Christmas Tree Sale and Lights Switch On

It’s all happening in Weavers Square on Saturday 6 December, with a Christmas Tree Sale from 3pm to raise funds for Heptonstall Lights and Planting.

Hot chocolate, warm fruit drink and hot chestnuts will be served. The sale will be followed at 5.30pm with the big lights switch on and raffle draw (tickets on sale beforehand in the pubs and on the night in the square.

Music will be provided by Hebden Bridge Brass Band. Pie, mince pies and mulled wine will be served.

Pets Service at St Thomas’ church

Today is the Feast of St Francis of Assisi and tomorrow, Sunday  5 October, St Thomas’ Church, Heptonstall, will be celebrating it by having a Pets Service. Rev Howard Pask said: “Everyone is welcome to come along at 9.15am and bring their  pets, small or large, and they will be blessed during the service.”

 

Music and fair trade at St Thomas

Two choirs will sing music including Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor at a concert at St Thomas Church, Heptonstall during the annual Fair Trade weekend.

The Halifax Chamber Choir and Leeds Guild of Singers will also perform music by Ravel, Mauersberger and others on Saturday, November 15 at 8pm. Tickets will cost £8 on the door (concessions £6).

The Fair Trade event will open on Friday, November 14, and run until Sunday, November 16. A wide variety of Traidcraft goods will be available including toys, food, Christmas cards and much more.

Lumb Bank open to the public

Ted Hughes’ former home at Lumb Bank will be open to the public as part of the national Fun Palace day on Saturday, 4 October.

There will be a range of activities for all ages, including an interactive writing treasure trail, lantern-making, drop-in art and nature workshops, music, tea and homemade cake, tours of the house including the chance to meet Arvon writing tutors, an open mic reading and a fire garden finale. Entry is free.

The idea of a Fun Palace was conceived in the late 1950s by radical theatre director Joan Littlewood as a laboratory of fun, combining populist and high culture, art and science. Despite years of development, no Fun Palaces were ever built. But they didn’t stop being a great idea, as writer Stella Duffy realised when she began encouraging venues across the UK to become pop-up Fun Palaces to celebrate the centenary of Littlewood’s birth.

Already 100 Fun Palaces are on the map, from the RSC to the Southbank Centre and the People’s History Museum in Manchester, spreading the ethos that ‘culture’ is by and for the people – and if it’s not, then it should be

Programme:

Take a tour of Ted Hughes’ former home
Meet Arvon’s creative writing tutors and the Lumb Bank team
Discover our interactive writing trail around the grounds and meet the writers

Drop into our family friendly artist led workshops

Enjoy the music and try our tea, cake and Lumb Bank lemonade
and more…..

Call in any time from 2pm, with a short film about Lumb Bank and tours starting at 3pm.
2.30pm Hebden Bridge Junior Brass Band
2.30pm – 4.30pm Drop In Workshops
Making A Lantern with Kerith Ogden & Making A Giant Iron Man Comic with Lou Crosby
3.30pm Norden Saxophone Quartet
4.30pm ‘Oh What A Lovely War’ songs by Halifax Thespians
5.30pm Open Mic. Perform your own creative work.
6.30pm Fire Garden Finale and Farewell created by Kerith Ogden Handmade Parade and Walk The Plank.

This is a free event.
Please no cars down the lane.
Call 01422 845718 for more info.

