The Origins of the Arab - Israeli Conflict The guest speaker at the May University of the 3rd Age meeting was Paul Atherton. Paul recounted the history of Palestine from the Roman era through to modern times. Read report 19 May

The problem of invasive species
The Council is raising awareness of the problems caused by invasive species and actions people can take to stop their spread. They can spread rapidly and become dominant. Read more 14 May

POD expands car share scheme with reduced rates - POD has nearly 50 users already and 4 hybrid vehicles with another arriving soon. Now they have cut their rates, and the geese are watching out for their cars. Read more. 12 May

24 Down, 41 to Go – The fight against the Turbines goes on Campaigners against the newly rebranded Calderdale Energy Park are urging local residents to carry on fighting the huge industrial development proposed for Walshaw Moor. Stop Calderdale Wind Farm want people to respond to the public consultation which lasts until 10 June. Read more 7 May

Granny's Attic at Wadsworth Granny's Attic stop off at Wadsworth Community Centre on 23 May for their new album tour: 'Cold Blows The Wind.' Expect lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Read more

Murphy's Lore latest: In this episode, George Murphy writes about hot weather, a silver grey Lagonda, Frank Muir, speed limits, China, a garden gang and shares a tale about a Yorkshire Don Juan. Read it here - 1 May

Murphy's Lore latest: In the latest episode, George reports on a mini break to the Lakes, considers the status of dandelions, reflects on VE day celebrations, remembers the good and bad uses of birches, and celebrates being twenty years younger than he used to be, despite doubts from some friends and readers. Finally, he gives timely advice on the birds and the bees. Read it all here - 15 May

Disability Access Forum launches revised Access Map and Guide to Hebden Bridge town centre, first published in 2018. There are changes to the Step Free Guide, as shops, cafes and other businesses have changed hands since the last update. Read more 13 May

Renewal of water mains on Keighley Road: A £60,000 investment from Yorkshire Water to renew water mains in Hebden Bridge is set to get underway from Monday 12 May along Keighley Road. Read more.

Stamping down on fly-tipping: The Council continues its fight against fly-tipping and new government policies give the council more powers. Fly-tippers and criminal waste operators can have their vehicles seized and crushed. Drones and mobile CCTV are also being used. Read more 6 May.

Cllr Scott Patient applauds Landscapes for Water: The National Trust and Yorkshire Water recently invited Cllr Scott Patient for a tour of the latest conservation works, planting trees and installing leaky dams. Read more 1 May

Charlestown Open Gardens: On Saturday, 8 June it will be the third year of Charlestown Open Gardens – a chance to gather some inspiration and have a good old nosy at what local householders have been designing and growing. Read more

Cafe On't Front Fire ripped through this well known Hebden Bridge cafe late last night. The building was one of the last wooden structures from Dawson City. To show support, visit the Cafe's Facebook page. 23 April

It will be nice when it's done: At the April meeting of the University of 3rd Age,  John and Mary Lyte told of buying and converting a derelict row of 3 former miners' cottage, condemned as unsuitable for human habitation and to be demolished. Read report. 22 April

Town Council's New Website Hebden Royd Town Council are pleased to announce the launch of its new website. The new site is now managed internally by the Town Council, thanks to the appointment of a Communications Officer in the past two years. Read more. 21 April

Hebden Royd Town Council vacancy for a Communications & Engagement Co-ordinator, an opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to become involved at the heart of the community. Read more 17 April

More Murphy's Lore: In the latest episode, George discusses how many cars are too many for our small town, considers what polite British phrases really mean, reviews the Short Film Festival, compares Trouser Town and Trump, suggests exercises to escape the grim reaper, shares readers' thoughts on comics and politeness and ponders what the future holds in the lyrics of a song. Read it here - 15 April

Ground Floor to re-open: Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy have raised over £380,000. So, 100 years after the Trades Club first opened, its Ground Floor is to be transformed into a community resource, promoting health, wellbeing and 'enriching local lives'. Read more 10 April

Pace Egg Play 2025 The Pace Egg Players on Good Friday (18 April) in Weavers Square, Heptonstall. Read this HebWeb news item and find links to background info and photos of previous years.

The Korgis coming to the Trades This classic British pop band best known for their worldwide hit single Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime play Hebden Bridge Trades Club on Friday 25th July. Read more.

