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News 2019

 

December 2019

 

GREENHAM COMMON EXHIBITION AT THE TOWN HALL A new exhibition about Greenham Common will be launched at Hebden Bridge Town Hall on 6th January 2020. Focusing on the memories and memorabilia of women living locally in the Calder Valley, 'Our Greenham' features photos, leaflets, badges, interviews, song sheets, banners and even a camp kettle. More info

STUFF THE TURKEY was the title of the 84th episode of View from the Bridge, first published on the Hebweb over 20 years ago. John Morrison’s amusing ramblings about the festive season ring as true today as they did then. All episodes are still online, or you can order the books. More info

MURPHY'S LORE 51 - has a Nightmare on Downing Street, a pair of painters, a secret party, the author does a man’s look, there’s a 2CV in the snow, a cartoon comment on Christmas, a dream song, a butter up award and a plug for a book. Read more (16 Dec)

CALDER VALLEY STAYS TORY. Craig Whittaker increases his majority by 5000. See HebWeb’s election page. (13 Dec)

MURPHY'S LORE 50 includes a parcel puzzle, a hybrid Donald, Boris and Doris, two birthday parties, a new comedy club, Vox pops from the red wall, Mr Stott’s diaries and a reader writes about a snake pit! Read more (9 Dec)

PROTESTING AGAINST SCHOOL CUTS: On Saturday 7 December, heads, governors, parents were amongst those that took to the streets in the Calder Valley. They highlighted the "dire situation" of school funding by challenging the Government record on school funding. Read more

HELP MAKE IT A GREENER CHRISTMAS This festive season, Calderdale Council is reminding residents what can and can’t be recycled, to help reduce the amount of waste in general household bins. More info (6 Dec)

SLOW THE FLOW WIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARD - for Best New Charity. Read more, and how to get involved. (5 Dec)

MURPHY'S LORE 49 - This week, George, inspired by a visiting comet, coins a new term. He references a Flanders and Swan admirer, writes an appeal for our missing MP, feels sad about Pangolins, enters a Snake Pit, toasts Mooch and reports on a gig in a Methodist Church. He also celebrates two Australians who have brightened his days. Read more (2 Dec)

2015 BOXING DAY FLOOD - 4 YEARS ONA summary of the work which has been done over the past four years to repair the damage, and to make our area more resilient for when it happens again. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 52 - This week Murphy’s Lore gives a valedictory farewell to 2019, a town suffering from exitpollitis, memories of Christmas past, readers’ letters and a fashion faux pas, Mother Christmas and a dash of Dahl, Mildred Dredge and Engelbert Humperdink, a little red man and Clare Shaw. Nostradamus shares his 2020 vision. Read more (23 Dec)

HOUSE HISTORIES: HOW TO BEGIN A recent meeting of the Local History Society focused on house histories. Members of the society came together to share their own experiences. Barbara Atack, president of the society, outlined the array of sources available for those wanting to find out more of the history of a house. Read report (18 Dec)

A DAY IN THE MUSEUM - with frogs, firearms and flames. At a recent U3A meeting, Heather Davis told of the dangers that lurk in every object for the uninitiated, would-be museum curator. Read report (11 Dec)

JON RICHARDSON AND FRIENDS WERE AT THE PICTURE HOUSE to raise money for Slow The Flow which looks at natural flood prevention measures and solutions to slow the volume of water coming down the hillsides. More info (9 Dec)

DECEMBER’S LUNCHTIME LIVE this Saturday, 14 December at Hope Baptist Church from 1-4pm featuring Blanty, Ruth Neilson, Raintown Seers and Jamie Ferguson. More info

MORNING STAR ELECTION SPECIAL AND TRADES CLUB BENEFIT Morning Star Northern Reporter and Calder Valley resident, Pete Lazenby, has contacted the HebWeb with details of the Morning Star Election Special, and about a forthcoming fundraiser to be held at the Trades Club on 22 December. Read more

THE SAVING OF HARDCASTLE CRAGS Grant Lowe told the local History Society how, when he came to work for the National Trust at Hardcastle Crags, his curiosity was aroused by a memorial recording three attempts to flood the valley - in 1934, 1949 and 1969. More info (3 Dec)

November 2019

 

QUIET PLEASE - a plea to all cafes, pubs and shops for a peaceful and quiet festive season. And the latest additions to Accessible Hebden Bridge from the HBDAF. More info (28 Nov)

WINTER EXHIBITION AT ARTSMILL Over 40 artists and designers from around the Northern Counties are coming together and showcasing their work in The David Wright Gallery at Artsmill from 27 Nov, with a preview this Sunday, 24 Nov. More info

MEMORIES OF FOSTER MILL A large audience at the History Society welcomed Allan Stuttard to talk about his memories of his working life in the clothing industry, over forty-eight years. In the 1950s, the clothing industry in Hebden Bridge was booming, with more than 40 different manufacturing units. More info (19 Nov)

HOME, AN OUTWARD JOURNEY INWARD hosted by the Hebden Bridge Film Festival on Sat 23 Nov with Q&A with Sarah Outen, adventurer, bestselling author and motivational speaker who travelled the world by bike, kayak and rowing boat. More info

CALDER VALLEY CANDIDATES for the 12 Dec General Election were announced at 5pm today. They are Javed Bashir (Lib-Dem), Josh Fenton-Glynn (Lab), Richard Phillips (The Liberal Party) and Craig Whittaker (Cons). The Greens are not standing and have told the Hebweb they will be giving their support to Labour. Similarly, the Brexit Party are giving their support to the Tories. General Election in Calder Valley (14 Nov)

BREXIT AND THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY Public meeting on 26 November with with Natalie Bennett, former Leader of the Greens and Josh Fenton−Glynn, Labour Party candidate for General Election. See What's on section for more info.

THE LAST COWKEEPER IN GARSTON - A recent U3A meeting enjoyed an excellent afternoon of quiet rapture in Dave Joy’s energised, energising and fluent talk about his cowkeeping family from Garston. Read report (12 Nov)

HELP FUND REPAIRS TO DANGEROUS DODDNAZE PATH - A very well used footpath from Doddnaze to bus stops and Hebden Bridge Railway station is currently very dangerous and CROWS are crowdfunding the £500 needed for the repairs. More info (11 Nov)

WIN TICKETS TO SEE MY LIFE STORY at the Trades Club. Britpop stars My Life Story are coming to the Trades Club on Sat 23 Nov promoting their comeback album ‘Citizen World’, and the HebWeb has a pair of tickets to give away. Read more

Trains to and from Manchester still not running due to flooding at Walsden. Restricted train service to Leeds. (8 Nov, 10am)

GENERAL ELECTION INFO - registration, postal votes and proxy votes. Register to vote now. HebWeb coverage of the 2019 General Election is at caldervalley.org.uk along with info on general elections back to 1997. General election info

GRACE PETRIE ANNOUNCES SPECIAL FUNDRAISER FOR LABOUR: Protest singer and folk songwriter Grace Petrie has announced a special fundraiser at Hope Baptist Chapel this Saturday, 9 November. Read more (4 Nov)

HEPTON SINGERS CONCERT in Todmorden on Saturday 16th November at St Mary’s Church will raise funds for Overgate Hospice. The programme includes choral works by Vaughan Williams, Holst and others. More info (6 Nov)

HELP STOP AUTUMN LEAVES BLOCKING DRAINS: Autumn has well and truly landed and the Town Council is asking for your help by sweeping leaves away and recycling them in an appropriate manner. More info (4 Nov)

SEVENTY AND STILL GOING STRONG: The general meeting of the Hebden Bridge Local History Society gave President Barbara Atack and members of the society the opportunity to celebrate its 70th birthday by looking back over the years. And there was cake! More info (3 Nov)

CAN WE TRUST THE NUMBERS THE MEDIA GIVE US? That’s the title of the public lecture which Sir David Spiegelhalter, one of Britain’s most eminent statisticians, will be giving to Hebden Bridge Lit and Sci on Friday 8 November. More info (1 Nov)

SAVE THE 589 BUS SERVICE There's anger throughout the Upper Valley at the decision of First Bus to cut the 589 bus service from 8 December. All 9 Upper Valley Calderdale councillors have jointly written to the HebWeb, and an online petition is approaching 1000 signatures. Read more (23 Nov)

CHRISMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON, Thurs, 21 Nov, with entertainment from local schools, Bazzmatazz and Junior Band. Plus a Fireworks Display, and Mulled Wine and Mince Pies at The Town Hall. George's Square 5pm Onwards. (Fireworks: 5.45pm, Switch On: 6pm)

DODDNAZE PATH UPDATE: CROWS will be starting on the Doddnaze steps before Xmas as they have now received the £500 needed from their very generous supporters. Background (19 Nov)

MURPHY'S LORE 47 - This week Murphy’s Lore puts its best foot forward with tips on footwear, walks out on a megaphone mum, ponders on a Ken Loach film, a surprise present, a Basque poet, a limping spy and names for your back passage. Read more (18 Nov)

BREARLEY FIELDS WETLAND NATURE RESERVE will improve biodiversity and the river environment, boost flood attenuation and bring health and wellbeing benefits to people in Mytholmroyd and Luddendenfoot. Read more

THE GRIMM FOREST - Walk through the wooded valley of Hardcastle Crags and discover an indoor forest of storytelling trees at Gibson Mill, an exhibition of 11 tree sculptures inspired by the brothers Grimm stories. More info (12 Nov)

MURPHY'S LORE 46 - this week you can play Leonardo’s game, there’s psychosis and horror, a warning about The Dipper, why Munch wasn’t screaming, The Night of the Hunter, Dewey eyed about libraries, Lest We Forget, a cricket team remembered, waiting times under the Tories and an American handshake. Read more (11 Nov)

LITTLE THEATRE: BAZAAR AND RUMMAGE Sue Townsend’s heartfelt comedy Bazaar and Rummage, tells the story of a group of agoraphobic women, as they attempt to overcome their social anxieties, by running a jumble sale. From 25-30 Nov. More info.

