2025: A year of community, charity and celebration

Having been part of Calderdale and Kirklees since 1886, Wilkinson Woodward has always taken pride in playing an active and visible role within our local communities.

In 2025, we once again embraced opportunities to support the people, charities and events that make our region what it is.

Supporting local events and traditions

We started the year with our sponsorship of the much-loved Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival in February. This unique nighttime lantern parade saw more than 200 lanterns carried alongside illuminated performers and marching bands, celebrating local legend and creativity while attracting visitors from across the region.

In April, we hosted our highly anticipated Annual Charity Quiz Night in support of Overgate Hospice. Nearly 120 people attended the event at the Shay Stadium, drawn in by friendly competition, the promise of a pie and pea supper, and a popular raffle. Together, we raised £2,300 for Overgate’s Big Build Appeal. We also sponsored a hole at the Overgate Hospice Charity Golf Day in June, with members of the Wilkinson Woodward team taking part in the tournament.

Our support of the Huddersfield Literature Festival continued this year with sponsorship of the Alan Johnson on Harold Wilson event. The former Home Secretary delivered an engaging and insightful talk on the Huddersfield-born Prime Minister, drawing a strong audience and reinforcing the festival’s place in the town’s cultural calendar.

May saw us support the Slaithwaite Brass Band Beer Festival by sponsoring a programme page and a keg of beer. The family-friendly event brought together food stalls, children’s attractions, real ales and live music from the volunteer-run Slaithwaite Brass Band, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

In June, the team was once again out in force at the Brighouse 1940s Weekend. As in previous years, we set up a gazebo outside our Brighouse office and ran a children’s colouring competition, helping to add to the fun of one of the area’s most popular annual events.

Following our move into new premises in Brighouse town centre, we invited the community to visit our new offices and celebrate with cakes and bubbly during an open afternoon.

Our links with Manor Heath in Halifax continued through sponsorship of the map in this year’s Halifax Gala programme, as well as Gold Sponsorship of the K9 Party in the Park. This much-loved family event for dog lovers raised funds for the Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch of the RSPCA and drew visitors of all ages.

Fundraising and giving back

Later in the summer, we sponsored a water stand for the Kirkwood Starlight Walk, an annual fundraising organised by The Kirkwood Hospice. The event saw over 1,000 participants head out from the Accu Stadium, walking distances of up to 10 miles.

In September, we held our annual Wilkinson Woodward Charity Walk, raising over £3,000 for The Candlelighters, Yorkshire’s leading children’s cancer charity. This year’s walk was held in memory of Max Swift, whose family connection to the firm – his mum, Katie, has been with us for over 22 years – made the event especially meaningful and served as a reminder that behind every fundraiser is a very personal story.

We also attended a range of fundraising and community events, including the Next Step Trust Glitz, Glam and Giving Evening and the Overgate Hospice Ladies Luncheon, which brought together over 300 women for a festive day with entertainment, raffles, and auctions. We also supported the Almondbury Music Festival through programme sponsorship.

Alongside various events, we were also pleased to support the Halifax Light Opera Society Juniors, sponsoring their Juniors Jubilation 50th Celebration Ball at Bertie’s in Elland, along with several local sports teams, including MSA Huddersfield Thai Boxing, Laund Hill Rugby Union (Girls under 14 team) and Elland Rugby League Boys under 15s.
 

Finishing strong

As the festive season approached, we sponsored an impressive nine-foot tree at the Halifax Minster Tree Festival, took part in Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Ward 38 at Leeds General Infirmary, raising £X, and enjoyed a fantastic weekend at the Brighouse Christmas Market. Over the course of the weekend, our team handed out more than 1,000 mince pies while greeting familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones.

We also marked several important internal milestones, including an early celebration of Clive Master’s retirement after 35 years with the firm. Besides his invaluable contribution at work, Clive has played a key role in our charitable activities over the years, particularly the annual quiz night, working closely with James Hodgson to ensure the event is always entertaining, memorable and fun.

The year concluded with a well-deserved team Christmas celebration at La Luna in Halifax.

Reflecting on the past year feels especially fitting as we approach a major milestone – Wilkinson Woodward will be celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2026. We look forward to marking this occasion while continuing to support the places and people that have shaped us for generations.

Finally, we would like to sincerely thank all our clients for their continued support throughout 2025. We look forward to working with you again in 2026 and continuing to give back to our community together.