Transforming The National Portrait Gallery Raised in Hebden Bridge, the Gallery's Director returned to his home town to give a sold-out talk to the Literary and Scientific Society at the Town Hall on 25 Nov. Read the report. 29 Nov

Quiz raises over £500 for Victims of Torture Survivors of Torture Activity Fund held a quiz at the Trades Club on Wednesday 22nd November, raising the £500+ through ticket sales and raffle. Read more and see photo. 26 Nov

Numbers The speaker at the recent University of the Third Age meeting, Dave Calverley, spoke about numbers and other aspects of maths, including Fibonacci, the golden ratio, replacing Roman numerals with Indian ones and superstitions around certain numbers. Read the report 21 Nov

Palestine campaigner returns: Chris Drake, best known in Hebden Bridge for her one person protests in George's Square, has returned from the West Bank and spoken to Peter Lazenby about things that happened "that she'll never forget." Read Morning Star report 19 Nov

Eco Christmas lights: New ecological LED lighting will decorate streets this festive season. Alongside a new display planned for the cinema, further centrepieces include the Christmas trees, each decorated with over 2000 colour-changing LEDs. More info 16 Nov.

Labour to choose candidate for next year's General Election, at Halifax Minster next Tuesday, 21 Nov. The 3 candidates are Josh Fenton-Glynn, Dot Foster and Adam Wilkinson. See HebWeb News on the row over members' restricted choice.

Twinning Society German Evening Long term members and potential new members talked, listen to German band music, and most of all enjoyed their sausages. Read more 11 Nov

Ben Myers wins prize Gallows Pole author has won the 2023 Goldsmiths prize for his novel 'Cuddy', retelling the story of Durham Cathedral. Read Guardian article (9 Nov) - and see HebWeb Interview with Ben Myers

New footbridge in Mytholmroyd Large beams have been lifted into place, forming part of a new footbridge spanning the River Calder in Mytholmroyd, replacing the old footbridge. Read more 7 Nov

'Community-spirited walkers' town' with independent shops and literary connections. "This proudly independent 'Happy Valley' town marches to its own beat and has dramatic Pennine walks on the doorstep." Read article in the "i" newspaper 3 Nov

Labour row over choice of candidate Widespread anger is being expressed on social media after Calder Valley Labour Party members were offered just three people to choose from, when they come to vote for their parliamentary candidate for next year's general election. Read more 2 Nov

Calder Grub Hub is looking for sponsors for the community meal at Hope Baptist Church each Wednesday, to help pay for ingredients, equipment and items like insurance and heating. More info. 1 Nov

Craig Whittaker and the Madonna Tickets Our Tory MP who criticised the gambling regulator received more than £8,000, including Madonna tickets worth over £2000, from betting industry, according to an article in today's Guardian. Read the article 29 Nov

Tenters in the landscape: a remarkable history. Speaker Dr Graham Cooper told the Local History Society about the role of tentering – drying and stretching cloth on a frame, and discovering a world of challenges, cheating and regulation. Read report 26 Nov

THE HEBWEB INTERVIEW: HORATIO CLARE - The latest interview features writer and broadcaster, Horatio Clare. George Murphy caught up with him at a local hostelry to hear his views on mental health, farming, travel, SAD, music, world affairs, life in Hebden Bridge and his BBC Radio 4 series: Is Psychiatry Working? Read all 35+ HebWeb Interviews

Hebden Makes Christmas 2-3 December over 100 local artists will stage "Hebden Makes Christmas" - an art, craft and open-art-studios spectacle and festive gift shopping experience. Read more

Light up the Valley - Mytholmroyd on Saturday, 18 Nov from midday until 7pm at Mytholmroyd Community Centre Car Park and Hebden Bridge on Thursday, 23 Nov from 3-8pm at St. George's Square and Hebden Bridge Town Hall. Live music, a markets, Santa's grotto, food and drink , children's rides, competitions, and the official Christmas tree lights switch-on! More info

Inside Hebden Bridge - "from hippies to BBC's Happy Valley to one of UK's prettiest towns, . . . with its rolling green hills, historial architecture and the River Calder flowing through its veins." Read Daily Mirror feature 12 Nov

Manchester Ship Canal - Anne Kirker, local historian took the audience at the History Society on a visual travelogue of a cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal, one of the most important civil engineering projects of its time, completed 130 years ago. Read report 10 Nov

Transforming The National Portrait Gallery The Lit & Sci is welcoming back Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, on Nov 25th at The Town Hall, when he will talk about his current work. Read more 7 Nov

Film Festival calls for Short Film Submissions to its Short Film Competition as they announce cash prizes of £500 and £300. Read more 4 Nov

Julie Hesmondhalgh Talk Report There was full-house last Saturday at the Town Hall when Julie Hesmondhalgh lifted spirits while being interviewed so adeptly by Amanda Dalton - a Lit & Sci talk. Read report 2 Nov

Ceasefire now: 4.30-5.30pm, Sat 4 Nov. Silent Vigil in the Square, for the children of Palestine, calling for a ceasefire now. Called by the Halifax Friends of Palestine. See also: Forum discussion of Israel and Gaza

Station booking office saved: Transport Secretary Mark Harper said today that the government had asked train operators to withdraw their proposals to close booking offices. See July news item 31 Oct

Dr David Wild died on 18 October. Born in New Zealand in 1955, he spent over 35 years as a dedicated and tireless GP for the Hebden Bridge Group Practice. For comments, info and funeral details, see this Lives Remembered page 30 Oct

Camera Club - 2023 Winners This year's winner was Spooky Woods by Jennifer Hartshorn. Visitors to the Hebden Bridge Camera Club exhibition at the end of August had an opportunity to vote for their favourite images. More info and runners-up. 26 Oct