NEAR FLOOD OF 7 NOVEMBER 2019

Burnley Road now open again at Callis Bridge. The river level is slowly receding - now down to one metre. (7 Nov, 8pm)

Water level peaking according to Government's Flood Info website, at 1.6m. The current projection is that the level will now start going down. (7 Nov, 3.30 pm)

Burnley Road closed at Callis Bridge Surface water is causing issues on roads and low-lying land throughout the area. (7 Nov, 1.15 pm)

High waters in Hebden Bridge on Thursday, 7 November 2019. Click photo to enlarge.

Calder Valley Flood Support on Facebook

Flood alert in place, with river levels projected to rise before receding Friday morning. (Boxing Day 2015 levels approached 4 metres.) More info (7 Nov, 1pm)

MURPHY'S LORE 45 - This week’s offering includes Father Dougal on Brexit, Century Plants, The Tod Book Festival, ageism, sexism and driving insurance, driving test blues, Letsbe Avenue, getting the bird from a reader and a comic strip retelling of the Boxing Day flood. Read more (4 Nov)

GRANTS FOR GREENS Town Council grants are available to support ‘Green’ community projects. The Council declared a Climate Emergency earlier this year and supports projects which protect the environment and reduce our carbon footprint. More info (1 Nov)

October 2019

 

CALDER VALLEY GREEN PARTY TO BACK LABOUR The Green Party in the Calder Valley today announces that it will be recommending a vote for the Labour Party Candidate, Josh Fenton Glynn, in the next general election. More info (30 Oct)

MURPHY'S LORE 44 - there’s a Thought for the Day, Le Grand Depart, Franglais and yoghurt, witches at Old Chamber, Grimm tales at Gibson Mill, a toast for Print Bureau, deaf workers and mill fires, cocker doodles, spacecraft in Todmorden and why pumpkins are agitated. Read more (28 Oct)

MYTHOLMROYD STATION PARTNERSHIP… SIMPLY OUTSTANDING That was the verdict of the National Association of Community Rail Partnerships, in awarding Mytholmroyd Station Partnership the 2019 Community Rail Award. More info and background

THE GREAT HEBDEN BRIDGE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL RETURNS! The Great Pumpkin Festival, brought to you by the Town Council, is back for its third year in Hebden Bridge on Saturday 26th October from 11am - 5pm. More info and timetable

NEW TRAINS - from Monday 21 October, Northern are now running the new Class 195 trains on the route from Chester to Leeds through Hebden Bridge.

MURPHY'S LORE 43 - includes Johnson pulls it off, Extinction Rebellion, hearing aids and radio, the hitchhiker, Roman soldiers and wine, Hebden Bridge’s pub crawlers and Mr Plod, no more Nigels, and a musical hell. Read more (21 Oct)

MAPPING ELMET – THE CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY ROOTS OF TED HUGHES: Ruth Crossley drew on powerful images of the landscape of the Upper Calder Valley when she spoke to the Hebden Bridge Local History Society at the first lecture of the new season. Read report. (17 Oct)

WIN TICKETS TO SEE THE RAILS - the group are on the road promoting their third album, Cancel The Sun, and HebWeb readers can win a pair of tickets for their gig at the Trades Club on Thursday 24 October. More info about the competition

HEBDEN BRIDGE PICTURE HOUSE VACANCY Hebden Royd Town Council is seeking to recruit proactive, efficient and experienced Front of House Manager, to work on an 0.5 FTE / 18.5 hour per week basis. Read more (11 Oct)

ELECTRIC CHARGING POINTS ON THEIR WAY. Calderdale will be installing an electric charging point in Hebden Bridge within five months, Cllr Scott Patient told the HebWeb. In the meantime, a new rapid charging point for electric vehicles has been installed in North Bridge car park, Halifax, and is free and ready to use. More info (9 Oct)

ARTS FESTIVAL POPS UP IN HEPTONSTALL MUSEUM on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October. Say what you’d like to see in your local museum. There'll be things like the talking chair, the knitted bike and a short Alice Longstaff film. More info

MURPHY'S LORE 41 - includes a successful sisterhood, meatballs and Ikea furniture, Heights Road and Pink Elephants, Ted Hughes and his uncle, the Piece Hall, a forgotten bread riot, Dickie Davies and a missing gold medal. Read more (7 Oct)

STANDING ROOM ONLY as Town Council questioned the Hebden Bridge Group Practice. Dr Nigel Taylor addressed widespread public concerns about patient safety and restricted access to appointments with Practice doctors. Read report (2 Oct)

WIN TICKETS FOR THE MAGIC GANG AT THE TRADES on Thurs 10 Oct. The group told the HebWeb, “The Trades is bit of a cult classic of a venue and we’ve heard brilliant things. We’ve never played Hebden Bridge, so it will be lovely to come along and see want all the fuss is about.” More info about the competition

COMMUNITY GRANTS AVAILABLE There is a small pot of grant funding available locally to help Community groups and projects. More info (1 Oct)

WADSWORTH PARISH COUNCIL CIVIC CHAIN IS MISSING! The civic chain of office belonging to Wadsworth Parish Council has been lost and a reward is offered for its safe eturn. More info (29 Oct)

CALLING ALL DISABLED PEOPLE Whatever your personal experience of disability, we at Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF) would like to hear from you. Read more (28 Oct)

ZERO WASTE MAP LAUNCHED Unable to find a good guide to zero waste shops, recycling and repairing, Rebecca Dearden of Blackshawhead has created both a website and an app to help others reduce and reuse. More info (27 Oct)

MYTHOLM CHIMNEY - STATEMENT FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL: While the council is not prepared to take responsibility for this historic landmark, they would be prepared to consider assisting any group which did take it over. Read more

INNOVATION TO BE HONOURED IN THIS YEAR'S PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW, at its 2019/20 publication launch in the Houses of Parliament next Weds. 30th October. Bridge Mill is home to a dozen businesses and, with its heat pumps and Archimedes Screw, is now carbon neutral. Read more

CHRIS WILLIAMSON MP at the Trades Club. After an earlier meeting was cancelled by the Town Hall (See HebWeb News), the Derby North MP addressed a packed meeting in Hebden Bridge and called for Parliament to be moved to the North, and for more democracy in the Labour Party. See Morning Star report. (20 Oct)

SLOW THE FLOW PROJECT MAPS LOCAL ACTIVITY TO REDUCE FLOODING RISK Many small‐scale interventions, taken together, can result in a significant amount of water being temporarily stored, or attenuated, during storm events, reducing peak flows. More info (18 Oct)

MURPHY'S LORE 42 - includes swift ways to lose weight, growth spurts in old age, a racist on a train, train surfing in Victorian times, death at Summit Tunnel, Jack’s Barbers, Robbie Burns and John Clare, Grace Poole, Mrs Rochester, Cary Grant’s mother and Topsy Legge. Read more (14 Oct)

WAINSGATE CONCERT SEASON: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY of the weekend of 19-20 October, with acclaimed poets Clare Shaw and Ian Humphreys, and the talented and slightly anarchic Deep Cabaret, pictured above. More info

LUNCHTIME LIVE - this Saturday, 12 October from 1-4pm at the Hope Baptist Church with Mila Tsoneva and Harry Priestley, Alyssium, The Meaning, Mina Budworth, and Birds and Bests. Read more

DOOR TO DOOR IN 81 DAYS - by Roger Gill. At the Book Case on Saturday 12 October from 2-5pm, talk to Roger about his epic walk, buy a signed copy of his book or even try on his 18 kilo rucksack! More info and photos (7 Oct)

CALDERDALE FLOOD ACTION PLAN: 3 YEARS OLD Created following the floods of Boxing Day 2015, the plan aims to reduce the impact of flooding and build resilience for future events. It was developed through workshops, drop-in sessions and meetings, and these have continued to develop and be shaped by the work as it has progressed. More info (4 Oct)

WUTHERING DEPTHS: the Brontë country graphic novel about floods and fracking, set in a fictionalised version of Hebden Bridge and featuring “industrialisation” of grouse-shooting. See Guardian review (2 Oct)

SAVING LIVES: THE WORK OF THE RNLI - in a recent talk, Roy Meakin recounted the origins and development of the Society, from the very first boat for rescuing the shipwrecked in 1777, to the modern, Shannon class lifeboats of today. Read report (2 Oct)

September 2019

 

MURPHY'S 40 - This week there’s a leaked letter to a Moggy, Boiler Man to the rescue, a Silver Anniversary, a Grimm exhibition, a double trouble oven, Pizzas and Fleabags, Danny La Rue and Prince Edward. Read more (30 Sept)

SALEM FIELD THEFT Stolen from White Rose Archers between 1pm Sunday 22 September and 9am Wednesday 25 September. This is the second of the pair of commemorative ornamental benches to be stolen from Hebden Bridge archery field. (30 Sept)

THE FUTURE OF HEBDEN BRIDGE’S ECONOMY a meeting on Monday 7th October 2019 organised by by Hebden Bridge Partnership and Hebden Bridge Community Association. More info

MURPHY'S LORE 39 includes tales from a towpath, a Hobbit with a baby, a Head in a dress, herons and humans, the naming of boats, a Dove Cottage garden, a dislocated jaw, a bucket list & some sketches of Lowry Read more (23 Sept)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: BEWARE OF TRAINS Next weekend sees another concert in the Wainsgate Chapel summer series when the Upper Calder Valley-based duo Beware of Trains takes to the stage on Sunday, 29 September. Read more.