Events at the Methodist Church

Publication1250 ANNIVERSARY-page-0

The Methodist Church is preparing for its 250th anniversary celebrations and all are welcome. Ellane Male Voice Choir will sing on Saturday, 11 October, at 7.30pm, and the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Kenneth Howcroft, will lead a circuit service on Sun, 12 October, at 3pm

More dates for your diary include:

Wed, Oct 15, 2pm, Ladies Evening, speaker Mrs Linda Powell. Gifts for stall begin with letter N.
Sun, Nov 9, 9.15am, at St Thomas’, Village Remembrance Service.
Wed, Nov 12, 2pm, Ladies Evening, speaker Revd Christine Perry. Gifts for stall begin with letter O.
Sat, Nov 15, 11am, in the Methodist Sunday School. Christmas Fair. Lunches from 12 noon. Stalls, games etc.
Early Dec, Ladies Evening Christmas Party, date and time tbc.
Sun, Dec 21, 10.45am, Nativity Service at Methodist Church. Children needed. Details later.
Sun, Dec 21, 6.30pm, Village carol service at the Methodist Church.
Thurs, Dec 25, 9.15am, at St Thomas’. Joint village Christmas Day service.

Children’s Service at Methodist Chapel

The Sunday School Anniversary service will be held on Sunday, June 15, at 10.45am. The service will be led by well-known local preacher (and much-loved former pantomime dame) Roger Munday. There will be items by the children and all are welcome.

http://heptonstallchapel.weebly.com/events-and-services.html

 

Hide and Seek in Heptonstall Old Church

Someone’s been having fun hiding kitchenalia and a teddy in Heptonstall Old Church, and has created a panoramic picture of the results. See if you can find them all.

http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=8e214404-d777-498d-ae50-be483e5714c8

2014 Fell Race Results

Fell race results courtesy of Stephen Grimley. Well done to all who took part. Provisional results are below – please let us know if you spot any errors, typos etc.

