
2017 saw the 10th anniversary, the event reached the Huddersfield Examiner Community Awards final and we won - the trophy was presented to members of the committee at John Smith's Stadium by Nina Hussain
in 2008 Malcolm Fairless revived the Golcar Sing, held on the Sunday of the Golcar Lily weekend at Manor Road school playing fields, with hymns, a choir, and the Huddersfield Wind Band later due to weather uncertainty it moved indoors to Golcar Providence - following Malcolm’s death in 2014, Margaret Laycock led the Sing until the final Sing held on 29th Sept 2019 - sadly Malcolm and Margaret have passed away but will be remembered with deep gratitude for their musical leadership and contributions
the Golcar Lily Environment Group grew from the main committee and now cares for the village year round, creating a garden by the Co op, restoring flower beds, rejuvenating neglected areas, maintaining ginnels, litter picking, caring for the recreation ground and many planters - they meet on the third sunday of each month
Golcar Lily Day owes special thanks to Sue Starr, whose vision, organisation, enthusiasm and determination has sustained the event for the past 19 years. Sue has now stepped down as Chair due to illness, and Soo Ellis kindly stepped in organising the 2025 and 2026 events, with great skill
Thanks also go to:
• the Golcar Lily Day Committee
• the volunteers across churches and venues
• and everyone who helps make the day possible
we also remember with gratitude and fondness Lynne Knight and Elaine Oldham, committee members who have died in recent times and both contributed greatly to the event
Golcar Lily Day always needs volunteers:
- stewards
- helpers
- new committee members
- and so much more