CLIMATE STRIKE ACTION IN HEBDEN BRIDGE Friday, 20 September. Photo: Michael Prior. Click photo to enlarge. Photos and info

LITTLE THEATRE: THEFT is the theatre's next production, a comedy by Eric Chappell, author of Rising Damp. Directed by Ray Riches, Theft will be performed from 30 September until 5 October. More info. (18 Sept)

SING FOR FUN WITH CALDER VALLEY WOMEN SINGERS All women are welcome to join this friendly group, regardless of previous singing experience. Find your voice and discover something new in singing. More info (17 Sept)

A HUNDRED YEARS’ SERVICE TCQC O WADSWORTH PARISH COUNCIL. John Lynch elected in the mid 1970s and Mavis Ring and Geoff Hughes both elected in the 1980s retired in May, this year, with over a hundred years’ service between them. Read more (15 Sept)

THE BODY IN SPACE - Exhibition from Abi Lupton-Levy at the Gallery Lounge, ArtsMill until 29 Sept with a preview this Sunday, 15th. Abi is self taught with a background in yoga, meditation and dance and movement. More info

CALL FOR BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL on 26 October. Retail stands available at the festival hub in the Memorial Gardens. More info

MURPHY'S LORE 37 - includes a time traveller on a mission, some bum notes, nincompoops, patriotic swearing, inspirational and instructive mottoes, Once upon a time in Hebden Bridge, The Picture House, the past as a foreign country, why no deal’s a big deal and a reader’s reminiscence. Read more (9 Sept)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: STUART MCCALLUM - The 2019 concert series at Wainsgate Chapel continues at 7pm, Sunday 15 September with the return of Manchester-based acoustic jazz guitarist Stuart McCallum. Read more.

GENERAL ELECTION? To vote in any election in the UK you must be on the electoral register. Register to vote now. To see HebWeb coverage of the 2017 general election, and previous general elections, back to 1997, click here (5 Sept)

ARTSMILL EXHIBITION: COASTAL CONNECTIONS - A mixed media Exhibition showcasing the work of Jude Howe and Stan Pile. The Exhibition is about the East Yorkshire Coastline - from 8-29 Sept. More info

LIVES REMEMBERED: LIZ COOPER - Liz moved to Hebden Bridge in 1977 with the radical book and distribution coop, Publications Distribution Co-op at the Birchcliffe Centre. Liz was settled in Old Town until the late 1990s. Her obituary was in the Guardian recently. Read more. (2 Sept)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: ME AND DEBOE The Wainsgate summer concert series continues next Saturday, 5 October with the Chester-based acoustic duo ME and Deboe making a welcome return to Wainsgate Chapel. More info

DOCTORS' PRACTICE MANAGER TO FACE COUNCILon Wednesday evening, 25 September. Tony Martin will give a presentation and answer councillors' questions about the many issues which have been raised on the HebWeb over the past couple of years. Read more

COUNCIL CRACKING DOWN ON BAD BEHAVIOUR Enforcement Action Week will focus on issues which blight our communities, such as fly-tipping, dog owners not using leads, dangerous parking and speeding, litter, anti-social behaviour, animal welfare and food safety issues, and more. More info. (21 Sept)

CROQUET AT THE BOWLING CLUB, built 1898, which stopped being a bowling club around five years ago and is now owned by the Blue Pig. The pavillion has been renovated and vegetation cleared. Read more.

THE FUTURE OF THE BIRCHCLIFFE CENTRE Pennine Heritage has opened a series of consultation events to invite the local community to become involved in planning the Centre’s future use. And there is an Open Day this Saturday, 21 Sept. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 38 - includes children’s rhymes and games, where to find ‘Pencilvania’, balls against walls, ladles and jellyspoons, kippers and knickers, how to shoot Indians, the best chips in the valley, September Break and Dylan Thomas. Read more (16 Sept)

HEBDEN BRIDGE WI AWESOME AUTUMN RAG MARKET at the Town Hall, the Egg Factory and Northlight Studios on 19 October - a twice yearly event run by Hebden Bridge WI to raise funds for their Charity of the year - ‘Healthy Minds, Calderdale’ See map and more info

RE-OPENING OF THE ROCHDALE CANAL TOWPATH on Sat, 14 Sept. at 10.45. Important cycling and walking link to be officially re-opened following improvement works as part of a £2.9m package. Read more

HEBDEN BRIDGE CAMERA CLUB EXHIBITION WINNERS The Club’s annual exhibition was an extremely successful week as in previous years. Over 1200 visitors from near and far viewed the 66 prints on display at the Town Hall and almost 900 of those took part in the vote for the ‘People’s Choice’. Read more (11 Sept)

MYTHOLMROYD ARTS FESTIVAL dates announced. 19-20 October. More info in our What's on section.

LOVE OF CHOCOLATE, LOVE OF SCIENCE Diana Leitch MBE is a serious scientist, a chemist with not only a love of chocolate, but an appetite for promoting science and its role in society. Read U3A report. (6 Sept)

CHRONIC ILLNESS; OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN HEBDEN BRIDGEHebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF) welcomes two growing campaigns:  Chronic Illness Inclusion, and Not all Disabilities are Visible. More info (5 Sept)

MURPHY'S LORE 36 - there’s Plato, Old Etonians, Donald Trump and Shaggy Dog people, a scarecrow and a WPC - when WPC was PC - a missing Mrs, CROWS, CART, NASA, Dick Braine, an article on articles, Frank usurps Jack and Sue and Fu Fu. Read more (2 Sept)

August 2019

 

TRIO MEDIÆVAL AT HEPTONSTALL CHURCH - Thursday, 12 September a unique vocal quartet, accompanied by tenor John Potter, explores the Machaut mass with motets and chant from medieval Cyprus. More info (29 Aug)

MURPHY'S LORE 35 includes brains and how they deceive us, Turkish torture, tourist enquiries, cricket and testosterone, an Innovation ovation, a Pigg who took to her bed, a groom who wore white, the C word and an anniversary song. Read more (27 Aug)

PICTURE HOUSE HERITAGE OPEN DAY - Saturday, 14 September sees the annual open day at the Hebden Bridge Picture House, featuring history talks, poster sale and guided tours. More info (21 Aug)

HEBDEN BRIDGE CAMERA CLUB ANNUAL EXHIBITION is for the week from 24 August at the Town Hall. All visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favourites from approximately 60 framed prints. More info

GREEN MEP MAGID MAGID TO VISIT HEBDEN BRIDGE Around 2.30pm on Friday, 16 August, Magid will travel to Hebden Bridge where he will speak to people in the square before heading off to Halifax. Read more.

