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

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 anchor tenant for the Community building, as well as a number of grants towards the build and running costs.

Janet Depledge

Serving Trustee 2018 - 2019


Janet was chair of the new Denby Dale Library during this period.

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.

Pete Belsey

Serving Trustee / Management Committee 2013 - 2023


I am still actively involved with the Library but not currently a Trustee. Although I’m a comer-inner I’ve loved living in Denby Dale since 1998. After working as a business consultant for 25 years, I retired in 2013. When I retired I wanted to put something back into my community. Since then I’ve enjoyed being both a part of this team, as a Trustee and as a Governor and Chair at Denby Dale’s First and Nursery School.

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.