Cash boost for voluntary groups Local community and voluntary sector groups in our area are invited to apply for two grant schemes, providing significant funding to help them support some of the most vulnerable people. More info. 25 Oct

Heptonstall Museum updatesDetails of forthcoming events, including A Celebration for Sylvia on Friday, and a play exploring the life of writer Ethel Carnie Holdsworth. More info 23 Oct

Support is Everything Calder Community Kindness shop and Winnie Dot lingerie in Hebden Bridge have joined forces to launch 'Supporting the Women of Calderdale' at The Kindness Shop, Hebden Bridge marina on Thurs 26 October between 7-9pm. Read more

Inside the mind of Oliver Heywood who was a keen diarist. Sheila Graham told Hebden Bridge Local History Society how she used lockdown hours to trawl through the strange things he recorded to find a sense of his thoughts and feelings. Read more 19 Oct

Born in Bradford report On Sat 30 Sept, Prof John Wright, in an inspiring presentation at the Town Hall, told the Lit & Sci about the project which tracks, through research studies, 13,500 children born in Bradford from 2007 to 2010. Read report. 8 Oct 2023

28 years of twinning celebrated by Hebden Royd and Warstein. "An incredibly enjoyable evening with a wonderful host," said Mayor Bernice Hayes. Deputy Mayor Pat Fraser observed, "The friendships that you forge form an unbreakable link into the future." Read more 4 Oct

Red Hippo and Tongue & Groove are the next to perform in the Wainsgate Concert series, on Sat 14 October. Between them they play a notable array of instrumentsand combine Jazz, Folk and World music to create compositions which are accessible yet challenging. Read more

Julie Hesmondhalgh The next Lit & Sci talk will be on Sat 28 Oct: An Evening with Julie Hesmondhalgh, interviewed by Amanda Dalton. Read more 2 Oct

Wadsworth Folk: Steve Tilston with Hugh Bradley & Pete Dilley on Sat 11 Nov. Steve has been described as "a complete guitarist," "a singer songwriter of rare talent" and "absurdly accomplished." Read more

High Hirst Woodmeadow Fungi Survey! Nature enthusiast or mushroom lover? Join the Town Council and National Trust mycologist and ecologist Steve Hindle for the annual fungi survey on Sat 4 November. Read more

The Treasures of the History Archive On the hillside on the way up to Old Town is the Birchcliffe Chapel, housing a remarkable archive of books, papers, deeds and documents cared for by Local History Society. Read report of the talk give by Anne Mealia. 27 Oct

Film Festival 2024 dates and launch film The Hebden Bridge Film Festival has announced its 4th season will take place from 15-17 March next year. But this year's launch film will be "Tish" and shown at the Picture House on 30 Nov 2023. Read more. 26 Oct

A Solo Walk Across Africa The guest speaker at the recent meeting of the University of the Third Age was Fran Sandham, who presented 'A Solo Walk Across Africa', from Namibia on the southwest coast, to Zanzibar in the northeast. Read more 24 October

Blackshaw Head and May's Shop were featured in a Daily Mirror artcile. Locals in village say that have an amazing community with people kind and helpful - and "if you can survive your first winter here you'll stay forever." Read article 21 Oct

Storm Babet - Local flood wardens are warning that flood warnings are probable as 20-40mm of rain is expected over a large coverage area - on higher ground it might be up to 80 mm plus. Keep up to date with the FB group: Calder Valley Flood Support 6pm, 19 Oct.

St James' Parish Church 190th Birthday - The Right Reverend Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, led a service of Holy Communion with Thanksgiving for the 190th Anniversary of the Dedication of Hebden Bridge Parish Church. Read more 16 Oct

Wadsworth Folk: Jack Rutter with special guest, Chris Brain, on Saturday 21st October. After a packed house last weekend's gig, Wadsworth Community Centre next host two compelling solo musicians from Yorkshire making an impact. Read more

New solar panels for Gibson Mill Scaffolding will be wrapped around Gibson Mill from 9 October ahead of replacement solar panels and restoration work on the roof. Read more 4 Oct

Early co-op housing and Hebden Bridge's part in it. The History Society's recent talk was addressed by Andrew Bibby whose latest book focuses on housing co-operatives. Read the report. 2 Oct

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, is being performed at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre from 2-7 October. The director uses physical theatre in the style of Frantic Assembly, involving a lot of dance-like movement.  More info

Large Windfarm proposed for hills above Hebden Bridge England's biggest onshore windfarm is being proposed to be built on 16,000 acres covering Widdop and Wadsworth Moors. If the plan goes ahead, it would also mean the end of grouseshooting at Walshaw. Read more 26 Sept

Calderdale's Year of Culture will run from 6 April 2024 to April 2025, with a variety of cultural, arts, heritage and sports events and festivals across Calderdale, a pathways development programme to encourage people into creative careers, and programmes focusing on heritage and the famous Halifax diarist, Anne Lister. More info 24 Sept

WI Autumn Rag Market A twice yearly Market event for crafters, run by the Hebden Bridge branch of the WI the Rag Market is the perfect place to pick up a bargain for the crafter, sewist, knitter and vintage lover. Read more. 19 Sept

Wadsworth Folk - On 30th September, Wadsworth Community Centre, are hosting Sam Kelly and Jamie Francis with support from folk trio, Hebble. Traditional songs and original music. More details

Pecket Pike Memorial Wadsworth Parish Council is inviting local residents to the 100 year commemoration of Smeekin Hill War Memorial above Pecket Well, at 2pm on Saturday 23 September 2023. Read more.

