Author: Thomas Heptonstall

by

The Open Mic is Back at the White Lion

Play, sing, cavort or just watch and marvel when the Open Mic returns to the White Lion, Heptonstall on Friday, December 23rd, at 8.30pm.

Performers of all kinds are wanted, including singers, poets, instrumentalists, jugglers and ice sculptors.

Organiser Geoff says: “We have a lot of regular acts but we welcome new performers with open arms. If you fancy a go, come along. We will guarantee you will get a slot and an enthusiastic and appreciative response.

If you want to discuss further, call him on 01422 842629.

by

Car Park Proposal Cancelled

The following has been received from John Scarborough of Heptonstall Parish Council:

Following the Consultation Exercise carried out in November 2016 the Parish Council has decided not to proceed further with a possible new car park on Valley View Road due to lack of community support.

All households in the Parish of Heptonstall received details of the proposed scheme together with a questionnaire designed to establish the level of support for it. Some 42% of you returned the questionnaires (47% in the Village) but fewer than 50% were in favour of proceeding (46% in the Village and 43% in the Parish as a whole).

Although  74% of you thought that Heptonstall Village needed additional off-street parking and 57% of you thought that the proposed lay-by would make a worthwhile addition, only 43% and 45%  of you respectively thought the proposed scheme would deliver Value for Money and were willing to pay extra Council Tax to finance it.

You the Community “have had your say” and have come out clearly against proceeding with the scheme, the Parish Council and Traffic Group have accordingly closed down the Project. We will however continue to maintain what pressure we can on Calderdale Council to maintain and improve car parking facilities in the Village and the rest of the Parish.

by

Meeting about changes to Chapel

The Parish Council planning meeting tonight (Wednesday 15 June) will begin as planned outside Stone Slack, near Drapers Corner, at 7.30pm but will move to Green Slack house, just behind Drapers Corner, if a longer discussion is needed.

The first item on the agenda is plans for two houses to be built on the empty land near Stone Slack. The meeting will continue with discussion about changes to the Heptonstall Methodist Chapel as detailed below. Members of the public may attend.

by

Disposal of Sunday School and changes to Methodist Chapel

Comments are invited on plans for a new kitchen, toilets and meeting room in Heptonstall Methodist Chapel as part of plans to dispose of the Sunday School, and create modern facilities in the chapel.

The public consultation is being organised through the central Methodist Church. Listed building consent has been applied for to the central Methodist Church because they deal with applications through the Ecclesiastical Exemptions Act, instead of Calderdale Council.

Members of the public can comment by emailing conservation@methodistchurch.org.uk

The kitchen and toilets would be in the vestry and storage rooms at the back of the church. Pews would be removed on either side of the pulpit to create a servery area and exhibition space on either side of the pulpit. Pews between the two entrance doors would be removed to make space to build a meeting room. Repairs to the roof are also planned.

The parish council has been invited to comment, and will be discussing the plans as part of a planning meeting outside Stone Slack at 7.30pm on Wednesday, June 15. The public are invited to attend.

English Heritage, the Victorian Society, the Ancient Monuments Society and others have also been invited to comment.

chapel changes drawings-page-8

 

 

 

 

 

chapel changes drawings-page-10

by

Pace Egg 2016

Times as follows:

Good Friday, 25th March in Weavers Square

11:15 Heptonstall Pace Egg

12:30 Heptonstall Pace Egg

2:00 Heptonstall Pace Egg

3:00 Calder High Pace Egg

4:00 Heptonstall Pace Egg

Pace Egg

The Juggler capers in, dodging rain from the West

St George has a brolly and a star on his breast

Bold Slasher likes rain, he’ll not hide with the rest

The Doctor has a topper, he knows what is best

The Black Prince of Paradise, his robe’s put to the test

The Egyptian King’s slaves keep him dry. Not a jest!

Hector The Champion is snug ‘neath his crest

But what of poor Tosspot, his coat’s not the best

Ah he’s safe from the floods, he’s found an old life vest!