Position Name Club Category Time Number
Position Name Club Category Time Number
1 Adam Osborne Leeds City AC m 1:54:10 418
2 Joe Mercer Horwich RMI m 2:00:27 464
3 Chris Farrell Horwich RMI m 2:00:55 461
4 Kim Collinson Borrowdale Fell Runners M 2:01:09 358
5 Tom Brunt Dark peak V40* 2:04:20 507
6 Colin Walker Pudsey and Bramley V40 2:06:34 376
7 David Jackson Horwich RMI V40 2:10:51 460
8 Jonny Mclean Holmfirth Harriers m 2:11:10 542
9 Graeme Brown Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:11:13 555
10 Michael Hyde Stadium Runners m 2:12:06 530
11 Jason Hemsley Wharfedale Harriers V40 2:12:33 508
12 Kev Folan ua10 V40 2:13:34 521
13 David Haygarth Wharfedale Harriers V40 2:14:14 366
14 Will Buckton Ilkley Harriers m 2:14:16 549
15 Matt Huxford ua5 m 2:14:17 399
16 Kevin Hoult Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:15:03 425
17 Daniel Shaw Holmfirth Harriers m 2:15:37 397
18 Garry Wilkinson Clayton Le Moors V40 2:15:42 351
19 Jonathan Collins Stainland Lions m 2:17:14 463
20 Gary Pearse Blackburn Harriers V40 2:18:57 481
21 Steve Coates East Hull Harriers V40 2:19:14 469
22 John Marsham Valley Striders m 2:20:01 451
23 Ben Crowther Todmorden Harriers V40 2:20:03 553
24 Liam Bough Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:20:24 466
25 Leigh Hinchcliffe Pudsey Pacers V40 2:20:28 457
26 Rob Weir Barlick Fell Runners m 2:21:03 511
27 Mark O’Connor Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:21:28 509
28 (lady 1) Jo Buckley Calder Valley Fell Runners l* 2:21:32 477
29 Bill Johnson Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:21:48 491
30 Ian Furlong Abbey m 2:21:58 501
31 Andy Berry Barlick Fell Runners m 2:22:09 510
32 Ian Rowbotham Harrogate harriers V50* 2:22:24 437
33 Stephen Booth ua3 V50 2:22:36 382
34 David Bagot Clayton Harriers m 2:22:54 419
35 Paul Booth Pennine Fell Runners m 2:23:08 484
36 Jon Tinman Rossendale V40 2:23:37 387
37 Charlie McIntosh Pudsey and Bramley V40 2:23:44 367
38 Chris Whiteoak Wharfedale Harriers m 2:24:00 415
39 Adam Holloway FRA V40 2:24:35 398
40 Scott Smith Holmfirth Harriers m 2:24:41 543
41 Jake Turnbull Harrogate harriers m 2:25:03 438
42 Iain Glendinning Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:25:13 506
43 Peter Hughes Queensbury V50 2:25:16 379
44 Giles Bailey Meltham AC V40 2:25:28 427
45 Mark Ellithorn Chorley V40 2:25:30 371
46 Mick Loftus Valley Striders V40 2:25:57 411
47 Tristan Sheard Stainland Lions V40 2:26:04 462
48 Ben Clare Queensbury m 2:26:26 498
49 Jonathan Emberton Calder Valley Fell Runners V50 2:26:35 499
50 Mark Wharton Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:26:45 426
51 Jamie Hutchinson Ilkley Harriers V40 2:27:23 475
52 Greg Weatherhead Abbey m 2:27:32 504
53 Martin Kitchin ua1 M 2:27:44 360
54 Jerome McAllister FRA m 2:28:04 514
55 Patrick Brennan Rossendale M 2:28:11 372
56 Simon Vallance Valley Striders V40 2:28:12 409
57 Graham Hill Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:28:34 395
58 Clive Bandy Valley Striders m 2:29:11 439
59 Rob Gray Todmorden Harriers m 2:29:14 552
60 Michael Griffin Wharfedale Harriers V40 2:29:47 546
61 Tim Culshaw ua8 m 2:30:02 496
62 Mike Nelson Macclesfield V40 2:30:23 488
63 David Ralphs Newburgh Nomads V50 2:31:05 403
64 Ross Bibby Valley Striders m 2:31:33 456
65 Dan Marsden Stainland Lions m 2:31:43 458
66 Rob Grantham Cheshire Hill Racers V40 2:32:05 431
67 Jonathan Frost East Hull Harriers m 2:32:08 472
