ARTS & CULTURE Christmas is the time C

HRISTMAS is a time for giving and around Huddersfield there are plenty of opportunities to keep the true spirit of Christmas alive. The Salvation Army run their annual Christmas present appeal until mid-December. Unwrapped toys are required for a range of ages. Suggested gifts are as follows: ■■0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes, puzzles; ■■3-5 years: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, DVDs and CDs (music and nursery rhymes), colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles; ■■5-9 years : educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords; ■■9-12 years: games and toys, stationery, DVDs, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats; ■■13-16 years: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers. Presents can be dropped off at Huddersfield, Mirfield, Brighouse and Halifax Salvation Army churches. The Thirsty Gardener Cafe at Colne Valley Garden Centre is also a drop off point. for homeless and vulnerable people in Huddersfield. The Mission also want you to tag them in a photo showing you with your morning brew using the #itallstartswithabrew. People can donate to the appeal via mobile phone by texting BREW04 £4 to 70070 or via Justgiving or visit the Mission website www. huddersfieldmission.org.uk. Donations can also be made by cheque made payable to Huddersfield Mission or by cash at reception at Huddersfield Mission. Suzanne Gunson and daughters Amy and Lizzie have collected gifts for elderly people who don’t have families for the last two years. They are collecting again and have a number of drop-off points. They are: Huddersfield Tesco, Viaduct Street; Dalton Dental Care, Broad Lane; Wyevale Pennine Garden Centre, Shelley; Meltham Wildlife Rescue (on request – call 07846 344984); Vets4Pets, New Hey Road, Oakes; Inspirations Florist, Wakefield Road, Waterloo; and Kirkburton Library. Pick-ups are also available for larger donations. For details, ring Suzanne on 07533 848211. You can also visit Santa’s Seniors’ Facebook page for more information and gift ideas. From Thursday, November 29 to Saturday, December 1, Tesco in Viaduct Street, Huddersfield, will be encouraging shoppers to donate long-life foods to help charities support people who might otherwise go hungry this Christmas. Volunteers will be in store to greet customers with a list of items most needed by Amy (left) and Suzanne Gunson (right) hand over donations of Christmas presents to Charlene Novak, organiser of the Christmas dinner at the Jubilee Centre, Paddock the charities, with shoppers encouraged to pick up items to donate to the cause at the end of their shop. Tesco will add 20% to the value of the food donated by the public in an effort to beat last years’ total meal and celebration once again this year. Anyone who would be spending Christmas alone or who doesn’t have enough money for a decent meal is invited to attend. There will be transport provided if needed, a The Outlane Singers, who are performing their annual Messiah performance at Outlane Methodist Church. Conductor Suzanne Smelt is pictured extreme right on the front row three course meal, games, singing and a present from Stanta. Volunteers can help set up on Christmas Eve between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, drive guests on Christmas Day or help out serving food and clearing up