The Gender Debate: Woman quizzed over sticker Today's Mail Online has a report about a Hebden Bridge woman, retired social worker, being quizzed in her own home by hate-crime police for taking a photo of a sticker that said: 'Keep males out of women-only spaces' - Read the Mail report - see also the several threads in the HebWeb Forum 3 Sept

Calderdale Food Gathering at Halifax Borough Market on Thursday 5 October, with Hebden Bridge groups including Pennine Cropshare and Grow and Graze taking part. More info

Flood Sirens Flood Warning Sirens will be tested on Thursday 28 September 2023 between 11am and 11.15am. Sirens in Hebden Bridge, and Mytholmroyd will sound for two minutes.

Hebden Bridge Clothes Swap Buy less, swap more! Swap in your unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories for new (to you) items at Hebden Bridge Town Hall from 11am - 4pm on Sat 30 September. Read more.

Where have all the insects gone? Dr Chris Hassall spoke at a recent meeting of the University of the Third Age, telling of the benefits of insects to human beings, and talking about their decline worldwide - insectageddon! Read more 25 Sept

Harry Sculthorpe: would have been 100 today, and is remembered by countryside campaigner, Kate Ashbrook, who knew Harry as an anarchist and "as a trenchant defender of paths, access, and green spaces.
See Lives Remembered 22 Sept

Mayor's Civic Service: Mayor, Cllr Bernice Hayes welcomed people from the community to St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd. Read more 19 Sept.

Town Council vacancy A vacancy on the Council has arisen following the resignation of Councillor Sue Fenton.  More info. 14 Sept

Eco-Fair at the Town Hall organised by the Town Council, will run together with the Pumpkin Trail Festival over the weekend of 14-15 October. More info

History at Wainsgate Discover the secrets of Wainsgate Chapel at its Heritage Open Day on 17th September. This Grade II* listed building in Old Town above Hebden Bridge, is set to host an immersive experience of its rich history. Read more 4 Sept

Murphy's Lore: In the latest episode there's stories of mice and men, Bill Gates and witches, dogs as the new babies, there's a golden gastronomic tour, a media star, a golden ball - and a special guest editor! Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 30 August 2023

New Sally Wainwright Drama set in Hebden Bridge. The 6 episodes of Hot Flush centres on the lives of five women of a certain age who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a talent contest. See BBC report 24 Aug

Murphy's Lore: In this episode there's a dirty water demo, tears at long lost families found, a tale from Turvin, hanging men and burning women, Ted hunting pike, an arty party and some mirrored reflections. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 16 August 2023

Brearley Fields wetland nature reserve - Work to create a wetland nature reserve at Brearley Fields in Mytholmroyd is now complete, transforming the former playing fields into a valuable wetland habitat and naturally managing local flood risk. Read more 14 Aug

Little Theatre: Centenary Book Launch on Sunday, 3 September. The book is Hebden Bridge Little Theatre: An Illustrated History 1924-2024 by Vaughan Leslie. Read more.

Bluemoose Books featured in Guardian feature. "The two-up, two-down terraced house on a cobbled Hebden Bridge street does not look like the headquarters of a multi award-winning publishing house." Read article

High Hirst Wood Meadow podcast The latest episode of Real Voices of Happy Valley podcast by Viv and Dave Boardman features a chat with Kerry McQuade and Neil Diment about the High Hirst Wood Meadow Project. Read more 5 Aug

Murphy's Lore: In the latest instalment of Murphy's Lore, there's Maisie Trollette and David Raven, new director Lee Cooper, Sylvia, Ted and a dryad, Sam Fitton and Alan Fowler, award winning Gaia Holmes, a Kraken and remarkable nuns. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 1 August 2023

Born in Bradford On Saturday 30th September at 7.30pm, in the Town Hall, the Lit & Sci are presenting Professor John Wright, chief investigator in the long-term study of Born in Bradford, which asks the question – Can a research study change a city? Read more

Behind the pages of Pennine Pens - In episode 10 of Real Voices of Happy Valley, Hebweb editor Chris Ratcliffe chats with Viv Boardman about the origins of Pennine Pens, Jill Liddington's early work on Anne Lister, creating the Sylvia Plath online forum, Hebweb, View From The Bridge and more. More info. 27 Aug

Flood Alleviation Scheme: Trial hole work a series of trial holes are to be dug around the town during September, October and November, in order to fully map the various utility services beneath. More info 25 Aug

The Sun and the Northern Lights - Speaker Martin Lunn told a recent meeting of the University of the Third Age all about the Northern Lights, star nurseries, the solar wind, the Van Allen Belt and solar storms. Read more 20 Aug

Fun in the rain - Twinning Society Garden Party! £153 was raised which will be used to entertain friends from St Pol-sur-Ternoise, Warstein and Paratico when they visit us. Read more 14 Aug.