Wanted: Chair of Trustees for Arts group Hebden Bridge Arts is seeking a visionary Chair of Trustees to lead its board into a bold new chapter. Read more. 3 April

New proposals to ban heather burning on peatland to protect air, water and wildlife. Under plans set out by the Government, the burning of peat in the uplands would be banned. This would improve the health and wellbeing of people in nearby communities. Read more 1 April

Report on Walshaw Windfarm community assemblies Just as Calderdale Wind Farm Ltd unveils its revised proposal - now rebranded as Calderdale Energy Park - the HebWeb has been sent a report which reviews 2 Walshaw Windfarm Community Assemblies. Read more 30 April

Music at Wainsgate A new season of concerts at Wainsgate starts 10th May with iyatraQuartet who make original music rooted in ancient melodies and folk tales. Read more

Last Dance on the Riviera Emerging local playwright Chris Berry will be staging his debut play, Last Dance on the Riviera at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre this July. Read more 23 April

MP calls for rethink on Keighley Road closure Bradford Council plans to close the A6033 road bettween Hebden Bridge and Oxenhope for 4 months over the summer period. MP for Keighley, Robbie Moore, has described the closure as 'absolute lunacy'. Read more. 22 April

Latest news from the CALDER VALLEY Land Trust Lots going on with the Land Trust - new homes in Todmorden and Jerusalem Farm, 19 social rented homes in Ferney Lee in Todmorden, Fielden Hall update, Crown Street in Hebden Bridge, High Street sauna, and more. Read more 18 April

Podcast: Andrew Bibby and Co-operative Housing Local author and journalist, Andrew Bibby, whose book These Houses Are Ours tells the story of the first wave of co-operative housing, is the guest on the latest Red Heaven podcast from oral historian and interviewer Dr Simon Machin. Read more. 17 April

The Flood: A Musical: A Love Letter to a Town that refused to sink. On Boxing Day 2015, our town was devastated by the worst floods in a century. Homes and businesses were submerged. Lives were turned upside down. Read more. 15 April

Picture House Second Screen latest Hebden Royd Town Council is now moving forward with a funding strategy, feasibility study, design development and detailed business plan. An Expression of Interest has been submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Read more 15 April

The Calderdale Swift project Calderdale Council, working with the RSPB, Calderdale Bird Conservation and Natural England, is helping to stop the decline in the swift population with free swift nesting boxes. Read more 8 April

Christine Gudgin died suddenly on Friday 28 February. She helped renovate the Trades Club in the late 1970-80s and has been a strong supporter of the Hebden Bridge Town Hall. Christine grew up at Dodnaze and attended Stubbings School. Read more on this Lives Remembered page. Friday 4 April 2025

Unite Union demonstrates against Energy Price Cap Members and supporters of Unite demonstrated in Halifax Town Centre today, as part of the Union's National Day of Action against rising energy costs. Read more. 1 April

Trades Club Centenary Year
Alan Fowler, a longstanding member of the Local History Society, and with encyclopaedic knowledge of local Labour and Trades Union history, spoke about the first Labour Government and the opening of the Hebden Bridge Trades Club in 1925. Read report. 31 March

Parking charges go up from Sunday, 30 March. The half an hour 'quick shop' rate on streets such as Crown Street and Albert Street, which was 20p is now £1, or £2 for one hour. Where the rate was 90p per hour (eg,Hangingroyd Lane and Valley Road), it is now £1 ph.

COVID AND LOCKDOWN: 5 years on On the early evening of Monday, 23 March 2020, the first Lockdown was announced. The HebWeb reported upon it daily with facts and figures from reliable sources. The HebWeb has now created this Covid Feature with info, links to the news from five years ago, George Murphy's Lockdown Diary, photos, charts and video. Read the Covid Feature. (23 March 2025)

The Houghton Weavers The North West's leading comedy / folk group, stars of TV, Radio and Stage, are making their way around the region with their 2025 tour, including a show at Hebden Bridge Town hall on 29 March 2025. More info

Community Film Afternoon as part of the Anne Lister Festival. On Sunday, 30 March, there will be an afternoon showing of three short films celebrating lesbian stories - at the Hebden Bridge Picture House. More info

Murphy's Lore Season 5 continues - The latest episode includes flood defences, parking matters, depleted peat and Lucifer's birthday. There's an old film reviewed, an old tale retold, some sages annoyed and a Joy! I enjoyed. Read the latest episode - 16 March

