Grants

Wooldale Old Folks' Treat - 10 May 2008.

The earliest reference to the Wooldale Old Folks Treat is in 1908 when the local business owners in the village of Wooldale formed a Committee to provide a "tea and concert" for the elderly. It must have been seen as a way of giving a meal and sing-song to brighten up their lives. The local butchers and bakers seemed all to be involved and this has carried on to this day.

The early Treats were held in the local Chapels, and were very well attended; the cost in one case (1908) ran to the magnificent sum of around £6 10s (£6.50). The only breaks to this tradition occurred in the first and second World Wars, restarting when peace had been restored.


Pictured at the Treat are (l to r) WOFT President Mr Roger Williams,
The Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Jean Calvert, Mrs Monica Williams
and Parish Council Chairman Cllr Charles Kaye.

The event is now held in Holmfirth High School and the attendance for this year's Centenary Treat was 136 meals served at the school and 84 teas taken out. After the meal the guests were entertained by a School Jazz Band, a Magician and the Honley Ladies Choir. When the guests eventually left around 8pm, they were given a gift to mark the occasion. The cost of this year's Treat was in the region of £2,750.

The Committee wishes to express its gratitude for the generous donation from the Parish Council.

K. McNamara
WOFT Chairman