"Calderdale Libraries Hide Feminist Books" is the title of a new thread on the discussion forum. The HebWeb has raised the issue with Calderdale Council. Read messages and see BBC article - updated 9 Aug 2023

Extinction Rebellion protest in Hebden Bridge, against Yorkshire Water using the region's rivers as a dumping ground for effluent — and sometimes raw sewage. They claim that the River Calder is the 2nd most polluted river in Britain. See Morning Star report 4 Aug

Eco-Hanging Baskets Blooming  The area is looking increasingly vibrant, thanks to the beautiful hanging baskets in front of shops and on lamp posts throughout Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Ongoing watering and feeding should ensure the blooms stay radiant throughout the summer, and into October. Read more 3 Aug

Town Council Offices have moved The old offices located on the upper floor of Hebden Bridge Town Hall posed challenges in terms of accessibility and visibility to the public. So now the Town Council has moved its offices downstairs. Read more 27 July

Mytholmroyd Station Building Re-opening Plans might be for Ticket offices to close, but the former Station Building at Mytholmroyd is starting to re-open – after 40 plus years! Read more 24 July

The Ground Floor at the Trades Club Statement from the Club Management Committee. Following recent discussions on Facebook and in the community, the Management Committee want to clarify their position regarding the potential re-development. Read more 22 July

Murphy's Lore: In episode 36, a Merriman makes us despair at Hebden Bridge station, but don't think of going abroad for your summer vacation, a great writer is shocked, and a goat is unfrocked, but beware Siren calls when you near Lumb Falls! Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 19 July 2023

THE HEBWEB INTERVIEW: In this latest interview, George Murphy meets Andrew Smith, The Smithery B&B owner. Discover how his early fascination with photography, and friendship with fellow law student, Keir Starmer, made headline news in recent times and much more in the Andrew Smith interview

Happy Valley Pride Announce 2023 Programme West Yorkshire's week-long queer arts festival runs from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 July and celebrates LGBTQIA+ life in Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Mytholmroyd and surrounding areas. Read more

Save our stations! Calderdale Labour councillors have slammed new proposals to close ticket offices at stations serving the Calder Valley line, calling for members of the public to join them in campaigning against the cuts. Read more 6 July

Murphy's Lore: In episode 35, there's nymphs and sirens to beware for amped up buskers in the square, and strange street games from yesteryear, the philosophy of Sylvia Plath, events at Lords, Elton declares, I Quasimodo up the stairs, a dream of Cliff as Peter Pan, a never ageing Glasto man. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 4 July 2023

Dara McAnulty in conversation with Amanda Dalton The Lit & Sci is collaborating with Hebden Bridge Arts as part of their Open Space 70 festival for this event with young environmentalist and author Dara McAnulty, on 14 July. More info

Luddenden dances for charity Every year sees a new Mayor in the village of Luddenden. This year's Mayor, Taylor Singleton, recentlv become a new mum to 8 week old Norie, chose to do a 10 hour Dance-A-Thon for the Charity MIND. Read more 28 July

The Happy Valley Pride Big Day Out takes place this Saturday (29 July) as part of West Yorkshire's week-long queer arts festival, in Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge from 11am to 6pm. More info

Flood Alert for the Upper Calder Valley. River levels are rising and are expected to peak in the morning of Sunday, 23 July. See Environment Agency and Calder Valley Flood Support Facebook page.

Town Council to host Retrofit Workshop: The workshop introducing Retrofit on Sat, 16 September at the Town Hall will provide in-depth info on how to reduce energy bills and make homes more energy efficient. Read more

Ian McMillan's The Verb recorded for BBC Radio in front of a live audience at the Trades Club, Hebden Bridge. Listen now 17 July

Ed Sheeran's act of kindness The team at Calder Community Kindness organised a rather special birthday surprise for their Friday volunteer Toby Taylor, thanks to the global superstar. Read more. 15 July

Station booking office closure demo The news of proposed closure of the booking office at Hebden Bridge station has provoked outrage. A quickly arranged protest brought out more than 50 people in the rain to make clear that this booking office is valued by the community. Read more 12 July - see BBC News item

Moth Survey At the moth survey at High Hirst Woodmeadow, the Town Council's biodiversity hotspot, a total of 77 moth species were recorded. Read more 6 July

Immerse yourself in a Journey of Music and Nature - Propellor Presents Flight // In Conversation, 15 July, Hebden Bridge - a realm of extraordinary atmosphere and inspiration. Read more 5 July

Travel improvements around Hebden Bridge Work is progressing on the road improvement programme which aims to improve journey times, address long-standing issues with congestion, and support cycling and walking. Read more 3 July 2023

Rebuilding Calder High - Head speaks to Channel 4 News Tony Guise, the Head Teacher of Calder High School, was interviewed on Channel 4 News on Wednesday 28 June about the state of school buildings. Read more along with links to HebWeb reports from 2009, 2011 and 2015.

New Book on the Little Theatre The Centenary Album - Hebden Bridge Little Theatre: An Illustrated History 1924-2024 by Vaughan Leslie. Read more 28 June

Wanted: Trades Club memories - The Club is organising a centenary event next year. A group has been set up to organise the 100th anniversary celebrations and are appealing for memories and artifacts. Read more 26 June

Tales of a Customs Officer The speaker at the June University of the Third Age meeting was Brian Topping who explained how the nature of the job had changed over the years, and narrated some serious, and some amusing, anecdotes. Read more 25 June

The HebWeb Interview award winning poet Sammy Weaver discusses her early life and how poetry helped her to cope with a family tragedy. Having been a prison educator and writing tutor, she shares her strong convictions on the need for prison reform. Discover her unconventional career path, leading, via life in a circus, to work as Deputy Director of Lumb Bank. Read all 30+ HebWeb Interviews

Join the Hebden Bridge Film Festival Board The Festival is recruiting new Board members for its fourth festival, taking place on 15-17 March 2024. More info 16 June

Upper Heyford Peace Blockade: 40 years on - A recent reunion of anti-nuclear protesters marked the anniversary of one of UK's largest ever civil disobedience events (752 arrests). Coachloads from Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley joined the protests. Read more 15 June

Camera Club Annual Exhibition 2023 The exhibition is a showcase for the work of club members and will open 10am-4pm from 26 August to 2 September at the Town Hall. Above: last year's winner, 'Eaves Wood' by Chris Scarborough. Click image to enlarge. More info and photos.