The rise and fall of football in the Upper Calder Valley Why does the area have no notable football teams today? Derek Kettlewell spoke to the Local History Society about the challenges faced and highlights enjoyed by teams such as Hebden Bridge, Portsmouth Rovers and Luddendenfoot. Read more 14 March

Bridge Mill Crowdfunding Appeal The iconic water wheel was restored in 1998, but its wooden paddles have become rotten over time and now needed replacing. Read BBC report - Crowdfunder page - HebWeb feature on Bridge Mill - 10 March

Gig Celebrating The Pennine Way Celebrating 60 years of The Pennine Way, Johnny Campbell is walking from Edale, Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm, Scotland, 268 miles, performing 17 shows in 19 days. Including Wadsworth Community Centre on Sun 23 March. Read more

Writing Centre launches Crowdfunding Campaign - Arvon, the UK's leading creative writing charity, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the final £75,000 needed to complete the transformation of Lumb Bank, a historic literary house situated above the Colden Valley, Hebden Bridge. Read more 4 March

Murphy's Lore is back! Season 5 starts with George Murphy reflecting on grey skies and indoor exercise, a mini break, a freezing gig about hot weather, a poem partly about deep snow, strangers on a train, and a kindly deed. It ends with a prophetic warning and a terrible betrayal. Read the latest episode - 2 March

"Police threatened couple with arrest if they contacted councillor" is the headline of an article published in today's The Times. Dave Boardman and his wife, Viv, were visited by 2 officers wearing body cameras at their home in Hebden Bridge to question them about a claim of 'harassment' centring around the issue of women only events.They were 'shocked' that the complaint had come from their Town Councillor, Rebecca Boden. Read article. 31 March Update: see Daily Mail. 1 April

The latest Murphy's Lore episode includes the comics we once read, a gig, Alan Fowler's Trades Club talk, an Adolescent review, Tech problems, the Rent Man and Shintin, and a Yorkshire Don Juan. Read it here - 31 March

Yorkshire Water - with bills about to go up 29%, it was announced today that last year Yorkshire Water dumped into rivers and seas more than 400,000 hours of sewage. See Yorkshire Post article 27 March

From Barrow to Baghdad The guest speaker at the March 2025 meeting of the University of 3rd Age was Philip Caine. Philip's working life spanned working as a chef, hotel manager and then construction manager over thirty years - on oil rigs, in Barrow, London, Paris, Scotland, Algeria, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Iraq. Read more 25 March

Vacancy: Environment and Allotments Officer- Hebden Royd Town Council are seeking to recruit a Local Environment & Allotment Officer, to be part of a dedicated small team making a positive impact in the community. More info. 20 March

'Mytholmroyd Man' Memorial Tree: Last Friday, 14 March, marked the first anniversary of Tony Hodgins' death, and a rowan tree was planted in White Lee Memorial Gardens, Mytholmroyd, to mark his contribution to the community. Read more 18 March

Calderdale Ecological Land Trust seeks help Are you enthusiastic about being at the cutting edge of food system change? The Ecological Land Trust is looking for a new member to join their management group. More info here. 15 March

Lindsay Rimer's Murder - a moving and impressive documentary features two local journalists, Sheron Boyle and Virginia Mason, who have covered the unsolved case over the past 30 years, and Lindsay's sisters, Kate and Juliet. The 24 Minute programme has been produced by TV company ShotsTV and is available to watch here. 12 March

Hebden Bridge Flood Prevention Plans Hebden Bridge has been hit by a series of devastating floods over the past 15 years. The Environment Agency is now drafting plans to help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall in the future. More info. 7 March

The Civil War in Sowerby Who would have thought that a book of accounts could open up the day to day reality of life during the civil war? But as Murray Seccombe told the Local History Society, the rare survival of the accounts of the Constable of Sowerby during this period was invaluable. Read more 5 March

Twinning Society seeks new members Hebden Bridge Twinning Society has been active for over 40 years. Valuable friendships have been forged through exchange visits with people from St Pol in France and Warstein in Germany. Read more 3 March

Town Council celebrates LGBTQ+ contribution: Hebden Royd Town Council meeting last night agreed a motion celebrating LGBTQ+, and committing to support all marginalised communities in Hebden Royd. Read more 27 Feb

POD car share is up and running Car sharing has returned to the Upper Calder Valley with three cars in Hebden Bridge and two in Tod. People are signing up and are already using the cars with the POD app. Read more 26 Feb

The Assassination of President Kennedy The guest speaker at the recent University of the 3rd Age meeting was Pete Mellor, who described the events of 22nd November 1963 in Dallas, Texas and the assassination of President Kennedy. Read more 24 Feb

Martin Parr at The Picture House: I am Martin Parr is showing this week at our cinema. The award winning photographer (formerly of Hebden Bridge) and the film are featured in today's Observer. Read the article. 23 Feb.

