Mirfield farm shop recognised for 25 years of supporting local veterans

Tim Wood, a community stalwart who played a key role in organising Mirfield’s Remembrance parade and service over the years, presented Haigh’s Farm Shop, based on Far Common Road, with a special certificate to mark the business’ 25 years of helping local veterans and their families.

Having joined the Mirfield branch of the Royal British Legion over 30 years ago, Tim became well known in the community for his own support of veterans having set up the Crown Service Veterans Fund.

The initiative raised funds throughout the year to help the community’s veterans, ex-crown service personnel, as well as current members, and their families within the community.

And, since 2001, Haigh’s Farm Shop has helped Tim with donations, including for annual hampers for veterans at Christmas and Easter, and its services at the Remembrance parade.

Tim told the Reporter Series: “It is an important milestone in supporting veterans. Haighs have now been helping us out for 25 years with some decent prices for food as well as donating things free of charge.

“It is always nice to say thank you to those people who have helped with the veterans and Haigh’s are a tremendous community-supporting family. They do a lot of good things, like help out on Remembrance Sunday by providing road block vehicles.

“They never refuse to help. They have been very supportive these last 25 years and that is a considerable milestone in this day and age. They have not faltered or wavered in their help and I can only thank them on behalf of all the veterans.”

Charles Haigh, who runs the business with his family, said of the honour: “It’s grand. We help out because we can but we did not expect this.

“We have helped Tim for years with everything he has done. He has done a lot for everybody, especially the veterans and the Remembrance parade - it would not have started if it wasn’t for Tim.”