Paper birds symbol for Refugee Week exhibition St Augustine's Centre in Halifax is asking for people across our area to create paper birds with messages of compassion and welcome to form part of a flock exhibited at Artworks Halifax during Refugee Week in late June. Read more

Pétanque evening for Twinning Society The Twinning Society enjoyed an entertaining and instructive evening on Friday, 2nd June, honing and developing their skills in playing pétanque (boules). Read more

Improved access to High Hirst Woodmeadow Hebden Royd Town Council is pleased to announce the completion of a level access footpath at its local biodiversity hotspot.
Read more 2 June

Hebden Bridge Arts fun this July - environmental arts festival: Open Space 70, taking place from 13-16 July 2023 in Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas. This vibrant celebration merges creativity, nature, and the urgent call of the climate emergency.  Read more 30 June

July road improvements in Hebden Bridge Calderdale Council is carrying out work on Market Street and Bridge Lanes in Hebden Bridge, between Holme Street and Mytholm Close, involving the planing and resurfacing of the carriageway. Read more 29 June

Podcast: Real Voices of Happy Valley Our area has been on TV a lot recently. In this new podcast series, Real Voices of Happy Valley, Viv and Dave Boardman aim to bring the real people of the Upper Valley to the fore. Read more 27 June

New chapter for Hope Baptist Church On 30 July, there will be a service to mark the handover of the Church to a new team of trustees. Built in 1857, over £1.3 million was raised to restore the church, and to enable it to recover from three major floods. Read more. Monday, 26 June 2023

Cream tea and plant sale success On a sunny 4th June, this event in Todmorden, which included live music and also the sale of hand-thrown pots, raised the record sum of £1600 for Survivors of Torture Activity Fund. Organsers express heartfelt thanks to all who contributed. 24 June

Murphy's Lore: In Episode 34 there's Vox pop on a pole; a trip to a theatre, tonsils and a saint, a serial loser and a man manning up, Heptonstall for all seasons, fathers and brass - and readers who wrote. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 21 June 2023

Gallows Pole brings more visitors The Guardian reports a surge of visitors captivated by the true story of illegal coin-minting operation. Read Guardian article 18 June

Take a dive into the World Of Retrofit The Town Council, in partnership with Retrofit Calderdale Green New Deal, invite you to consider retrofit at Hebden Bridge Town Hall Foyer on Friday, 16th June, from 9am to 3pm. Read more 15 June

Moonwort found in the Crags An incredibly rare species of fern has been found in fields at Hardcastle Crags. Moonwort hasn't been recorded in Calderdale for 40 years. Read more. 12 June

Making Friends Community Kitchen - There will be an opportunity to enjoy tasty Syrian food when the Friends of the Picture House host a Community Kitchen event at Hope Baptist Church on Saturday, 17 June from 12.30pm-3pm. Read more

Murphy's Lore: In episode 33 of series 3, there's a Meadows and a Myers, theres a Saint, a Blossom Tour, a Cathedral, and other views to behold, a novel to be sold, terrible injustices and one close to home, and the mystery of Mr E. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 6 June 2023

Free community events to celebrate National Meadows Day Hebden Royd Town Council has announced a vibrant line-up of free community events, celebrating National Meadows Day, on Saturday, July 1. Read more

Hali-wood With the BBC2 adaptation of the Ben Myers novel The Gallows Pole starting this Wednesday, 31 May, today's Observer has a piece on filming in Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Calderdale. Read article 28 May

The Amazing Rise of the People's Own Shops You always remember your Co-op Number. At the recent University of the 3rd Age meeting, Dr Stephen Caunce explained that the unique feature of the Co-op was that shoppers would not be just customers, but shareholders in the venture. Read more 25 May

Charlestown Open Gardens: Six Charlestown gardens will be open to visitors on Sunday, June 11 – a début event for this tucked-away area of Hebden Bridge. Read more

Calder Grub Hub needs volunteers to help with a range of jobs including cooking, serving, setting up, washing up, clearing up or being on hand to help where needed and fundraising. Read more 21 May

The Gallows Pole on BBC2, 31 May. Based on the book by local writer, Benjamin Myers, the series is a fictionalised take on the true story of David Hartley and the Cragg Vale Coiners. See Radio Times article.

Tech Festival returns to Hebden Bridge for the first time since 2019. Ten years of Wuthering Bytes! 25-27 August 2023. Talks, workshops and live demonstrations designed to feed the curiosity in technology. Read more 17 May

Sarah McQuaid and Dale Storr bring music to Wainsgate Chapel over the weekend of 20-21 May. More info

Murphy's Lore: In episode 31 there's how we colour in nature, a tapas and bar, a squeeze in a cafe, a failure to BOGOF, a young lord laid low, baby toads swallowed whole, a fairy tale, an absent king and race at the races. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 9 May 2023

THE HEBWEB INTERVIEW: JOHN PICKERING In this latest interview from George Murphy, discover the key role played by Hebden Bridge solicitor John Pickering in supporting workers and families seeking compensation and justice after what he described as the greatest disaster in Britain's industrial history, at Acre Mill in Old Town. And how John and his colleagues worked to reveal the tragic consequences of all those exposed to asbestos. Read all 30+ HebWeb Interviews 5 May

Cragg Vale's Collinge Climb England's longest continuous gradient is now named after Oliver Collinge, who sadly lost his life in July 2016, aged 28. Read more 1 May

Protecting our countryside Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, Calderdale Council is reminding residents and landowners of the risk of wildfires on local moorlands and how they can be prevented. Read more 26 May