Whatever happened to the townships? David Cant told a recent meeting of the Local History Society that the townships were very long-lasting administrative areas, pre-dating the Norman conquest and still in operation in the 19th century. Read more 19 Feb

Over half of Calderdale primary schools plan to make teachers redundant Calderdale Against School Cuts approached 84 Calderdale primary headteachers. The survey revealed that increases in school costs have outstripped any recent funding that the government has provided. Read more. 17 Feb

Changes to travel in and around Hebden Bridge - Parking charges, speed reduction and limited yellow lines to be introduced on A646 between Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Calderdale says these changes will help make it safer and healthier for people to get to Hebden Bridge, and will support local businesses. Read more 11 Feb

Town Council Bye-election for White Lee Ward, Mytholmroyd, was on Thursday 6 February. Scott Burrows (independent) won the seat. The only other candidate was Stuart Murray for Labour.

WI Spring Rag Market on Saturday 12 April. The Rag Market is a twice yearly event run by Hebden Bridge WI to raise funds for their Charity of the Year and for an Educational Bursary with the chance to build new skills. See HebWeb news item for more info.

MP seeks 'united voice' against windfarm plan A West Yorkshire MP has written to other members of parliament calling for a cross-party "united voice" against proposals for a wind farm in Calderdale which would be England's biggest. Read BBC report 6 Feb

Electric Bloom - a new music scene for 18s and under: Happy Valley Pride is presenting Electric Bloom - a new music scene for 18s and under, this Sat 8 Feb and it's totally free! Creating a safe and inclusive space for music lovers aged 11 to 18 at The Trades Club. Read more

Climate and mental health fundraiser: Extinction Rebellion Calderdale are back with another of their legendary Discobedience club nights at the Trades on Friday 7 Feb. Promising an unstoppable night of rebellious basslines and energising beats. Read more

Windfarm Petition calling on the Government to ban wind farms on protected peat land. Campaigners argue that there is plenty of other available land for all the onshore wind farms needed for the green transition. See Parliamentary petition. 2 Feb

Kim Carnie Out Loud Hebden Bridge Picture House, Sat 15 March, 7pm, followed by a Q&A. From the age of 16, singer Kim Carnie spent six years in a secret same-sex relationship. Read more. 28 Feb

Trades Club wins music award - The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge has won a prestigious music industry award. The Northern Music Awards committee have voted the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge the Best Venue Under 2000 capacity. Read more. 26 Feb

Mytholm Mill Demolition has started this week, with "fears it might become a liability for the community" given as the reason. Read more 25 Feb

Breakfast clubs coming to Calder Valley schools: Four Calder Valley primary schools are set to be amongst the first in England to offer free breakfast clubs under a new government scheme. Read more. 24 Feb

The Hebden Crypt was situated off Valley Road from 1990 to 1996. Yorkshire Live yesterday did a piece on "the lost Yorkshire horror museum which upset townsfolk and vicars." Read article. 23 Feb

Five years on from Storm Ciara On 9 February 2020, Storm Ciara caused 10 miles of damage across Calderdale. As the 4th major flood event in the area within 8 years, Storm Ciara caused flooding in around 1,200 houses and business properties. Storm Dennis and subsequent heavy rain further impacted the borough. Read more 18 Feb

GrubHub Feedback February Calder Grubhub are always keen to know what our community wants. They continue to supply great meals every Wednesday, between 5pm and 7pm. Come along to GrubHub on a Wednesday to let us know. More info

The Return of the Otter: A Conservation Success - The Calderdale Otter Project is dedicated to monitoring, protecting and researching otters, advocating for cleaner rivers, and much more. The Group is growing from strength to strength and have established that otters are present throughout Calderdale. Read more 11 Feb

A646 to close again:The road between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden will once again be closed from around 8pm on 14 February for sewer maintenance work. Yorkshire Water have told the HebWeb it will remain closed for about 10 days. See this press release from Yorkshire Water. 8 Feb

