Retired Trustees

Several of our founding trustees have now retired from our team, in particular Jim Dodds and John Tarrant.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the completion of the new Denby Dale Community Library building would not have been achieved without their significant contributions.

Thank you!

PREVIOUS TRUSTEES / MEMBERS

Here’s a roll-call of our previous Trustees, whom have helped establish and develop the Denby Dale Community Library

Jim Dodds

Serving Trustee and Founder 2013 - 2019


Jim was the original founding member of the new Denby Dale Library.

He joined the army at 15 and spent 35 years in the service rising to the rank of Major. He served as a Conservative Councillor for the Denby Dale Ward and as Mayor of Kirklees in 2016, before retiring.

John Tarrant

Serving Trustee 2013 - 2019


After graduating from the University of Hull, John was awarded a PhD in 1966. He went on to join the University of East Anglia as a founding member of staff in the School of Environmental Sciences and became Dean of the School and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University.

In 1995 he was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield where he served through to retirement in 2006. John subsequently became Secretary General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities from 2007 to 2010. John has worked in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, China and India.

In retirement, John was instrumental in helping the group of original trustees to establish the Denby Dale community library.

Biddy Fisher

Serving Trustee 2013 - 2019


A former president of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, Biddy was one of the founding members of the new Denby Dale Library. Biddy was honoured with an OBE for her services to libraries by HRH Prince Charles.

Garry Wilkinson

Serving Trustee and Founder 2013 - 2019


Whilst serving as Director of Fundraising and marketing at Kirkwood Hospice, a role he held for 11 years, Garry was one of the founding members of the new Denby Dale Library. He helped secure the Hospice as an original tenant for the Community building, as well as a number of grants towards the build and running costs.

Richard Brook

Serving Trustee 2013 - 2021


Now retired, Richard worked for 30 years in education before running a small business with his wife. An active Parish Councillor, he is also involved with several community groups (Walkers are Welcome, Friends of Skelmanthorpe Textile Heritage Centre) and is vice-chair of EPIP..

Graham Turner

Serving Trustee 2013 - 2021


Graham is a valued trustee of Denby Dale Community Library and has been since the project started in 2013. He is also a trustee of Skelmanthorpe Library. He is a lifelong resident of Denby Dale ward and has been a proud Denby Dale Labour Party councillor and Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy.

Kath Kerr

Serving Trustee 2019 - 2023


I have lived in Denby Dale only for a short amount of time (4 years), but have lived in the surrounding area for many years. I have recently retired and have been involved in Library work in my early career and love libraries in all aspects. So I wanted to be engaged with the library as a trustee and volunteer to give something back from my working experience and become more involved in village life.

Linda Kitson

Serving Trustee / Management Committee 2013 - 2023


I have lived in Denby Dale for over 40 years. I have 2 sons who attended local schools. I retired from a career in education in 2004 and worked as a volunteer in a couple of charities. I joined the trustee team in September 2013 because I felt strongly that the village would benefit from a community building offering a library and other facilities. I work with a colleague Kate Tunstall supporting and organising volunteers.

Susan Daniels
MA

Serving Trustee 2017 - 2026


Susan is a Denby Dale resident. She worked in education for over forty years: as a school teacher in England and Nigeria, including time as a school librarian, then as a teacher trainer at Bretton Hall College and finally at Leeds University.

Dr Neil Denby FHEA

Serving Trustee 2017 - 2026


I have lived and worked locally for the last 40 years, my children having attended our excellent local schools. Growing up, they benefited enormously from our local libraries and I see no reason why future generations should not also do so. Although social media has replaced many things, I still believe that there is nothing better than a good book (physical or electronic) for improving knowledge, understanding and skills of communication. As a trustee, I hope I can in some small way ensure that this essential service continues.

Jonathan Milner

Serving Trustee 2017 - 2026


After working in and around the area for nearly 20 years as a Chartered Surveyor, I relocated to Denby Dale 10 years ago and opened a local estate agency in 2012. It’s now time to give back to my community. After becoming a member of the Denby Dale District Lions in 2014 I became a trustee of Denby Dale Community Library in early 2017. As a trustee, I hope to help the library achieve its potential as a valuable resource for our community, a resource that past generations have been fortunate to always have available.