PETERLOO: ACTRESS MAXINE PEAKE TO UNVEIL POLITICAL BANNER created by a Calder Valley artist Joan Heath who lives in Todmorden and is a former resident of Hebden Bridge. The banner unveiling is part of a series of events remembering the massacre at Peterloo, 200 years ago this week. Read more (11 Aug)

LITTLE THEATRE: BAZAAR AND RUMMAGE AUDITION Director, Gil Burns, will be holding an audition for the Little Theatre’s November play, Bazaar and Rummage, by Sue Townsend, on Sat 7 September, 7pm, at the Theatre. More info. (11 Aug)

PAUL BARKER'S OBITUARY in The Guardian. Paul Barker was a paper boy at Jones’ Newsagents, went on to edit New Society from 1968-86 and wrote the book about Hebden Bridge: A Sense of Belonging. See also: HebWeb report of his book launch in April 2012. (6 Aug)

MURPHY'S LORE 32 - This week, George considers whether childbirth is tougher for men, are men tougher than women, how 13 is lucky for some, is it good to eat Huimans, fires in derelict mills, what Georgian surgeons got up to, what Georgian schoolgirls got up to, the use of artificial phalluses in posh places, and imagines life as a Carry on Film. Plus readers write from far and nearer. Read more (5 Aug)

CALDERDALE BREXIT UPDATE Josh Fenton-Glynn, one of Hebden Bridge's 3 Calderdale councillors, gives a personal report of the Council's Brexit discussions and how leaving Europe will affect Calderdale. Read more. (31 Aug)

LOCAL HISTORY TALKS - from September. Details now on the HebWeb What's on section. Talks include Ted Hughes childhood, Foster Mill, saving Hardcastle Crags, Singing and Socialism, our woodland heritage, common land in Northern England and more. (27 Aug)

WUTHERING BYTES TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL - back for a 6th year, the festival is returning to Hebden Bridge. From 30 August, the 10 day festival will offer a series of inspiring talks, demos and workshops for everyone from hobbyists to hardcore techies.  Read more (22 Aug)

MURPHY'S LORE 34 - A Great Canal Journey remembered, when to let go of loved ones, writing radio plays, a blind piano tutor, an escape to Playtopia, comics aren’t what they used to be, Murray Halberg’s underpants and an appearance from Little Percy. Read more (19 Aug)

MORE COMEDY AT THE LITTLE THEATRE - on 8 Sept, featuring a brilliant impressionist in Danny Posthill, renowned for his hilarious take-offs. And Australian Mick Neven who loves British audiences, because he feels they are desperate for a laugh as a result of being so beaten down by Brexit. More info

BRADFORD WARRIORS – SUFFRAGETTES AT LARGE The centenary-plus-one of women being given the right to vote in Britain. Or, as Helen Broadhead reminded U3A, a right for some women – those who were 30 or older and only if they, or their husbands, were ratepayers. Read report. (13 Aug)

MURPHY'S LORE 33 - the strange coincidence of Calder Valley residents falling out of bed, with possible connections to a breakaway fascist enclave, Francis Bacon at the barber’s, long lost families, discovering relations at Morrisons, doppelgängers, Uncle Herbert’s Machine and why Uncle Eric was given away. Read more (12 Aug)

KEIGHLEY ROAD CLOSURES planned during September and beyond as part of a programme to increase safety on one of the top 50 of ‘A’ roads in England where the risk of road traffic incidents resulting in death or serious injury is the highest. Read more (9 Aug)

YORKSHIRE POST ON HEBDEN BRIDGE "A Yorkshire town with an independent streak… Hebden is a striking town in an even more striking location." (5 Aug)

WALKLEYS CLOGS BUILDING ON FIRE - the road between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd is now likely to remain closed until Saturday, according to Calderdale. The Fire Service say the fire is under control but are asking people to stay away from the area. See BBC report ( Aug, updated 10pm)

July 2019

 

COMMUNITIES PULL TOGETHER DURING WEEKEND FLOODING: Local residents, flood wardens, Council teams, the Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Water were amongst those braving the bad weather on Sunday and working throughout the night to help flood-affected communities. Read more (30 July)

FIRE AND BARBECUES BANNED ON MOORS With the temperature in Hebden Bridge reaching 33C yesterday, action to reduce the risk of moorland fires continues in Calderdale, with new signs going up on moors across the borough to warn people that using barbecues and lighting fires is banned. Read more (26 July)

INVASION BY THE RED HATTERS Inspired by Jenny Joseph's poem Warning, "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple. With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me," the Red Hatters will be invading Hebden Bridge on 1 Aug. Read more

VIEW FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBER Josh Fenton-Glynn, one of Hebden Bridge's 3 Calderdale councillors, gives a personal account of Wednesday's council meeting Read the report (19 July)

MYTHOLMROYD ARTS FESTIVAL: CALLING ALL ARTISTS The Festival, now in its fifth year, is inviting artists to submit work to the Mytholmroyd Open Exhibition which will be at St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd on 19-20 October 2019. More info. (18 July)

MURPHY'S LORE 29 - This week George offers reflections on Memory, Steam Punk, Job Interviews, The Forgotten War, Piano Sing-alongs, Walls with ears, The Moorcock, a lass in a blue dress and a man with black eyes, darts playing, hospices and Canadian Pond Weed. Read more (16 July)

MEET THE RANGER TEAM AT HARDCASTLE CRAGS This July, the countryside team will be sharing the secrets of how they look after this picturesque woodland on the edge of Hebden Bridge. More info (15 July)

HEBDEN BRIDGE FARMER CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY - A farmer from Hebden Bridge has been banned from keeping livestock for seven years, sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay over £36,000 costs. Read more. (12 July)

THE LOST KINGDOM OF ELMET Dave Weldrake told a recent meeting of the U3A about the lost kingdom of the ‘Dark Ages’, that period after the Romans and before the Angles and the Saxons - was Hebden Bridge part of Elmet? Read report.

MURPHY'S LORE 28 - from Shibden Hall, to the Red and Green Club via Gentleman Jack, Ann Walker and John Lister to a disappearing MP, a defence of light verse, a guitarist reciting Hilaire Belloc, a nod to local poet, a surreal encounter and a reflection on practical jokes. Read more (9 July)

COMMUNITY GREENING OF VICTORIA ROAD: - Local residents have improved their environment by collective effort and with assistance from business and local councils. What was an eyesore is now beginning to green again. Read more (3 July)

Controversial Labour MP to talk at Town Hall. Calderdale Trades Council have invited Chris Williamson, the twice suspended Labour MP for Derby, to talk about the next Labour Government. See What's On for 3 August.

MURPHY'S LORE - No 27 includes Scarf Woman, spelling mistakes, Indian head massages, the biter bit, a secret formula for failing at football, two Michael Jacksons, a herd of bulls, The Handmade Parade, an elusive bobber and Mrs Pomfret’s pommes frites. Read more (2 July)

TOWN HALL BOOKING CANCELLED - Controversial, suspended Labour MP Chris Williamson was due to speak at the Hebden Bridge Town Hall this Saturday. Read the statement from the Trustees. (31 July)

MURPHY'S LORE 31 - This week, Murphy’s Lore includes, a cat in a bin, wild flowers blooming, a mental brassiere, home made bikinis, Murphy the Murderer, treadmills and whipping posts, home Pride, Spiked magazine and fake news, a protest song and a reader reveals all. Read more (30 July)

REMEMBERING THE HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI NUCLEAR MASSACRES On Sunday 4th August, peace activists will gather on the wavy steps at the Packhorse Bridge in Hebden Bridge to remember all those who perished when nuclear bombs were dropped in 1945. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 30 - This week George offers reflections on a wet weekend in Wales, this sporting wife, Frantic Friday, advice to a duke, a Thai toast, hidden perils on Britain's beaches, a jam and a joke, a dad in disguise and rules for everything. Read more (23 July)

FREE PUBLIC TOILETS FROM 1 AUGUST This year Calderdale Council will mark Yorkshire Day by making all of its public toilets free of charge, initially for a trial period. So from Thursday 1 August, there’ll be no cost if you need to spend a penny. More info (19 July)

HAPPY VALLEY PRIDE FESTIVAL: 22-28 JULY - the eclectic, alternative and inclusive, week-long festival for everyone, has announced the full line up for 2019. The celebration of LGBT+ life in Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas. A Festival for everyone. More info.

MYTHOLMROYD FLOOD WORKS - MORE BURNLEY ROAD DIVERSIONS. Diversion during August through Mytholmroyd Fire Station forecourt. Scheme won't now be completed before summer 2020. More info (15 July)

SUCCESSFUL WORKERS' CO-OP OFFERS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY to help it expand, with up to 5% interest in return for loans. During a time Hebden Bridge has seen many shops closing, Valley Organics has had six years of steady growth. More info (15 July)

MYTHOLMROYD STATION LATEST NEWS on the renovation of the station building, increase in footfall and the number of trains, car park, gardening and how to get involved. More info. (11 July)

FLOOD STORAGE CONTAINER SLOWS THE FLOW WITH GREEN ROOF - Work has been completed on a brand new Green Roof on the top of the Mytholmroyd Flood Warden Storage Container at The Shoulder of Mutton Pub on New Road. Read more (10 July)

GRANT FUNDING BRINGS WARMTH AND QUIET TO HOPE CHAPEL A grant from Community Foundation for Calderdale has enabled Hope Baptist Church in Hebden Bridge to replace windows that had been installed when the building was modernised in the 1950s. More info (8 July)

"Britain at its best: Hebden Bridge where Ed Sheeran was born is a true northern star,” declares Mail Online article. Apparently, our town is  'just the right side of gentrified’. Read article (7 July)

HEPTONSTALL FESTIVAL this Saturday, 6 July. Various attractions including the Fell race, live music, crafts, open studios and entertainment throughout the day. A wide range of food and drink stalls to suit all tastes. More info

June 2019

 

MURPHY'S LORE - No 26 includes Treesponsibility & rewilding, why are skinny models fierce and big models bouncy & bubbly, further cogitations on underpants, Yorkshire dialect, Mr Hartley, 4 Faber poets, a new cafe & Fancy Man Stan.   Read more (25 June)

ONCE UPON A TIME is the theme of the twelfth annual Handmade Parade in Hebden Bridge. Strange and marvellous creatures will be dancing through the streets on Sunday. More info and links to photos of the previous 11 Parades.