68 Carl Bedson Glossopdale V40 2:32:42 355
69 Richard Sunderland Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:32:51 476
70 Andreas Mayer Valley Striders m 2:33:09 447
71 Greg Carns St Helens Sutton AC V40 2:33:16 468
72 Steven Foley Newburgh Nomads V40 2:33:35 391
73 Iain Powell Calder Valley Fell Runners m 2:33:40 407
74 Phil Hobbs Holmfirth Harriers V40 2:33:50 413
75 Rob Parker ua2 V40 2:35:42 368
76 Adrian Kenney Fellandale m 2:36:01 517
77 Robert Bolton ua9 V40 2:36:14 516
78 Craig Neville ua7 V40 2:36:27 417
79 Paul M Crabtree Wharfedale Harriers V40 2:37:02 450
80 John Taylor Mercia V40 2:37:13 536
81 Simon Taylor ua6 m 2:37:17 410
82 Richard White Glossopdale Harriers m 2:37:21 500
83 (lady 2) Renee Saxton Otley AC L 2:37:22 558
84 Kevin Smith ua4 V40 2:37:33 396
85 David Cooper Pudsey Pacers V40 2:38:26 448
86 Robert Tyson Todmorden Harriers m 2:38:53 422
87 Phil Wells Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:39:17 486
88 Adrian Phillips ua11 V40 2:39:33 540
89 Richard Ingram Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:39:34 522
90 Luke McQuade Pudsey Pacers m 2:39:53 494
91 (lady 3) Joanne Worboys-Hodgson Denby Dale Travellers LV40* 2:40:18 388
92 Paul Fearns Holmfirth Harriers V50 2:40:35 526
93 Carl Heron Queensbury V50 2:41:02 412
94 Richard Sample Saddleworth m 2:41:05 544
95 John Minta Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:41:26 380
96 David Webb Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:42:05 441
97 Graeme Tiffany Pudsey Pacers V50 2:42:30 525
98 Duncan Ritchie Todmorden Harriers V40 2:43:31 465
99 Martin Finn Pudsey and Bramley V40 2:44:10 375
100 Nick Murphy Calder Valley Fell Runners V50 2:45:05 442
101 John Boothman Barlick Fell Runners V50 2:45:06 537
102 David Copping Keighley and Craven AC V40 2:45:48 489
103 (lady 4) Katherine Kirkham Wharfedale Harriers l 2:45:58 467
104 Luke Meleschko Halifax Harriers M 2:46:21 359
105 Robert Pritchard FRA V50 2:46:48 420
106 Michael Cooper ua V40 2:46:49 362
107 Richard Barnes ua V40 2:46:51 445
108 Mark Woodhead Valley Striders V50 2:46:55 423
109 Michael Mills ua V40 2:47:05 534
110 Timothy Jacobs Abbey V40 2:47:37 482
111 Wally Coppelov Newburgh Nomads V50 2:47:39 446
112 Micheal Coe Queensbury V40 2:47:40 377
113 Mark Nolan Pudsey and Bramley V50 2:47:43 383
114 Ben Bedsmith Todmorden Harriers m 2:47:57 429
115 Mick Bray Wharfedale Harriers V40 2:48:57 548
116 Jake Ackroyd ua m 2:49:02 535
117 Ian Greenwood ua m 2:49:03 532
118 Ian Sanderson Valley Striders V40 2:49:20 485
119 Jon Osborne ua M 2:49:40 357
120 Simon Galloway Todmorden Harriers V50 2:49:41 436
121 (lady 5) Alison Wainwright Staffordshire Moorlands LV40 2:49:43 529
122 Nigel Hodson Clayton Harriers V40 2:50:02 479
123 Fred Duenbier ua V50 2:50:08 444
124 Mike Vinegrad East Hull Harriers V40 2:50:15 470
125 Nick Andralojc Harrogate harriers V50 2:50:17 452
126 Justin Vogler Valley Striders V40 2:50:33 414
127 Graham Kay ua M 2:50:52 373
128 Nick Dewell Keighley and Craven AC V40 2:52:06 539
129 Mark Culshaw Newburgh Nomads V40 2:52:09 392
130 Peter Shelley ua V40 2:53:51 459
131 David Halliday Barlick Fell Runners V40 2:54:03 513
132 Nicky Bolton ua m 2:54:10 556
133 Richard Foster Abbey m 2:54:12 520
134 (lady 6) Liz Taylor Stainland Lions LV40 2:55:11 473
135 Brook Chambers Stainland Lions m 2:55:17 519
136 Stuart Hayton Bowland Fell Runners V40 2:56:24 430
137 Chris Alborough ua M 2:56:31 386
