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Association of Ukrainians In Great Britain Ltd (Huddersfield Branch)

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  1. In 1946, at the end of the Second World War, Ukrainians arriving in Great Britain founded the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain ('the Association') in order to promote and support the interests of the Ukrainian Community within the UK. The AUGB is the largest representative body for Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian descent in the UK.

    AUGB (Huddersfield) was established in 1948 by newly arrived Ukrainians intent on supporting and maintaining the life and interests of the local Ukrainian community in Huddersfield.

Contacts

John Kybaluk
Chairman

The Ukrainian Club , 7 Edgerton Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield HD1 5RA

Organisation last updated

  1. 18 April 2023

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Association of Ukrainians In Great Britain Ltd (Huddersfield Branch) image

Venue

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  1. The Ukrainian Club, 7, Edgerton Road, Edgerton, Huddersfield, HD1 5RA
    1. Wheelchair access needs to be arranged in advance - please contact the venue for further details. Wheelchair access - by arrangement
    2. There is a toilet which can be accessed by people with disabilities including wheelchair users. This means that it complies with the standards set out in Part M of the Building Regulations,'Access to and use of buildings. Fully accessible toilet

History

  2. A brief history of the Huddersfield Ukrainian community

    The establishment of the Huddersfield Ukrainian community
    Following an invitation from the British government to seek employment in sectors experiencing labour shortages caused by the Second World War, Ukrainians began to arrive in Huddersfield from 1947. The majority of these early ‘European Voluntary Workers’ had been interned in Displaced Persons camps since 1945, whilst a smaller number had been attached to farmsteads, largely in Germany and Austria. Over the next few years these new arrivals would be joined by over 50 veterans of the First Ukrainian Division who had been released from POW camps in Rimini and had been transferred to corresponding camps mainly in Scotland, Southern and Eastern England.
    Attracted by the prospect of employment in a myriad of textile mills and engineering firms scattered across Huddersfield, Ukrainians joined together to officially establish a community in late 1948. This was as a result of Oleksander Kovalevskyj and Antonin Semerko becoming trustees of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (Huddersfield Branch), with the latter being elected its first chairman in January, 1949. The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain had been originally founded in 1946 to promote and support the interests of Ukrainians living in the UK.

    Early days of the community
    Although the community began with only 41 members this number increased to 230 by the late 1960s. With no central hub to act as an assembly point the first members would meet for holy mass as St Joseph’s R C Church at Aspley, in private houses or would rent out venues such as the Lindley Liberal Club, Lockwood Mechanics Institute and, in particular, the Co-operative Fraternity Hall. At these locations committee meetings, commemorative concerts, communal celebrations and social dances were held on a regular basis.

    The first Ukrainian Club (AUGB) in Huddersfield
    As the community expanded in number and newly formed committees were elected to represent the Ukrainian Youth Association in Great Britain and the Association of Former Ukrainian Combatants in Great Britain (1950 and 1951 respectively) there was a need for the community to purchase its own suitable premises that could act as a cultural centre and social club. In 1955 a large house at 156 Trinity Street was acquired when the community raised £650 in donations. This club would be the focal point of Ukrainian life in the town for the next ten years.

    Life at the first (AUGB) Club
    Having secured a permanent base of its own, members of the club were quick to set up a Ukrainian school in 1958, followed by a branch of the Association of Ukrainian Women in 1959. Small scale dancing, singing, drama and instrumental groups could now be formed with an evergrowing number of Ukrainian children coming on board. Even large regional rallies of the Ukrainian Youth Association could be held across the road in Greenhead Park. However, larger concerts, celebrations and the annual Ukrainian Christmas ‘Sviat Vechir’ (Holy Supper) still had to be held at the Co-operative Fraternity Hall in the town centre.
    The second (present) Ukrainian Club (AUGB) in Huddersfield
    The first club at 156 Trinity Street had served its original purpose well but by the 1960s it was considered too small to cater for a rapidly growing membership, resulting in senior committee members searching for larger premises that could offer private grassed grounds and ample car parking space. Once again, with the help of community donations and loans amounting to £14500, a grand former mill owner’s villa that had previously belonged to the Armitage and Crowther families (local textile magnates) was acquired in 1965. Over the last fifty years this aesthetically pleasing grade 2 listed building has been renovated and developed to the point where it has (and continues to) regularly staged concerts, a variety of celebrations, memorials and special events for both members and the general public.

    Life at our present club (7 Edgerton Road, Huddersfield)
    Cultural, educational, political, sports and social activities have flourished at the club since it was opened. The Huddersfield Ukrainian Youth Orchestra, several choirs, singing and instrumental groups, folk dance ensembles, resident dance bands and sports teams have all been prominent in strengthening bonds and keeping the Ukrainian heritage alive, with members not just showcasing their talents internally but sharing them with the local and wider public. Grand concerts commemorating 50 years of the purchase of the club in 2015 and 70 years of the establishment of the Huddersfield Ukrainian Community in 2018 bear testimony to this.
    As for the best examples of events where true Ukrainian traditions, culture, colour and spectacle are firmly on display one has to look no further than the annual ‘Blessing of Easter Baskets’ and the Ukrainian Christmas ‘Sviat Vechir’ (Holy Supper). The latter, in particular, has proved very popular for over 70 years and continues to attract a capacity attendance, including visits from Kirklees Mayors, Councillors and Members of Parliament. Additionally, camaraderie, socialisation and sporting prowess can be witnessed at the annual National Ukrainian Volleyball Tournament held on the club’s lawns. This summer gathering has been drawing in Ukrainians from across the country for more than thirty years.

    Michael Drapan

Information not correct?

If any of this information is incorrect please email community.directory@kirklees.gov.uk with details including amendments if you have them. *Please note: you can't contact the above organisation on this e-mail address.*