COUNCIL REVIEWS WEEDKILLER USE and is exploring a range of alternative options, including manual techniques, to keep weeds at bay and which are kinder to the environment than is glysophate. Read more. (23 June)

MORE TREE COVER STILL NEEDED IN HEBDEN BRIDGE, say Friends of the Earth. The organisation claims trees can act as effective flood defences, helping to reduce peak water levels by as much as a quarter. See ITV report. (19 June)

VOLUNTEER FOR THE HANDMADE PARADE! - Would you like to get more involved in the Parade this year? Come and join in the fun, make friends, cut stuff up, paint stuff, build stuff, collect stuff and more. More info (15 June)

HEBDEN BRIDGE TO UNVEIL BLUE PLAQUES to its co-operative history. Hebden Bridge will be remembering the story of one of the country’s most famous worker-run co-operatives when blue plaques are unveiled in the town centre on International Co-operatives Day, Saturday 6 July. More info

MURPHY'S LORE - No 24 includes, touring in the deep south, Larkin and Morris, B&B food, the art of complaining, treacle pudding and an early bird, storytelling in primary schools, Christine McMahon, a hidden child revealed and ways of executing moles. Plus readers write. Read more (11 June)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: MERAKI DUO - Wainsgate Chapel’s final music concert before the summer recess takes place on Sat 15 June, and features Latin American music plus works by Bartok, Messaien and Piazzolla performed by highly acclaimed Meraki Duo. Read more (10 June)

GREEN PARTY THANKS ITS VOTERS Finn Jensen, Chair of Calderdale Green Party thanks local voters for helping to elect a Green Party MEP in Yorkshire - Magid Magid. Read letter. (7 June)

40 YEARS OF TWINNING BETWEEN HEBDEN ROYD AND ST POL-SUR-TERNOISE At 6am on Thursday 30th May, a happy group of travellers boarded a coach in Hebden Bridge to travel to our twin town St Pol-sur-Ternoise (France) to celebrate 40 years of twinning. Read more (5 June)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: BIRDS AND BEASTS The concert series continues on Sat 8 June with an early evening performance by acoustic duo Birds and Beasts, with support from Slow Town Clock. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 23 - This week the topics are: The Trades Club in the 1980s, a gentle stroll through bluebell woods, John the Barber, a dizzy turn and taking care with medicine, my brother Peter gets me out of a tight spot, further reflections on the Stefan Kiszko case and The Yorkshire Don Juan visits Liverpool. Read more (4 June)

SONGS AND CAKES AS GARDENERS OPEN THEIR GATES Georgian chants, yodelling, beautiful flowers and cakes are on offer as gardens across Hebden Bridge throw open their gates showing their horticultural gems as part of the Open Gardens Weekend of 6-7 July. More info

HEBDEN BRIDGE GROUP PRACTICE SURVEY: Patients are invited to complete a questionnaire about their experience of the Practice. This is being administered by the Patient Participation Group. Paper copies are available at the three surgeries (Valley Road, Grange Dene and Luddenden) or it can be completed online here. And see HebWeb Forum thread (26 June)

M.E. SUPPORT GROUP IN HEBDEN BRIDGE - Hebden Bridge M.E. Support Group held their first awareness event on June 14th, after recently getting together as a Facebook group, and as part of a wellness and creativity event at the Town Hall arranged by the Arts Festival. Read more (19 June)

MURPHY'S LORE - No 25 includes the EU in Mytholmroyd, Burnley Road school, what Rodin’s Thinker was thinking, spelling tests and physical chastisement, Joan and her mobile phone, house husbandry and sell by dates, Sir Bernard Ingham and Boris Johnson.  Read more (18 June)

ARTS FESTIVAL: STREET SUNDAY IS BACK Some of the country’s best street performers are heading to Hebden Bridge as part of the Street Sunday on Sunday 23 June as the crazy crew join the cream of local talent on impromptu stages across the town. More info and photos.

GREEN SCREEN FOR BURNLEY ROAD ACADEMY To help absorb harmful pollutants, Calderdale Council has installed a plant-based perimeter fence around the school playground as part of its plans to tackle air pollution. More info (12 June)

CALDERDALE'S CLEAN AIR DAY is on Thursday 20 June. At the start of 2019, Calderdale Council declared a climate emergency. It is stepping up its action to improve air quality, cut carbon and protect our distinctive environment. More info

LITTLE THEATRE: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION Not long to go now till the Jury brings in its verdict and tension is mounting in court! From 16 June at the Little Theatre. Will Leonard Vole be found guilty of the wilful murder of Emily French? More info. (9 June)

TRISTRAM SHANDY Patrick Wildgust told a recent meeting of the U3A about Laurence Sterne and Sterne’s novel, "or perhaps anti-novel", Tristram Shandy. Read report. (7 June)

ARTS FESTIVAL EXPLORES THE DIGITAL WORLD - Older and Wider podcasters Jenny Eclair and Judith Holder, BAFTA winning journalist Kirsty Wark and Kraftwerk legend Wolfgang Flur will among the acts helping Hebden Bridge Arts Festival celebrate the town’s contribution to the digital revolution. Read more (5 June)

CALL FOR WEED KILLER BAN Liberal Democrat councillors are pushing the Council to ban the use of glyphosate-based weed killers because of safety concerns. Read more (3 June)

HANDMADE PARADE WORKSHOPS START THIS WEEKEND Organisers invite you on an adventure, to meet strange and magical creatures, in the deep dark forests of ancient Europe. The adventure starts at the Handmade Parade open workshops which begin on Saturday 8 June. More info, photos and links (3 June)

May 2019

 

WANTED - SLOW THE FLOW EVENTS OFFICER: to manage forthcoming events and to provide support to the management team to promote and support Natural Flood Management. (31 May)

HEPTON SINGERS ARE RECRUITING If you enjoy singing and are interested in joining, please come along to one of their open rehearsals on Tuesday evenings in June. Read more (29 May)

MURPHY'S LORE 22: This week the topics are memories of teenage hitch hiking, Keith Waterhouse, the Lesley Molseed murder trials, the Blackpool Grand National ride, a canal boat gathering and a posh party, skinny dipping and fishing for nymphs. Read more (27 May)

WADSWORTH COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR HELP Wadsworth Parish Council might be rural but in fact it's one of the largest parishes in England. Wadsworth Parish Council is looking to co-opt an additional five members. Read more (23 May)

IN MURPHY'S LORE 21, there’s Sunday runs and a White Blossom Tour, a Hippy Terrace, precognition and happy coincidence, Ivy Benson’s All Girl Band and an over-sized jacket, doctors who use jargon as secret codes and a medic's advice on avoiding bowel cancer. Read more (21 May)

MEP GREEN CANDIDATE TO VISIT BLACKSHAW HEAD Magid Magid, Lord Mayor of Sheffield and the Green Party's MEP candidate for Yorkshire will be visiting Blackshaw Head on Tues. 21 May, calling in at Pennine Community Power’s wind turbine, the PV solar panels at Colden School and the community orchard. Read more (19 May)

VINTAGE CAR WEEKEND - VOTE FOR A BOND FILM AND CAR The Picture House will once again run the Rotary Club's great Car Film competition where the public get to vote on their favourite. This year’s theme is James Bond classic cars. Read more

WIN TICKETS TO SEE POET TONY WALSH AT THE TRADES When performance poet Tony Walsh stood up to perform his poem This Is The Place in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing that claimed 23 lives, he had no idea of the impact it would have. More info (15 May)

HEBDEN BRIDGE RESIDENT STANDS FOR ELECTION TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - Cllr James Baker is one of the candidates standing for election to the European Parliament next Thursday 23rd May, standing on the Lib-Dem's 'Bollocks to Brexit' Manifesto. Read more (15 May)

HANDMADE PARADE THEME ANNOUNCED: on 30 June, Hebden Bridge will be taken over by the 12th Handmade Parade with the theme of Once upon a time with stories set in the ancient European forests, folklore, myth, ritual and design. More info, photos and links (9 May)

HAPPY VALLEY PRIDE 2019 ANNOUNCES MAIN HEADLINERS - the Festival has grown rapidly in size - last year attracting over 3,000 across 15 events and 7 days. This year, the Festival will run from 22 -28 July and will maintain its reputation for creating a distinctive, LGBT+ arts-focused programme. More info. (8 May)

MURPHY'S LORE 19 - In the latest of George Murphy’s columns for the HebWeb there's strange coincidences and precognition, the Yorkshire Ripper documentary, a reader’s first kiss, folk music folk, name dropping, The Butter Up Award and Mel Gibson and the librarian. Read more (7 May)

TAKE BACK THE LAND - CAMP AND OCCUPATION The Land Justice Network is organising Take Back The Land: a camp and occupation near Hebden Bridge. Around Walshaw Moor. All welcome: they plan to protest, hold workshops, sing songs, and take action to call for land reform. More info (4 May)

MUSIC VIDEO MADE IN HEBDEN BRIDGE: a short film by Lyla Rose featuring US group Spud Cannon, using local countryside and The Picture House. See short film. (1 May)

THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S COOL LIST FOR 2019 has West Yorkshire at number 7. The Calder Valley is highlighted - "with hippyish Hebden Bridge as its epicentre" - as a "burgeoning hub for restaurants and independent shops." (29 May)