138 Toby Sycles Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 2:57:58 353
139 (lady 7) Marion Dixon Clayton Le Moors LV40 2:58:21 505
140 Brian Melia ua V40 2:59:08 474
141 (lady 8) Anna Smith Queensbury LV50* 2:59:09 406
142 Philip Robinson Queensbury 59,2:59:40 421
143 Charlie Eaton Glossopdale M 2:59:51 356
144 Steven Hemingway SPEN V50 3:00:14 527
145 (lady 9) Adela Reperecici Ilkley Harriers LV50 3:01:09 374
146 Andrew Combs ua V40 3:02:52 497
147 Richard Buckle Leeds Bradford Tri Club 1,3:03:07 541
148 Graham Jower ua V60* 3:03:08 378
149 Raj Madhas Wharfedale Harriers V40 3:03:58 364
150 Nathan Kennaugh Calder Valley Fell Runners m 3:04:30 523
151 Paul Taylor Calder Valley Fell Runners V40 3:06:16 503
152 Sam Fugill Nidd Valley Road Runners m 3:08:17 402
153 Edwin Sherstone Southport Waterloo V40 3:09:34 478
154 Simon Caldwell FRA V50 3:09:53 492
155 Dave Culpan Calder Valley Fell Runners V50 3:10:03 361
156 Paul Sheridan Esk Valley Fell Runners V40 3:11:57 354
157 Steven Moss FRA V60 3:13:05 524
158 (lady 10) Jenny Cooper Pudsey Pacers l 3:13:41 449
159 Simon Beverley ua m 3:13:42 531
160 Shaun Benham Pudsey Pacers V40 3:13:43 385
161 Ian Martin France Bowland Fell Runners V50 3:14:13 352
162 (lady 11) Amy Lomax Chapel Allerton L 3:15:13 384
163 Tim Whitcombe Idle AC V50 3:15:38 490
164 (lady 12) Jacqueline Redmayne Chorley LV40 3:17:40 370
165 Phil Hancock Fellandale V40 3:18:12 550
166 Philip Jones Baildon V50 3:19:34 416
167 Peter Fleming ua V50 3:20:05 428
168 Patrick Garland ua V50 3:20:39 424
169 Andrew Pigg Stadium Runners V50 3:21:28 538
170 Mick Fowler ua V50 3:21:29 528
171 Carl Prendergast Fellandale V60 3:23:33 455
172 (lady 13) Michelle Morris Baildon L 3:24:14 557
173 Russell Geraghty Military 1st Runners V40 3:24:35 401
174 Alun Davies Valley Striders V50 3:25:04 493
175 (lady 14) Gillian Wisbey Calder Valley Fell Runners LV40 3:25:23 404
176 (lady 15) Ceri Baker Pensby Runners LV50 3:25:47 369
177 Krzysztof Swedrowski Halifax Harriers m 3:27:50 551
178 Andrew Biddle West Pennine Runners V60 3:30:06 363
179 (lady 16) Rachel Johnston Calder Valley Fell Runners LV40 3:30:10 502
180 Shaun Beggs ua V40 3:30:12 432
181 (lady 17) Rachel Lowther Barlick Fell Runners l 3:30:53 512
182 Charles McKinney ua V40 3:31:01 454
183 Jean Du Plessis ua V40 3:31:13 389
184 Richard Blakeley Todmorden Harriers V70* 3:31:32 515
185 Michael Smith Bingley Harriers V50 3:31:33 480
186 (lady 18) Bev Holmes Todmorden Harriers LV40 3:32:09 440
187 (lady 19) Lisa Parkinson ua l 3:32:10 443
188 Colin Grime Spectrum Striders V60 3:33:38 408
189 (lady 20) Jo Miles Macclesfield LV50 3:33:42 393
190 Julian Brown Macclesfield V40 3:33:46 394
191 (lady 21) Fiona Armer Todmorden Harriers LV40 3:34:24 533
192 (lady 22) Linda Hayles Calder Valley Fell Runners LV60* 3:34:52 381
193 (lady 23) Tracey Apperley Newmarket Joggers LV40 3:36:11 495
194 Rich Smith ua V40 3:43:15 453
195 (lady 24) Laura Skelton ua L 3:44:02 435
196 James Alastair ua m 3:44:02 433
197 (lady 25) Camille Askins Keighley and Craven AC LV40 3:51:01 547
198 Robert Shirlaw Halifax Harriers V50 3:51:02 405
199 Martin Skelton FRA V40 3:51:04 434
200 Anthony Brown ua m 3:55:20 554
201 (lady 26) Sonja Ingrid ua LV50 3:59:48 545
202 Peter Ehrhardt Todmorden Harriers V60 4:04:57 390
203 (lady 27) Julie Laverock Salford Harriers LV40 4:16:29 365
204 John Swift Chorley V70 4:16:30 518
205 Reg Czudek Todmorden Harriers V60 4:19:42 400
206 David Danbury ua V60 5:00:55 483

