Sowerby Bridge News

Citizens Recognised For Community Contribution

Two prominent Calderdale citizens received recognition for the work they do within their community. Leslie Godfrey and Haji Sultan were presented with Citizenship Awards by Calderdale Council at a meeting on Wednesday 28th April.

Mr Godfrey has been involved in the life of Sowerby Bridge for many years, trying to improve the local environment and the lives of local people. He is a former Chairman and still a member of Sowerby Bridge Road Safety Group; a member of Beechwood Tenants and Residents’ Association; Chair of Sowerby Bridge Neighbourhood Council; a member of the Pennine Tenants Federation and a member of the Calderdale and Sowerby Bridge Pensioners’ Federation.

Mr Godfrey was instrumental in forming the Foundry Street Community Centre and is still a member of the Committee, where is currently Vice Chair. He is also a member of Sowerby Bridge Forum and St Paul’s Church.

Between 1959 and 1974, Mr Godfrey served as a member of the former Sowerby Bridge District Council.

Mr Sultan has worked voluntarily for the Halifax community for the past 30 years.
He came to the UK in 1965 and after a short while in Accrington, came to live in Halifax. He started working for the Rhodes Street mosque, where he set up mosque classes.

A founder member of the Pakistan Welfare Association, Mr Sultan has helped many people who have settled in the UK with a variety of issues.

He decided that Halifax needed a bigger mosque and began to work tirelessly towards the building of the new mosque. Madni has since expanded and now has three more institutions within the surrounding area.

Madni mosque offers education to young people, teaching them how to respect everyone, become decent citizens and providing religious education.