Criminal Coiners: Life and Death in Wild West Yorkshire, is the first exhibition at the Heptonstall Museum when it re-opens on Saturday. Read more

Murphy's Lore: In episode 32, there's highs and lows, the Gallows Pole, getting heads on beds, Polly Price and Uncle Liam, injustice and mistrials, readers letters and Fiery Jack! Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 23 May 2023

Valley Organics is 10!
Valley Organics Workers Co-op would like to thank all our customers, suppliers, and loanstockers for their support. over the past 10 years. Celebrate in store throughout June. See website   19 May 2023

A New Mayor for Hebden Royd On 17th May, the Annual Meeting of Hebden Royd Town Counciil saw Cllr Bernice Hayes take the chain for the Mayoral year of 2023/24. The Deputy Mayor will be Cllr Pat Fraser. Read more

Hebden Bridge's Jane Scullion to lead Calderdale Cllr Scullion has been Deputy Leader for 4 years and is about to take over as leader of Calderdale Council from Tim Swift Read more 12 May

Girls AlLowed each Friday from 5.30pm in the park. When women and girls feel unsafe, they're less likely to use, enjoy and benefit from parks. Read more 9 May

Hebden Bridge Arts Trail Hebden Bridge Arts is inviting local people to share something they've created on the theme of environment / climate emergency as part of their Open Space 70 Arts Trail, running over 15-16 July.  More info

Group Practice Patient Survey
Click here to take part. Paper copies available at surgeries. Last date: Monday, 15 May.

Disability Access Forum resumes Town Hall meetings They will continue to meet in the Town Hall on the third Monday afternoon of each month. Read more 4 May

Murphy's Lore: In episode 30 of Murphy's Lore Season 3, there's the word on the street, Sat Nav meanders, mini breaks and manor houses, two Mr Bigs and one Little John, an Android Hospital, asbestos updates, John Cooper Clarke and much more. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 25 April 2023

Easter Island Susan Rogers told a University of the 3rd Age meeting last week about Easter Island.  No authentic original written records exist about the people who lived there before the 17th century.  Read more 25 April 2023

A French flavour to Mytholmroyd The Twinning Society enjoyed a delightful evening at the Blue Teapot on Friday, 21 April at an "Apéro". Read more

Hebden Bridge WI Spring Rag Market Saturday 22 April. The Rag Market is a twice yearly event run by Hebden Bridge WI to raise funds for their Charity of the Year which this year is Todmorden Foodbank. Read more

Music at Wadsworth Community Centre with Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow on Saturday 29th April, with cask ales, pie and peas and a warm welcome. More info

A part of Hebden Bridge in Paris, Texas When St John's Church in Birchcliffe was converted into houses, parts of it went to Holy Cross Church (USA) who are celebrating 150 years, and would like to see more old photos of St Johns. Read more 11 April

Quartet - this April, at the Little Theare. The stage play, which was also a highly-acclaimed film starring Billy Connolly and Maggie Smith, focuses on four retired opera singers in a care home. Read more

Town Council stays Labour Labour retain control of Hebden Royd Town Council without a vote being cast. Five of the six wards had only three candidates meaning all were elected. Read more 5 April

Calderdale Elections The list of candidates for the 4 May elections was published at 4pm. Five candidates are competing for the Calder ward seat (covering Hebden Bridge) on Calderdale Council and 4 candidates are competing for the Luddendenfoot ward (covering Mytholmroyd) More info 5 April

Scarecrow Festival until 8 May, organised by Heptonstall School PFA. More info

Station parking ticket system suspended People parking at the station will no longer be required to get a ticket from the booking office to say they are rail users, and then return to their vehicle to display the ticket. 26 April 2023

A Taste of the Fells Calder Valley Fell Runners' introduction to fell running group, 'A taste of the fells', returns on Tuesday evenings from 2nd May to 6th June. Read more

Whatever happened to Happy Valley? Most people who've lived in the area a while will know Dave Boardman and appreciate all he has done for our community. Now he and his wife Viv are moving away. They cite a 'toxic storm of intolerance' and lack of support from friends, especially those in the Labour Party, for their efforts to stand by their daughter who has been 'unfairly dismissed' from her teaching job for her views on biological sex. Read more 14 April

Music at Wainsgate: Tania Opland and Mike Freeman, Anglo-Alaskan Acoustic World Music Duo play Wainsgate on Sunday, 23 April. More info

Murphy's Lore: In the latest episode of Murphy's Lore, there's Good Friday Pace Egging and skipping, a catalogue of gaffes, merkins and muffs, an MBE and a change of MC, readers writing, the people's game, poetry and bands and capable hands. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 11 April 2023

No Handmade Parade this year Funding has not been made available for a Parade this year, report the Handmade Parade on their Facebook Page 4 April

Action needed on blanket bogs on our peat uplands Hebden Royd Town Council's Climate Emergency Committee has recently reviewed important new research on the health and condition of the peat uplands surrounding the district. Read more 4 April

The 1922 General Election and the Calder Valley (with an appearance by the Socialist Cat). Aalan Fowler told The Local History Society that the years following WW1 were times of great social change, and the 1922 election took place amid national and international turmoil. Read more 30 March

New Ways of Exploring the Universe: Report Professor Tim O'Brien addressed a sold-out lecture of the Lit&Sci about the universe, black holes microwaves and other rays, dark matter and much more. More info. 23 March 2023

Women: The Magnificent 7 Speaker Barrie J. Yates told a recent meeting of the University of the 3rd Age about 7 remarkable women including Hedy Lamarr, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin and Ada Lovelace. Read more 22 March

Twinning Society Spring Quiz - quiz hosts were Pat Fraser and Viv Boardman whose questions were entertaining and testing. Read more 20 March

