We’re flying the flag for district - and it’s a breeze for Hurricane Hannah too
IT’S BEEN a pretty momentus few weeks for Calderdale on a local and global stage.
What with all the recent good news of thousands of visitors flocking to our towns to sample the delights of the Piece Hall and the like and an expected boom next year thanks to the ‘Gentleman Jack’ effect plus the TV exposure we are getting through some amazing Sally Wainwright dramas, it’s fair to say this wonderful part of West Yorkshire is flying high.
Last Thursday I joined over 250 guests at the maginificent Arches banqueting suite at Dean Clough Mills - once the home of one of the biggest carpet companies in the world - and now home to hundreds of thriving businesses for the Courier’s Calderdale Excellence in Business Awards.
It was heartening to hear incedible stories of endeavour and enterprise success from not just the winners but all the companies and individuals taking part - with the hope and belief that our visionary district can fly the flag for years to come.
Co-incidentally - on another continent the same day - our very own golden girl and sporting ambassador, ‘Hurricane’ Hannah
Cockroft, was also flying the flag for Calderdale. Fresh from her record breaking performance in the IPC World Championship T34 100m earlier in the week, the 27-yearold five-time Paralympic champion successfully defended her 800m title blowing her opponants away in a final surge to the finishing line in Dubai in a championship record time of 1:57:27.
It cemented the wheelchair racer’s status as queen of the track with a second gold from the competition - and her 12th world title in all - to further enhance her reputation in paraathletics.
The achievement eclipses the 11 world championship gold medals won by Usain Bolt – widely regarded as the greatest athlete ever.
Well done Hannah. We’re so proud of you.
A captivating personality, her will to win and a beaming smile which never fails to uplift her family, fans and followers.