HISTORIC NARROW BOAT CLUB GATHERING More than thirty boats belonging to members of the Historic Narrow Boat Club (HNBC), boatmen and their families, came to Hebden Bridge from all over the country at the Bank Holiday weekend. Read more. (28 May)

LITTLE THEATRE INVITES YOU TO TREAD THE BOARDS. Director, Ray Riches, is looking for 3 men and 2 women to take parts in Theft, the next production, as two suburban couples and the resourceful house burglar, Spriggs. More info (24 May)

DESMOND TUTU’S SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHARITY launches Exhibition. On Saturday 8th June, the Hebden Bridge based charity Bishop Simeon Trust will launch the 'IzwiLethu: Our Voice' exhibition at Artsmill on Linden Road. Read more (23 May)

DOROTHY SUTCLIFFE'S COMMUNITY SPIRIT REWARDED in Blackshaw Head where she has been a councillor since 1979, when too few councillors stood for election that year, and she volunteered to be co-opted. Read more (20 May)

GENTLEMAN JACK:
BBC1 9pm, Sunday 19 May
The first episodes of Gentleman Jack, the new drama from Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright, are based upon a book written about Anne Lister by local writer, Jill Liddington and published by Hebden Bridge publishers, Pennine Pens. More info, links and trailers (19 May)

TOWN COUNCIL VOTES TO SUPPORT A BAN ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Hebden Royd becomes only the third UK Council to support the ICAN Cities Appeal and the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Read more. (17 May)

INTRODUCTION TO EXTINCTION REBELLION Talk and Meeting - Wednesday 22nd May, 7pm at the Town Hall. Local Extinction Rebellion organisers would like to welcome more people to the Rebellion and support them to make sense of, and take action on, the climate crisis and mass extinction. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 20 - topics this week include caviar and chihuahua, rebel songs and words, Cyril Smith MP, poorly designed underpants, blaming parents for poorly children, the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival, Hugh Massingberd, a Scouser's guide to tawkin' Yorkshire and why buskers should run away! Read more (14 May)

LOCAL HEALTHCARE FACES FURTHER THREATS as NHS campaign group urges GPs to refuse contract that cuts patients’ access. Read more. (9 May)

MORE JOB VACANCIES AT THE TOWN HALL
A permanent position for a Catering Assistant, along with a casual Catering Assistant and Bar Assistants. For information about the positions and details for how to apply please click here. (7 May)

WAINSGATE CONCERT: ARON HARPER-ROBINSON The 2019 Wainsgate Chapel concert series commences on Saturday May 18 with a performance by the outstanding Hebden Bridge-based singer /songwriter Aron Harper-Robinson. Read more

IN CONVERSATION WITH MARTYN WARE One of the founders of British synthpop Martyn Ware is coming to the Trades Club to talk about his trailblazing career in The Human League and Heaven 17. Read more. (3 May)

April 2019

 

MURPHY'S LORE 18  -   Japanese combovers, strange greetings, Titsalina Bumsquash, keeping up to scratch in the bedroom, May Day memories, Romeo and Juliet and The Tod Triangle feature this week, in the latest of George Murphy’s columns for the HebWeb. Read more (24 April)

HEPTON SINGERS CONCERT celebrates European choral music. This year’s concert maintains the usual challenging programming of early music and contemporary choral works. Read more. (27 April)

HEBDEN BRIDGE BURLESQUE FESTIVAL - from 2-5 May, has revealed that this year’s event has broken Box Office records, with over 1000 tickets sold so far for this year’s events. Read more about the Festival (25 April)

MURPHY'S LORE 17 - This week, George Murphy tells of apocryphal tales, Uncle Billy and a tape worm, kids' stories, a soldier's cup of tea, fowl play, the Pace Egg play, more true tales and the Ballad of Acre Mill. Read more (24 April)

MURPHY'S LORE 16 - This week, George Murphy tells tales of young and old, Ginger Girl, not walking on water, forgetting words and the perils of saying dewberry, a deadly legume, Park Life Cafe, Betty Rosen, first memories of drawing and strange places to put grass. Read more (15 April)

BANKING IN HEBDEN BRIDGE 'The only banks left in Hebden Bridge are grass ones down by the river'. See this weekend's article on the bankless town of Hebden Bridge in This is Money (14 April)

WARSTEIN AND ST POL CELEBRATE 55 YEARS OF TWINNING: A delegation from the Town Council and the Twinning Society (HBTS) visited our twin towns. Warstein (Germany) and St Pol-sur-Ternoise (France), to celebrate 55 years of twinning,last weekend in Warstein. Read more (12 April)

CALLING ALL GARDENERS Hebden Bridge Arts Festival is issuing an appeal for gardeners to join their Open Gardens weekend in July. Read more. (9 April)

MURPHY'S LORE 15 - This week’s features include Demon Dog Woman, private names for private parts, H is for Heather, witness protection, the dangers of misusing embrocations, Secret Gardens and vasectomy after care. Read more (8 April)

SALTAIRE AND SALT’S MILL after the death of Titus Salt was the topic of a recent U3A meeting with speaker, Maria Glot, Saltaire’s Historical Storyteller, including ‘The Curse of Milner Field’. Read report. (7 April)

TOWN COUNCIL ELECTIONS: There are 27 candidates for 18 seats and so far the HebWeb has profiles and photos for 7 of these candidates. More info

CALDERDALE ELECTIONS NOMINATIONS closed at 4pm today and the HebWeb can now publish the list of candidates for Calder and Luddendenfoot wards - Lab, Lib-Dem, Con and Green are contesting both local wards. Details here. (3 April)

ME, YOU & GEORGE CLOONEY Nellie and Nigel become friends at Halifax Square Chapel. Playwrights rarely choose social care as a subject but new play Me, You & George Clooney focuses on the strong bond between Nellie and her care worker Nigel. Read more (3 April)

With attendance over 2000 and a Picture House full house for Wild Rose, THE FIRST EVER HEBDEN BRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL took place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March and was an overwhelming success. It was announced at the end of the Festival that it will return next year. Read report (1 April)

2 MAY LOCAL ELECTIONS: voters in our area will be able to choose one Calderdale councillor for the Calder Ward which covers Hebden Bridge, and one for the Luddendenfoot Ward which covers Mytholmroyd - and this year, all 18 councillors of Hebden Royd Town Council. Nominations close 4pm, 3 April.

HEBDEN BRIDGE COHOUSING INTEREST DAY Calder Valley Cohousing group are holding a one day event on cohousing on Saturday May 4th at the Birchcliffe Centre, Hebden Bridge. More info

CROWN STREET JEWELLERS TO CLOSE Owners of the family run jewellers, Riverstones Fine Jewellery on Crown Street have announced that they intend to close the store. Read more (29 April)

CALLING CRICKETERS Hebden Bridge Cricket Club's 2019 season is just getting under way. We play friendly matches most weekends throughout the summer at Salem and away and rate enthusiasm over skill. Contact club captain Richard Tranmer 07808 092101 or email (26 April)

KATE RADFORD PRESENTS DROUGHT The Hebden Bridge based performance artist is at Hope Baptist Church on 17 May before taking her show on to California. More info and links (23 April)

HEBDEN BRIDGE FOLK ROOTS FESTIVAL takes place over the weekend of 10-12 May. Now in its fifth year, the Festival will feature a wonderful mix of artists, dancers, storytellers and musicians. For the latest news about who, when and where, click here. (22 April)

TOWN COUNCIL TO UNVEIL WW1 PLAQUES in the Memorial Gardens in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd on 8 May.

CALDERDALE JOINS INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE REBELLION - People from Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Halifax will be traveling down to London this week to join with thousands of others from across the UK in acts of mass peaceful civil disobedience. Read more

JOHN HEGLEY’S EASTER OFFER Poet John Hegley is back in Calder Valley thanks to Hebden Bridge Arts Festival with a gig at the Town Hall on Wednesday, 8 May. More info

ARTSMILL EXHIBITION - PAINTINGS BY JANE WALKER Todmorden artist Jane Walker started painting in her early 50s, having had no previous art experience. Her Exhibition runs from 17 April with a preview this Sunday. More info

FREE LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE Launches in Hebden Bridge. Solicitors Wilkinson Woodward have launched new drop-in sessions, from 1pm to 4pm on the last Friday of every month at Welcome Independent Living's Community Hub in Market Street. More info (9 April)

DUCK RACE Tickets will be available in the Square each weekend in April, until Easter Monday, the day of the event. The Rotary Club has told the HebWeb of some of the causes supported with the money raised. Read more (7 April)

BIG NAMES SIGN UP FOR HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED PIANO FESTIVAL Hebden Bridge packs a surprisingly large cultural punch. On the music front, the Piano Festival (26-28 April) leads the way with an annual action-packed celebration of the piano and piano music in all its varied forms. Read more (5 April)

LIFE AND DEATH IN HEBDEN BRIDGE 1851- 1901 For those searching for clues about their family history, census returns are now available to search on-line. The records can give a picture of a community. Anne Mealia, a genealogist and historical researcher, shared the results of her analysis of records for Hebden Bridge from 1851 to 1901. with the Local History Society. Read more Wednesday, 3 April 2019