Job Vacancy: with Hebden Royd Town Council for a Community Development and Communications Officer. More info here 17 March

Murphy's Lore: The latest episode asks: Is reincarnation making a comeback? There's a massacre in the brassica, final proof of a poetic talent, a saline solution to slugs, soccer defiance through the ages, rebel girls, a teacher turnover and more! Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 14 March 2023

Film Festival: Full programme now available - Hebden Bridge Film Festival (HBFF) has unveiled its full 2023 line-up, which features a host of award-winning and critically acclaimed international and homegrown films, including three UK premieres. More info. 10 March 2023

Lives Remembered: Jocelin Black Jocelin died peacefully a few days before her 96th birthday and will be remembered locally as a teacher, poet, political and social activist. Jocelin was a fierce opponent of any injustice, iniquity or inequality that she saw. Read more 3 March

Film Festival: First films announced:A Good Person, Blue Jean and The Blue Caftan are amongst the features being screened as part of the festival, which takes place across Hebden Bridge Picture House and Hebden Bridge Town Hall from 24th to 26th March.  Read more

Murphy's Lore: In episode 28, spring has sprung, there's card art and art art, missing police, bees, but no Sting, poets in pubs, a Scott in a shop, a cure for prosopagnosa, men with perms, a search for the Cathars, and the sex life of slugs and other animals. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 28 March 2023

Wetland nature reserve at Brearley Fields Work is due to begin on the creation of a new wetland nature reserve at Brearley Fields in Mytholmroyd, featuring a new footpath, and 2 large ponds and a temporary pond which will fill as the river naturally rises, providing a crucial habitat for a range of species. Read more 21 March

50 Green Belt sites earmarked for development in Calderdale. Campaigners are calling for people to lobby outside Halifax Town Hall on Weds 22 March at 5pm. Updated. Read more

Heptonstall Pace Egg Play The usual "raggle taggle band of Players" will be at Weavers Square, Heptonstall, Good Friday, 7 April. More info, photos and times.
See completely revised HebWeb feature with hundreds of Pace Egg play photos going back many years, along with differing explanations, thoughts and theories on the origins of the plays.

Traditional food in Calderdale - Speaker Peter Brears talk to the Local History Society was about the traditional food of Calderdale - the upland farms with spring water, peat for fuel, cows, pigs and the staple food: oats. Read more 12 Mar

Music at Wainsgate: A new season of concerts at Wainsgate Chapel kicks off on Sunday, 26 March with a double-header concert given by Alyssium and The Ruth Gardziel Trio. Read more 11 March

Rochdale Canal improvements: have your say People are invited to have their say on options to improve the accessibility and preserve the heritage of Kilnhurst Weir along the Rochdale Canal between Luddenden Foot and Todmorden. Read more 2 March

New Ways of Exploring the Universe The next Lit & Sci event will be on Sat 18 March when Prof Tim O'Brien will showcase some of the most spectacular astronomical images and discoveries of recent times. More info

Celebrating Women Everywhere A celebration of International Women's Day on Sunday 5th March (ahead of time) at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge with 'amazing' female talent. Earlier, in the afternoon: Well Women 'Drop in'. Read more

Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher's former Press Secretary, who started his career on the Hebden Bridge Times, has died. Click here to read some of the coverage of Bernard Ingham by the HebWeb over the past 25+ years 24 Feb

Allotment Arts project launch - Hebden Bridge Arts is delighted to launch its Allotment Arts projects, with a meeting for all interested allotment holders to come along and find out more, a week on Saturday, 4 March. Read more

Hebden Royd's Big Spring Clean It's Spring Clean time and Hebden Royd Town Council is inviting budding litter pickers to tidy up a space in Hebden Royd. £60 to each community group team of six. Read more 22 Feb

Murphy's Lore: In episode 25, there's a Happy Valley reflection, a memory of Ciara, talking shops, a woman hanging, men talking and a man of few words, a walk on the Long Causeway, a proper dad and his fridge, Valentine greetings from the past, and an actor's pride. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 14 Feb 2023

Filming is Booming with 27 film and TV productions in Hebden Bridge and Calderdale during 2022. Marvel's Secret Invasion, The Gallows Pole, Full Monty 2 and Boat Story are some of the productions we can expect to see soon. Read more about filming in our area. 10 Feb

Belinda O'Hooley plays Wadsworth 25 Feb. A gifted pianist, singer, song writer and composer who, with her wife Heidi Tidow, created the title song for Gentleman Jack. Belinda also appeared as DCS Liz Thornton in Happy Valley. Read more. 9 Feb

Photographer raises money for Calder Food Support - Mytholmroyd  photographer, Roger O'Doherty, presented Calder Food Support with a cheque for £3,510 at their meeting on Thursday evening. Read more 3 Feb

Murphy's Lore: In the latest episode of Murphy's Lore, there's a canal with a makeover, time travellers endangering granddads, Happy Valley coach tours, ancient sex toys, Ukraine one year on, people photos, a painful look at Shingles, kids creating online, a poet recalled and readers who've written. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 28 Feb 2023

Calderdale Industrial Museum Peter Robinson told the Local History Society the story of the museum, from the early history of the building to the ups and downs of the museum over the past 40 years. Read more 28 Feb

Town Council Budget For the year 2023-2024, the Town Council budget will tackle the Climate Emergency, the Cost of Living Crisis and support the Hebden Bridge Picture House. Read more 25 Feb

The Great American Songbook Speaker Roger Browne told the University of the 3rd Age about his interest in American music. Roger, a jazz pianist, who has performed with many well-known singers and musicians, has directed large-scale musicals. He told the University of the 3rd Age about his interest in American music. Read report 23 Feb