Beer Festival

A beer festival will be held in the village on March 28th, 29th, 30th.

Shelley Yirrell, of The Cross Inn, said there would be all sorts of amazing events during the day and evening for both adults and families including: live local music, 40 guest ales, a hog roast, barbeque, fell run and much more.

 

Sunday School

St Thomas’ Church has a new Sunday School run by retired teacher Val Perry, who organised a successful crib service before Christmas.

Children aged four to 11 are welcome to attend the class, which starts at 9.15am. They hear stories and take part in activities at the back of the church, before joining the rest of the congregation for a blessing at the end of the service.

This week, the children heard about Jesus healing the lepers, then drew pictures about being thankful for our blessings.

The class will be held every Sunday except the first Sunday in each month, which is an all-age service suitable for children.

If anyone would like to get involved in helping to run the class, they are welcome to get in touch with vicar Howard Pask.

New housing and other developments

New housing estates in Heptonstall will be considered as part of Calderdale’s “Land Allocation and Designation Plan”, and the council is urging local residents to make their views known.

The plan will influence all future planning decisions for many years to come, and a series of public workshops are being held. Three major plans for housing estates and several smaller schemes have been submitted for the Heptonstall and Colden area as part of the first stage of the plan.

Plans now on the Calderdale Council website which have been submitted for consideration include:

Land next to Draper Lane, Slack: 187 semi-detached and terraced dwellings (reference CFS-0256) (this is part of the land now being considered for a caravan site).

Land next to Towngate, Heptonstall: 57 semi-detached and terraced houses (reference CFS-0226)

Land next to Lily Hall, Heptonstall Road, 5 to 10 terraced cottages (reference CFS-0303)

Gypsy Flats, Colden Road, Blackshaw Head: up to 90 houses (reference CFS -0181)

The meeting for Hebden Bridge area is on 6th February @  7.00 to 9.00 p.m. – at Hebden Bridge Town Hall

Places are limited, so if you wish to attend, please contact 01422 392206 or email spatial.planning@calderdale.gov.uk.

Full details of these and other smaller plans can be seen by searching from Calderdale’s planning page for site submissions.

Mr Bloom at Festival

Bloom_Hands on hips2Heptonstall’s own celebrity gardener and entertainer Mr Bloom will be welcoming children to the Festival on September 21.

Mister Bloom open the festivities in the church ruin around midday, fresh from his very successful tour of the country which saw thousands of families flock to see his very special stage show “When Julian lost his wiggle..”

Played by local resident Ben Faulkes, Mister Bloom’s nursery was the first Cbeebies programme to come out of BBC North and shows no sign of losing its popularity.

Now is your chance to meet the man himself as he appears live on stage at Heptonstall Festival.

 

Real Bread Now Baking

The Bakehouse, a new real bread co-operative, is now delivering to Heptonstall.

Based in Mytholmroyd, the Bakehouse has a new bread hub at The White Lion in Heptonstall.

They produce slowly fermented bread of all kinds, made from organic, locally sourced ingredients, free from enzymes and additives. The range includes sourdough, olive bread, Moor Ale bread, chocolate and currant loaves and bagels.

Bread subscriptions forms are available, and the bread can be collected every Thursday between 3pm and 8pm.

You can also get in touch through their Facebook page. 

Traffic issues

By the Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Group

Are you concerned about traffic through the village? 

Are you prepared to put pen to paper to report issues?

We’re gathering ‘evidence’ to present to CMBC – to try to convince them that more needs to be done to relieve current (and possibly future) traffic difficulties resulting from the Lee Wood Road situation.

Reporting forms are available in the Post Office or by calling the phone number below.

Please return completed forms to the collection box in the Post Office or the alternative address on the form.

Photos and/or video clips would also be helpful.

Contact Number for forms or further information:       01422 847328

The Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Group

 An action group supported by Heptonstall Parish Council

& Heptonstall Forward

Methodist anniversary service

A Sunday School anniversary service will be held in the Methodist Octagonal Chapel on Sunday at 10.45am.