PYRENEES by Alan David Greig is the next production at the Little Theatre (15-20 April). A man is found lying in the snow at the foot of the Pyrenees. He remembers nothing, but believes he is British. Jenny Gore directs a talented cast. More info (3 April)

MURPHY'S LORE 14 - This week’s features include kingfishers and naturalists, industrial heritage, stonemasons, impressive butterflies, what to stir your tea with, gap years and the history of asylums, pheasant plucking and battery farming. (1 April)

March 2019

 

STATION LIFTS NOT WORKING: Network Rail is awaiting a part and it is hoped the lifts will be working again within a few days. Read more (31 March)

Liberal Democrat member and candidate suspended after "inappropriate posts and images on his Facebook profile." Timothy Weston Foulds has also agreed to withdraw his Lib-Dem canditure for election to Hebden Royd Town Council. Read more (29 March)

MURPHY'S LORE 13 - This week George Murphy considers: floods, sex surveys, Date Nights, Lorraine Kelly, rats and insurance men, Frank Sidebottom and A Fairy Tale of Hebden Bridge. Read now. (26 March)

HEBDEN BRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND Over the next three days, 22-24 March, the Festival will showcase 12 exciting films, a film competition, Q+A's with the festival's patron Maxine Peake and Jessica Hynes who will talk about her new film. More info

PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY FROM FLOODING Residents and businesses concerned about the heavy rainfall brought by Storm Hannah are being advised to take action now to prepare their property for any future incidents. More info (21 March)

MURPHY'S LORE 12 - This week from George Murphy, a politics special: a child’s view of politics; election strategists; a Guardian man is trapped; Capability for Work tests; Peterloo and all that; Jo Cox; next week’s headlines and politicians in corn fields. Read now. (19 March)

PENNINE HERITAGE SECURES NATIONAL LOTTERY SUPPORT for a programme to restore and maintain the Birchcliffe Centre, new marketing campaign to get local groups, businesses, residents and visitors more involved and advice on improving working arrangements. More info (17 March)

NEW WILDFLOWER SITE IN MYTHOLMROYD: Hebden Royd Town Council are adding a touch of colour to Mytholmroyd with a new project to plant a wildflower meadow at Hawksclough, a site currently full of dock weed and ragwort. Read more (14 March)

MURPHY'S LORE 11 - George Murphy gives advice on shepherding squirrels, a ‘Butter Up’ award, head tattoos, Fantastic Mr Fox, the regressive Council Tax, Chinese restaurants and Dog City News. Read it now. (12 March)

LAUGHING FOR PALESTINE at the Trades Club. Mock the Week's Tez Ilyas tops the bill on Thurs, 21 March in a fundraiser for the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. More info

PIANO FESTIVAL PROGRAMME LAUNCH PARTY takes place in the café bar at the Town Hall on Friday 15 March. There’s live piano music provided by Festival Director, David Nelson. More info (8 March)

BIRDS AND BEASTS ENTWINED: an Album Party ‘Entwined’ launch at the Trades Club this Saturday (9 March) in Hebden Bridge, where the group will share their new songs and some existing favourites. More info (7 March)

MURPHY'S LORE 10 - George Murphy's topics this week include the IT girl and the pharaoh, stories we tell ourselves, family revelations, sedating young children, Eco Warriors, Momo, a restaurant drama and a Reader’s letter. Read it now. (5 March)

CELEBRATION OF ‘INTERNATIONAL WOMEN EVERYWHERE’ On Saturday 9 March, Lunchtime Live will have performances from Ruth Nielson, Kate Radford, Ruby O’Hare and Gloria Jeffries More info (4 March)

Craig Whittaker votes for no deal. Our Calder Valley MP voted against 7 of the 8 options MPs were given last night to resolve the Brexit Crisis. He voted for the UK to leave Europe with no deal. More info (28 March)

COMEDY COMES TO THE LITTLE THEATRE: Those disappointed by closure of the Comedy Club in Hebden Bridge will be pleased to welcome a new venture at the Little Theatre. Top acts from the comedy circuit, TV and radio will be appearing on Sunday 28th April in the opening night of Canalside Comedy at the town’s 115-seater theatre. Read more. (27 March)

DAVID BURNOP: 40 YEARS AS THE DOCTOR Heptonstall Players would like to congratulate David Burnop on his 40th year as The Doctor, and invite you all to toast his health, and continuing endurance, in Heptonstall at The Pace Egg Play on Good Friday 19th April 2019. Read More and download the poster

NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: the Town Council and Slow The Flow Calderdale have joined forces to stage a conference for 30-31 March, designed for people living with flood risk in their own communities. More info (21 March)

STATION PASSENGER LIFTS take first passengers, this morning, Tuesday, 19 March 2019. Read more

REMEMBERING PETERLOO WITH ALAN FOWLER A sunny Monday, 200 years ago, 16 August, 1819 in Manchester. A peaceful, lively meeting of 60,000 men, women and children, calling for the vote and political reform. The cavalry charged: 15 dead and 600 injured. Read report of Local History lecture. (19 March)

GREENING THE ECONOMY: Report of the well attended meeting of 9 March organised by Calderdale Compass and details of the Mytholmroyd meeting coming up on 25 March. More info (18 March)

ARTS FESTIVAL OPEN MEETING - a chance to shape the Festival. Weds 20 March. And an opportunity to meet the festival Artistic Director Helen Meller and the Festival Board. Read more (15 March)

LINDA GREEN'S NEW HEBDEN BRIDGE NOVEL, set in Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall, tells the story of 3 generations of women and a "babies at the bottom of the garden" confession. Linda is signing copies at a launch event today. More info. (13 March)

THE CHANGING FACE OF MYTHOLMROYD Ambitious plans to 'enhance' the appearance of Mytholmroyd village centre are being discussed by Calderdale Council’s Cabinet. More info. (11 March)

JO WHITEHEAD'S RESPLENDENT BIRDS exhibition at the Gallery Lounge, Artsmill until 24 March. More info

WOODLANDS OF THE SOUTH PENNINES – their industrial history. Today, our woodlands are largely a place of leisure, but as Hywel Lewis told the Local History Society, their history shows how closely they were integrated in the industrial economic life of this area. Read report. (6 March)

FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMME LAUNCHED. The full programme for the first ever Hebden Bridge Film Festival (HBFF) has been launched. The festival takes place from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March. More info (5 March)

BARROW LAD GOES BARGAINING IN MIDDLE EAST – Philip Caine told the U3A about his adventures in Iraq, Algeria, Kurdistan, Dubai and more, and then writing books about it all. Read report (2 March)

February 2019

 

HUFFINGTON POST ON HEBDEN BRIDGE: "You will find a town that was almost abandoned, but brought back to life by hippies, artists and lesbians looking for a place to make a life." Written by Sean Pert, who continues: "The town doesn't just tolerate its LGBT+ community, it values and embraces us." Read more (28 Feb)

THE HISTORY OF FARMING IN THE INDUSTRIAL PENNINES Does it seem like a contradiction to speak on the topic of 'farming in the industrial Pennines'? At the recent meeting of the Local History Society, Dr Stephen Caunce tried to answer this question. Read report. (21 Feb)

FILM FESTIVAL - CARMEL AND LOLA: Basque filmmaker Arantxa Echevarría made her debut last year at Cannes with this story of forbidden love between two young women in Madrid’s close-knit Roma Community. More info (21 Feb)

WRITING YORKSHIRE is the topic of the next lecture (2 March) organised by the Lit & Sci with Prof Richard Morris who brings his skills as an archaeologist and historian to weave an account of Yorkshire’s past and present. More info (19 Feb)

MURPHY'S LORE 7 - VALENTINE SPECIAL
In this week's Murphy's Lore, there's Postman's Knock, Pablo Neruda, jogging shorts, sex, late night phone calls, and a romantic chanson. Read it now. And if you've missed them, follow the links to the six others.