Town councillor makes claims against the Labour Party: Rebecca Boden has made allegations concerning tax and accounting matters. The Labour Party has responded by saying it is liaising with the Electoral Commission, and the constituency party is seeking independent financial advice. BBC report now available again, having disappeared for a day or so. - See discussion thread. Updated 8 Feb

Get chatty with Al Heard people talking about 'ChatGPT' or 'artificial intelligence'? Maybe you've given it a go but feel like you're only scratching the surface. This event could be for you! Read more 6 Feb

Town Council Bye-election for White Lee Ward, Mytholmroyd, is on Thursday 6 February. The candidates are Scott Burrows (independent) and Stuart Murray (Labour). Vote at St Michael's Parish Hall.

History Society report: buildings then and now Kevin Illingworth has photographed buildings with architecture typical of Yorkshire and Lancashire – not grand stately homes, but houses where working and living co-existed. Read report of talk 2 Feb

Keeping Old Town Post Office for the Community In recent years the post office and cafe have become central to the community of Old Town. Now that the owners wish to sell, a group has been formed to try and put the post office and cafe into community ownership. A share offer is planned. Read more 30 Jan

Halifax Zoo The guest speaker at the recent University of the 3rd Age meeting was local historian Christine Leveridge. She told where the zoo was situated, what animals were kept there, about the animal escapes and more. Read report 21 Jan

Plan to protect and restore natural environment - Calderdale's Ecological Emergency Action Plan seeks to make communities greener, protect and restore peatland, protect rivers, woodlands hedgerows and wildlife, and much more. Read article and access report. 20 Jan

Britain's toughest race sprints through Hebden Bridge Hebden Bridge played host last night (Sunday 12 January) to several hundred intrepid runners undertaking the gruelling Winter Spine Race the length of the Pennine Way, arguably the toughest ultra race in Britain.  Read more

Louise Brough Louise died yesterday at hospital in Leeds. Well known at the Trades, Windsor Road and throughout Hebden Bridge. Add your memories to this Lives Remembered page 14 Jan

Loose Ends at the Trades The long running BBC Radio 4 chatshow Loose Ends was broadcast from Hebden Bridge on Saturday, 11 Jan. Host Clive Anderson announced the show was coming direct from "the world famous Hebden Bridge Trades Club." Listen to programme

Warm Space Cinema Screenings: The Town Council, has launched Warm Space Cinema Screenings. These free events are open to all although will retain a special focus on those with dementia. The Ladykillers is on 20 January at the Picture House Read more 10 Jan

Grants available for natural flood management to support initiatives such as planting trees and hedgerows, installing leaky dams and creating attenuation ponds to temporarily hold back rainwater. Read more 28 Jan

Pennine Cropshare Receives £28,000 Grant to create jobs and expand operations in Calderdale. The organisation is dedicated to supplying sustainable organic vegetables, fruit, eggs, and bread to collection points across the Calder Valley. Read more 21 Jan

Act Now on Climate Change was one of the central themes of the passionate and illuminating talk by Prof Kevin Anderson to the packed, sold out meeting of the Lit & Sci at the Town Hall on Sat 11 Jan. Read report

First look at Riot Women - The BBC have released info and photos of the new drama from Sally Wainwright, the writer who gave us Happy Valley. Set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, Riot Women is a six-part series, showing later this year. Read BBC report 13 Jan

A646 Road Closure Update Cllr Sarah Courtney has posted information from Calderdale and Yorkshire Water on social media, indicating further complications and delays. The latest re-opening date for the road between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge is now Monday, 27 January. Read more - See discussion thread - and latest BBC News 11 Jan

Sinkhole Update: A 12 minute YouTube video from the Wandering Turnip, who shows viewers all around the hole and its surrounds, discusses some of the issues and expresses doubt about whether the A646 will really be ready for one way traffic by 13 Jan. See video. 8 Jan

Recycling Centres cuts Reducing the opening hours of Recycling Centres (tips) such as the one at Eastwood and closing the one at Elland are among the options Calderdale Council are considering in order to cut costs. Read more 8 Jan

Town Council Bye-Election: Nominations for election as Hebden Royd Town Councillor for White Lee ward should be submitted by 4pm on Friday, 10 January. More info here 3 Jan

New Year starts with more flood worries with the siren going off and flood warnings overnight. The river has now peaked and water levels are falling. See this Environment Agency page 1 Jan