Below, Fay Fielding shares her memories and photographs of previous services, which were traditionally a big event in the chapel year. Check out our current parish clerk Roger Greenwood, third from the left on the back row of the Christmas play! What a set of darlings!

More videos about the Chapel heritage will follow in preparation for their 250th anniversary next year.

fay fielding methodist from Amy Binns on Vimeo.

Local History Lecture

A slideshow and lecture on Dawson City, the 19th Century Navvy community above Heptonstall, will be held at the White Lion pub at 7.30pm on Monday, June 10.

The labourers lived in temporary buildings with their families while building the Walshaw Dean reservoirs. A book on the subject has been written by Ann Kilbey and Corrine McDonald.

Traidcraft Weekend

A Fair Trade weekend with stalls and teas will be held at St Thomas’ Church, Heptonstall, from Friday 24 May, organised by Judith Parish.

Fair trade clothes, food and gifts from Traidcraft will be on sale along with drinks and the usual fantastic selection of home-made cakes.  The event will be open on Friday 7pm to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10.30am to 5pm.

Generator and digging near Weavers Square

An electricity generator and fuel supply has been installed by the toilets on Townfield Lane due to problems with the power supply to ten nearby houses.

After a powercut on Friday morning, workmen dug up the edge of Smithwell Lane looking for the fault, and realised the fault was in the middle of the road.

Calderdale Council has prevented them from closing the road to make the repairs because of the closure of Lee Wood Road.

The generator was installed on Friday evening as a temporary measure, so no houses are now without electricity. The electricity board are now negotiating with the council about how to proceed.

 

Brass Band at School

The Lawrence Killian Brass Quintet will be playing a selection from the classics and Disney on Monday, 20 May, at 7.30pm in Heptonstall School hall.

Tickets are available from the school priced £2 adults, £1 children, £5 family. Bar and light refreshments. All proceeds to the PFA.

New path and ponies

The new path from Townfield Lane to Heptonstall school is now open, saving parents and children from having to walk on the main road while the traffic is heavier than normal.

Children are enjoying getting to know the ponies. In case you were wondering, they are:

Skye, light brown with white socks.

Aran, very dark brown with a white muzzle and white socks.

Jura, dark brown with a whitish tummy.

Thanks to Rosie for the information.

Cross Inn: update

The owners of the Cross Inn, WJ Turnbull and Sons, have confirmed that the pub will be re-opening in June.

Builders are starting on some repairs and the pub will open again as soon as they are complete.

A spokesperson for WJ Turnbull said they didn’t know an exact date yet but would know more as works commenced.

Lee Wood Road costs increase

Repairs to Lee Wood Road, which carries traffic around the village from Hebden Bridge to Slack Bottom and beyond, are likely to take months and cost at least £1million.

The repairs were delayed by heavy snow in March and have now hit technical problems, with the council now refusing to give a date for completion.

Coun Barry Collins told the Heben Bridge Times: “We are having to excavate to a depth of 4.5m below the road level to reach stable ground to find the new wall.

“The poor ground  conditions and the depth of the excavation have reduced the length of wall which can be safely excavated to five metres at any one time as the edge of the excavation is unsafe and obviously poses a risk to workers on the site. This restricted working area has reduced the manpower that we can effectively employ at any time.

“We accept that this is obviously a problem and potentially extends the length of the project but that’s what we are facing in a technical sense.

“It is absolutely clear from the seriousness of the problems that we have uncoered on the hillside that this is going to be extremely expensive.

“I understand people’s concerns on the timescale and the disruption it is causing but given the scale of the problems we are uncovering, I’d prefer not to put a timescale on this.”

He told the HB Times that the council was awaiting the findings of a geotechnical report on Tentercroft and Hollins before it made any further decisions on additional works that may be required.

The council has conducted traffic surveys using speed guns and found that on average 93 cars passed through Heptonstall in an hour at an average speed of 12 miles per hour. The maximum speed recorded was 18 miles per hour.