WE DID IT.

It was a bumpy road, but we got there.

Oxjam Huddersfield 2011 was...

Fred Hollingsworth, who organised every single band and kept the show running.

Natalie Heath, for recruiting our volunteers

Nicola Wilcock, who kept all the books in order.

Steph Stephenson, who organised our online presence, played on the night and supported two other acts aswell.

Simon Heawood and his band of amazing ‘RAG’ volunteers who rose to the occasion and provided so much support in our time of need.

It was all held together by our commander and chief, the wonderful Jess Pickard. She was the brains of this years takeover, She’s not stopped since July and she put together a hell of a show. Thank you Jess, and well done to you all.

oh and me, David Henderson, I did okay I guess.

Our Takeover event was a roaring success. Great music, great crowds. The atmosphere was wonderful and everyone loved it. We pulled off a great takeover event that maintained the Oxjam Huddersfield legacy. I couldn’t be happier.

It goes without saying, but our hearts go out to our six venues. They opened their doors to us and let our message be heard for a second year. This year was very last minute and filled with complications, setbacks and even an entire management restructure and I whole heartedly appreciate their faith in us in a team and for putting up with us.

Fred, Steph, a few Sound Techies and I were huddled up in a corner at the after party and we started talking. Talking about something that’s both integral but almost secondary to Oxjam. Charity. The beauty about Oxjam is it’s charity without guilt. We don’t have to beg and irritate people for money, people are happy to come down for the amazing line-up and atmosphere. Charity at Oxjam is almost a happy by-product. We haven’t got an exact figure, but despite our shortcomings we’ve raised close to £2,500 for Oxfam. That kind of hit us all in a big way. To put it in perspective. That’s enough money to buy a school with equipment, or as Fred worked out using Oxfam’s metric, over 1000 Goats. All of that comes from what is simply, a 'reet good' gig.

Oxfam said: "As well as raising money for Oxfam, the evening also provided a great opportunity to raise awareness about Oxfam's GROW campaign. GROW focuses on food justice and looks at ways we can fix the inequalities in the global food system. Campaigners visited all six venues, speaking to the festival-goers about GROW and asking for pledges to support the campaign by posing with the GROW pledge speech bubble or making a paper-plate pledge.

Oxfam campaigner Charlotte Holgate said: "Oxjam had such a great atmosphere. It was wonderful speaking to all the enthusiastic people who were so keen to pledge their for support the GROW campaign."

All that’s left to say is thank you all for making Oxjam Huddersfield possible again and for making October 15th 2011 one of the proudest days of my life.

Dave Henderson

Deputy Takeover Manager

Oxjam Huddersfield 2011

Signing off.