FILM FESTIVAL - JESSICA HYNES' THE FIGHT Bafta-winning actress Jessica Hynes (Spaced, W1A, Bridget Jones’ Baby) will showcase her debut feature film as a director. Read more. (12 Feb)

JEFF NUTTALL'S BOMB CULTURE - Book Case event on Thursday, 21 February marks new edition of this defining 60s Underground book. Read more

MURPHY'S LORE 6
George Murphy's sixth piece for the HebWeb includes tails about dogs, local news coverage, tall footballers, small women, a bus hijack and a stuck up post mistress. Read it now. (7 Feb)

LUNCHTIME LIVE is every second Saturday of the month at Hope Baptist Chapel. Come along this Saturday 9th February, from 1 pm - 4pm. Featuring Dave Morcombe, Peculiar Blue, Joachim Lund and Jack Parker. More info (6 Feb)

COMMUNITY CAST WANTED FOR GIANT OUTDOOR THEATRE EVENT Bradford-based theatre company, Mind the Gap, is seeking an integrated community cast of over 100 local people for their new outdoor theatre event in April. Read more (5 Feb)

‘BEING FRANK confirmed for Hebden Bridge Film Festival. Revealing the hidden creator behind Manchester comedian Frank Sidebottom, this film explores the life and art of the late Chris Sievey. Read more (4 Feb)

ARTSMILL EXHIBITION:
Instigate : Exchange is the latest exhibition with Ebony Andrews & Ian C. Taylor. It is showing from 6-24 March with a preview on Sunday, 3 March. More info

MURPHY'S LORE 9 - George Murphy talks about Zen and Zips, Sid Field, falsies, shopping lists, wandering minds, Mr Cholmondeley’s brakes, Radio Daze and a Catch 22. Read it now. And if you've missed them, follow the links to the eight others. (27 Feb)

FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCH on Friday, 8 March at Hebden Bridge Town Hall when the full programme of films and events will be available. More info (26 Feb)

GROUSE ESTATES INVESTIGATED OVER HEATHER BURNING including our own local Walshaw Moor who wouldn't go along with the voluntary agreement other estates signed up to. See Guardian article (25 Feb)

MURPHY'S LORE 8 - This week, George Murphy tackles Midsummer Night’s Dream, mental health, dog attacks, drones, book launches and spot the poet! Read it now. And if you've missed them, follow the links to the seven others. (21 Feb)

MYTHOLMROYD FLOOD DEFENCES: first part completed. "As well as reducing flood risk for local homes and businesses this important piece of work provides improved access and should gradually blend well with the local setting." Read more (18 Feb)

HEPTONSTALL'S PENNINE SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL from 27 May to 1 June led by new orchestral Director, Orr Guy, featuring. This year you'll hear Prokofiev, Cole Porter, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and more. More info. (15 Feb)

HEBDEN BRIDGE CO-OP BURGLARY: FOUR MEN JAILED for breaking into, and stealing from, the Co-op last month. At Bradford Crown Court on Monday, 11 Feb. Read more

CANAL TOWPATH: PLANS FOR WALKING AND CYCLING - Work will start this Spring on a £2.1m scheme to improve cycling and walking access on a 6 km section of the Rochdale Canal towpath between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Read more (12 Feb)

2019 BIG SPRING CLEAN - from 22nd - 31st March, teams from community groups, schools, residents and businesses will be sponsored £60 to their chosen local charity or project, for taking part in the annual clean-up of our area. More info

COMMUNITY PLANS FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES TURNED DOWN - Calder Valley Land Trust has told the HebWeb that it is enormously disappointed at the decision by Calderdale’s planning committee today to reject proposals for new affordable homes to rent in Hebden Bridge. Read more (5 Feb)

IF I WERE YOU by Alan Ayckbourn is the next production at the Little Theatre, from 18-23 Feb. About a couple, Mal and Jill, whose long marriage has hit the rocks, suspected infidelity, boorish behaviour and swopped bodies move this comedy along. More info (4 Feb)

January 2019

 

MURPHY'S LORE: No 5 - George Murphy's fifth piece for the HebWeb includes his thoughts on banks doing a bunk, a dead cat, Cassandra, home banking, passion interrupted and a mining tragedy. Read it now. (31 Jan)

MEASURES WILL BENEFIT HEBDEN BRIDGE and surrounding areas. "Work is under way on a £2.6 million project to plant woods, restore peat bog and slow water flow in streams to protect thousands of homes from flooding." See this ITV news report (28 Jan)

HEBDEN BRIDGE: HOW A THRIVING TOWN LOST ITS LAST BANK: This Guardian article reports that, "Residents feel angry and let down as Lloyds departs, but one man (David Fletcher) has a plan to fill the gap." Only a few years ago, Hebden Bridge had five full time banks. The last one, Lloyds, closed last week. Read article (26 Jan)

NO BANKS. NO PETROL Lloyds Bank was the last bank left in Hebden Bridge. It closed this month. Shepherds was the last petrol garage still open in Hebden Bridge. It stopped selling petrol this month. (25 Jan)

HAPPY VALLEY PRIDE 2019 PROMISES BIGGER, BETTER AND BAWDY - an eclectic, alternative and inclusive, week-long festival for everyone. Celebrating LGBT+ life in our area, it will be earlier than in previous years, from 22 to 28 July 2019. More info. (24 Jan)

MURPHY'S LORE: No 4 - George Murphy's fourth piece for his HebWeb column includes thoughts on the Extinction Rebellion, Rat Man, King Coal, Dixie Dean, open fires and disasters. Read it now. (21 Jan)

GHOSTS IN ART AND LITERATURE is the topic of next lecture organised by the Lit & Sci with Art historian Susan Owens who will be reflecting on the place that ghosts have in our culture - on Sat 26 January. More info (17 Jan)

LOST HOUSES OF THE SOUTH PENNINES. There was standing room only when artist Kate Lycett came to speak to Hebden Bridge Local History Society about the stories behind her hugely successful paintings of the Lost Houses of the South Pennines. Read report (15 Jan)

ARTIST'S WORK SELECTED FOR OPEN EXHIBITION. Two paintings by Hebden Bridge artist Julie Rose Clark have been chosen for this year's up and coming Ferens Art Gallery’s 2019 Open Exhibition in Hull, from 2 Feb to 14 April.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND QUIZ – Dee Ashworth conducted the Tod Community Adult Learners Brass Band in a fine medley of tunes. Impromptu quiz groups were set fiendish seasonal questions by Myrna Beet of the Quiz Group. Read report from University of Third Age (11 Jan)

LUNCHTIME LIVE this Saturday 12 January from 1-4pm at Hope Baptist Chapel. Organised by Dave Boardman, Fiona Pattison and Sarah Courtney will this time feature punk poet Keiron Higgins, Birds and Beasts, Ava Burgess and The Harmony Jar. More info

THE BATTLE OF HEPTONSTALL - a play and public lecture is being prepared for February 2019, to remember this 1643 battle of the English Civil War. The play is being produced with local actors and with the help of local residents. Read more, along with photos from Bruce Cutts and video from Nick Wilding. (7 Jan)

MURPHY'S LORE: No 2 - The HebWeb is very pleased to present a regular column from local writer and story-teller, George Murphy. In this second piece, he talks about crime, baths, bikes, the birds and the bees, floods and much more. Read now. (2 Jan)

PATHWAYS FILMS – Peter Thornton and Ray Riches told the U3A about the films they've produced since 2000 including ones on the Brontes, Hardcastle Crags, Halifax, the Luddenden Valley and Hebden Bridge. Read report (30 Jan)

MILESTONES AND WAYMARKERS IN THE SOUTH PENNINES For David Garside of the Yorkshire Milestones Society, the collecting and mapping of wayside markers is a passion which he shared with a meeting of the Hebden Bridge Local History Society. Read report. (28 Jan)

EXTINCTION REBELLION call on Calderdale to declare a Climate Emergency, and are urging Calderdale Council to support a climate change motion to be debated at their meeting next week. More info (26 Jan) 

ARTSMILL EXHIBITION: NIC CHAPMAN, PHOTOGRAPHER Nic Chapman is a photographer with an artistic flare and an eye for detail. Her exhibition is showing in the Gallery Lounge from Weds 30 January with a preview on Sun, 27 Jan. More info

WILD ROSE TO OPEN HEBDEN BRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL Rising star Jessie Buckley plays alongside Julie Walters in this story of Rose-Lynn Harlan, a singer from Glasgow, dreams of making it big in America. Read more. (23 Jan)

PETITION FOR ELECTRIC VALLEY: A petition calling for the electrification of the Calder Valley line has been launched by Calderdale Council as part of its campaign for greater investment in the service. Read more. (22 Jan)

HEPTON SINGERS LOOKING FOR MEN who sing bass or tenor to join them for their current season and beyond. More info (18 Jan)

ARTSMILL EXHIBITION: WHERE EARTH MEETS SKY - Claire Murray's work embraces the rich and dramatic landscapes and seascapes of the North, concerning mainly ideas of memory and recall, and running from 23 Jan until 10 Feb. More info (15 Jan)

CROWDFUNDING FOR WATERSIDE FOLD near the Little Park, to pay for legal representation against the developer. Many of the nearby residents are retired and elderly. See latest HebWeb Forum thread with links to previous discussions. (15 Jan)

DAWSON CITY CABINS OF MYTHOLMROYD to be removed as part of the flood alleviation scheme. Some of the timber will be returned to the land once occupied by Dawson City. More traffic lights will be installed, this time for 2 weeks on New Road. Read more (13 Jan)

MURPHY'S LORE: No 3 - George Murphy's third piece for his HebWeb column includes thoughts on the cormorant and the shag, insurance, home truths, a guilty secret, constabulary duties, Belle Vue cinema and more on the birds and the bees. Read now. (9 Jan)

NUTCLOUGH HOUSING CO-OP NEEDS NEW MEMBERS - the co-op based at the Nutclough Tavern is in need of a new cohort of members to take on the Co-op and the 8-bedroom building with community room. More info (5 Jan)

MANAGING CALDERDALE’S WOODLAND - A new tree and woodland strategy is being discussed by Calderdale Council’s Cabinet, helping to guide tree management in the borough and for the proposed Northern Forest. Read more (5 Jan)