Kirklees Together

We’ll be flooding Castle Hill’s Victoria Tower, Dewsbury Town Hall, and Batley Town Hall in blue light this Thursday evening (9/4/20), to coincide with the national show of thanks for local NHS staff.

We’re working with Element 3 Design and TG Events, to light up these local landmarks as a show of respect for the NHS staff, carers and other front line workers that are keeping us safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

When will the landmarks be lit up?

The installations will be visible from dusk (approx. 8:30pm) until 10pm, and are best enjoyed from a distance – perfect for all those who are watching from home.

Castle Hill will be closed to visitors during the day and evening, and residents are reminded that travelling to any of these landmarks is regarded as non-essential travel and that they should remain at home.

How can I see them from home?

We will be live streaming the show on our Facebook page so that it can be enjoyed safely from the comfort of our homes.

The live sessions are scheduled for the following times.

8:30pm – 8:40pm live from Batley Town Hall

8:55pm – 9:05pm live from Dewsbury Town Hall

9:10pm  – 9:25pm live from Castle Hill

Anyone who misses the streaming will be able to watch it later on the council’s Facebook channel.  At the same time, a message of thanks will be displayed on the large screen outside Kingsgate for those essential staff who are working to see as they drive past.

Cllr Shabir Pandor Leader of the Council said:

“Every Thursday at 8pm we have been clapping to show our appreciation to the heroes keeping everyone safe and well during the coronavirus pandemic.

“This includes NHS staff, carers and also our frontline key workers from bin crews and highways workers to delivery drivers and supermarket workers, who are making sure vital services don’t stop. It’s so important that we all realise that without these people this crisis would be far worse than what it is.

“This week we wanted to make an even bigger gesture to show you just how grateful we all are. So we’ve worked in partnership with local businesses to do something special.

“I’m delighted to confirm that tomorrow night at 8pm Castle Hill in Huddersfield and our town halls in Dewsbury and Batley will all light up blue to show our gratitude.  Please remember to join in as we clap our heroes every Thursday at 8pm, and then enjoy the show from your home from as the sky darkens.”

“We have not reached the peak of the pandemic yet and we need to continue to support our workers. We can do this by exercising self-discipline by staying at home and staying safe.”

Element 3 Design and TG Events are the two companies behind the spectacular light installations at Castle Hill and Emley Moor Mast back in 2014, when the Tour De France visited Huddersfield.  And while their work normally takes them all around the world, both are now grounded indefinitely due to Coronavirus, and keen to put their skills to good use in their home town.

Tim Garbutt, MD at TG Events said:

“After the emotion of the first Claps for the NHS, I was tagged by friends and colleagues in so many social media posts calling for Castle Hill to be lit again’.

“James and I both wanted to give something back to our town, and to our family and friends currently working on the frontline in the NHS, so the opportunity to work with the council  on this came at the ideal time.”

Speaking about a whole host of suppliers who have supported efforts to make the installation happen, James Bawn, MD at Element 3 Design said:

“We’ve been blown away by the can-do attitude and generosity of our regular suppliers, who are all keen to be involved and show their gratitude to all those currently working on the frontline.   Our crew also stepped up immediately to volunteer their time so that we can make this happen – observing social distancing and safety guidelines, of course.”