I'm from Huddersfield, it's near Leeds and Manchester."

That's what I tell people. Everyone knows where Leeds and Manchester are, even if only for the football. It saves the hasslesof explaining that Huddersfield is in West Yorkshire and trying to let them relate that to the map of the U.K currently pictured in their head.

How many people can say they have heard of
Huddersfield? Not many. Perhaps if we were to put more pride in to saying we were from Huddersfield it might become the new Leeds or Manchester.

The award-winning McAlpine Stadium, home of Huddersfield Town and the Huddersfield Giants.

A football team who hasn't won a match, let alone scored a goal, in ages... A limited number of shops with most of us travelling to the crowded streets of cities or bigger shopping centres... Not very appealing, is it? Thinking about it, Huddersfield has a lot, involving both the past and the twenty-first century.

We are the birthplace of Rugby League with its headquarters just outside the town centre. A stadium with a capacity of 13,000 hosting many big games, most recently the England - New Zealand World Cup game. So many people, one
venue, my hometown, national flags, cheering. What an atmosphere!

The Hudersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden

O.K, history isn't something that appeals to all of us, but history is part of Huddersfield. It has its textile industry with weavers' cottages still present in many villages. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has recently been refurbished attracting more visitors.

Most recently we saw the opening of the Kingsgate Centre, a project of over 10 years hard work. It may not be the shoppers' paradise of Meadowhall, Leeds or the Trafford Centre buts it is better than before, our own mini Meadowhall. More shops, more choice, more pride.

The Kingsgate Centre may be Huddersfield's Meadowhall

Pride In Huddersfield was a campaign launched by The Huddersfield Examiner. If you think about it we can be proud of where we live.

"I'm from Huddersfield - the birth place of Rugby League, textile industries, the location for Last Of The Summer Wine and Where The Heart Is and the McAlpine Stadium, host to international and cup matches."

National television shows are based in Huddersfield and the surrounding area, the two most notable ones being Last Of The Summer Wine and Where The Heart Is. Your hometown portrayed for all the country to view - it must have some good qualities.

Huddersfield is the birthplace of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson

The setting of T.V shows, the birthplace of celebrities including Harold Wilson, the politician who can still be seen in the form of a statue in the town centre and Roy Castle, musician and T.V star. Mention these names to people and not only catch their attention but they might remember the place name too.

People will start to notice Huddersfield if only Huddersfield people notice it first. Stand up and be proud. Next time someone asks you where
you're from, take a moment to think before you answer. Put Huddersfield on
the map.