StoryTrails virtual reality experience is part of the Hebden Bridge Film Festival at the end of March. The immersive storytelling project brings stories to life using augmented and virtual reality. More info 20 Feb

A New Cold War with Russia? A public meeting on 7 March will discuss the current unstable world of increased militarism and renewed global nuclear threats. And what can be done. Read more

Scandal! Local cases before the bawdy courts Anne Mealia told the History Society how, years ago, cases which came before the bawdy courts dealt with offences against Church law, including offences of spiritual and moral misbehaviour, often involving drink and sex. Read more 11 Feb

Osborne Street update Hebden Royd Town Council resolved to recommend refusal. See Planning Watch for more info. 5 Feb

Life in the real Happy Valley As millions prepare to watch the last thrilling episode of Happy Valley filmed around here, more of the media are publishing articles about our area. See this BBC feature. 5 Feb

Murphy's Lore: Episode 24 of Season 3 is a Happy Valley special, including 007 in the dentist's, a poetry slam at the Trades, the mind's eye on the radio, Hippy Valley in the Sunday Times Home section, The Sun knocks Hebden Bridge, the duck bill platypus in ancestry and philosophy, whisky George, shaggy dogs and The Todmorden Triangle. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 31 Jan 2023

Hebden Bridge Film Festival returns for 2023 Following a break in 2022, Hebden Bridge Film Festival is set to return from 24th to 26th March, showcasing a range of independent films from around the world, including the latest short film from Maxine Peake. Read more 25 Jan

Female Suffrage "It wasn't all about the Pankhursts." Speaker Charlotte Gringras told a recent University of Third age meeting that she wasn't a historian, she began to research the suffragette movement after two discoveries about her family. Read more 24 Jan

Daily Mirror - "Hebden Bridge:What life's really like in Happy Valley". Read more 21 Jan

Covid numbers: lowest for nearly 3 years: less than 3 cases in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, and 5 cases in Tod for the week to 14 Jan. The rate per 100K for Calderdale as a whole is 18 - the lowest figures for nearly 3 years - and for England 28. Read more. 19 Jan 2023

Murphy's Lore: In the latest episode of Murphy's Lore, there's the return of GPs, one dodgy knee, two painful maladies, a Happy Valley trio, a dead poet who comes alive, monologues and rock and roll,  and pre loved sex toys!. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 17 Jan 2023

Anne Lister talk at Wadsworth Community Centre (4 Feb) with Jill Liddington, celebrated Mytholmroyd author and historian, and Hebden Bridge's Rachel Lappin, a volunteer at Shibden Hall. Read more 12 Jan

Are you an Archers fan? Liz John has been writing for The Archers for more than 6 years, and will be talking to the Hebden Bridge Lit&Sci on Saturday 21 January. More info

Calder Valley Voices choir sing 'Who Made the NHS sick?' Choir singing support for striking nurses goes viral. Within 12 hours of being uploaded on Facebook it had been viewed 2000 times. Read more and view 9 Jan

Grants available for community projects: Local community groups running events and projects to support local towns, people and the environment are invited to apply for grants from a £70,000 Council funding pot.  Read more 6 Jan

Hebden Bridge bids farewell to Happy Valley - "the gritty drama that has put the area firmly on the tourist map," according to today's Observer. The third and final series started on 1 Jan and can be seen here on BBC iPlayer.
Read Observer article 1 Jan

New Year Lunch for Twinning Society - Twenty-one members of the Hebden Bridge Twinning Society met at our New Year Lunch at the Aya Sophia on Sunday and a great time was had by all. Read more 31 Jan

17th Century Farmhouses of the Calder Valley Peter Thornborrow explained to Hebden Bridge Local History Society how his love for the West Yorkshire buildings of 17th century shaped his life and career. Read report. 28 Jan

Balmoral Street Sinkhole appeared at New Year opposite Stubbings School on the site of 1880s housing demolished in the early 70s See photos 27 Jan

Be flood aware In the run up to the third anniversary of flooding in Calderdale caused by Storm Ciara, a new campaign is launching to remind people to check their flood preparation plans. Read more. 24 Jan

Choir Seeks New Singers If your New Year's resolution was to take up a new activity, perhaps consider joining The Young At Heart Singers who meet every Tuesday at Mytholm Court, Hebden Bridge. More info 20 Jan

A Victorian artist paints the Upper Calder Valley - Diana Monahan and Justine Wyatt told the Local History Society about discovering the landscape paintings of John Holland. Read more 17 Jan

Bridge across the Generations will be screened at Mytholmroyd Community Centre at 11am on Sat 21st Jan. The film is a collaboration between local older people and local primary school children. More info 16 Jan

Folk Music at Wadsworth Community Centre. Two nationally acclaimed musicians play Wadsworth Community Centre, Old Town as part of Independent Venue Week. Read more 12 Jan

Photo ID required to vote at elections in May. For the first time, voters across the country will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year's local elections. Read more 12 Jan

Acclaimed folk acapella from USA Music lovers in the valley are in for a rare treat on Tues Jan 24th when acclaimed American folk harmony quartet Windborne perform at St Mary's Church, Tod. Read more. 8 Jan

Murphy's Lore: In this festive episode, there's bats and a creepy Claus, Jack and Jill in the kitchen and jammers in jumpers, Father and Mother Christmas, a girl in a sock, a sleep talking guy, a George with 2 mums, lionesses and shaggy dog, Hebden Bridge in the sunshine and on the telly. Read the latest Murphy's Lore. 3 Jan 2023