If you, like the others, want to be well impressed

Good Friday! The Pace Egg! Make Heptonstall your dest…..(ination)!

With thanks to Andy Carter for the words and Frank Sutcliffe for the original photograph. This year we will be collecting for the: Community Foundation for Calderdale Flood Relief Fund and East African Playgrounds project to build safe play areas for village children in East Africa.

Please come by foot or public transport. Parking in the village is very limited.

by

The Cross pub update, by Nic Corrigan

Approximately 40 people attended a meeting at The Cross to share information and discuss the proposed sale of the pub.

Nic Corrigan was point of contact for the group who previously worked on listing the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and explained the implications this now had on any future sale of the pub.  A flow diagram is attached which summarises the options that are now available to the local community and supporters and the key critical deadlines.

Terry, the current Landlord, advised that the owner was due to retire and is therefore selling several of his properties.  The likely sale value of the pub is offers over £200k.  He is planning to sell it as a going concern to be run as a pub.  Terry and Andrew are currently investigating the option of purchasing it themselves which was widely supported within the meeting.

A question and answer session followed and it was generally agreed that a Steering Group needed to be formed to investigate the levels of support within the local area for the pub and whether there was a need for a Community Group to be formed to bid for the pub to be owned and run as a community enterprise.  The deadline to make this decision is 23rd December. Some people have offered to take part in this Steering Group but ideally a few more volunteers are needed due to the very tight deadlines we are working towards.  A volunteer to lead this first stage of the process is also being sought.

A provisional meeting date was set for Tuesday 15th December for the Steering Group to present their findings and proposal regarding the intention to bid.

Time is now very tight but there is still time to be involved and any help would be greatly appreciated.  At this stage, it would only mean a commitment to being involved until 23rd December.  If you think you could help, please contact Nic Corrigan on 01422 843397 or by email to niccorrigan@yahoo.co.uk.

 FLOWCHART 001

by

Spanish Menu at the Cross

A Taste of the Mediterranean event featuring Spanish food will be held at the Cross Inn on Friday 30 October from 6pm onwards.

The event follows their last successful Greek evening. It costs £15 per person including a set starter, choice of main and dessert courses. Spanish wines and beers are available. Call in to the Cross for a menu and to book a table or telephone 843284.

Set starter of typical Spanish aperitivos (selection of snacks and dips to whet your appetite), including olives, artichoke hearts, Manchego cheese, crusty bread, salted almonds, etc
Main courses (all served with paella-inspired vegetable rice, mini roast potatoes and mixed salad)
Bacalao con tomate Fresh cod cooked with tomatoes, onions and red peppers
Cordero en Rioja Rich and flavoursome, slow-cooked braised lamb in Rioja, with chorizo and baby carrots
Pollo al pimentón Chicken cooked in creamy paprika sauce
Pimientos y tomates rellenos A Spanish twist on stuffed peppers and tomatoes, using paella-inspired vegetable rice and typical Spanish herbs
Desserts (served with fresh cream or ice cream)
Dulce de leche cheesecake – A favourite Spanish confection combined with cheesecake
Pastél de naranja y almendras – Orange and almond cake

by

Busy Autumn Ahead

The nights may be drawing in but there’s plenty of fun events happening in the next couple of months, all listed on our Events page. A few highlights include:

A beer and cider festival at the White Lion on the weekend of 2 – 4 October, with an apple pie competition on the Sunday.

A service of blessing for pets at St Thomas’ Church on Sunday 4 October, followed by a peal of bells.

A concert at St Thomas’ by Hebden Bridge Brass Band on Saturday 17 October.

And then the village gears up for a busy season of Hallowe’en events at the Bowling Club, Christmas fairs at both church and chapel, and much more.

 

by

Children’s parade

giant peachWith the generous financial support from The Heptonstall Junior and Infant School and the Friends and Parents of Heptonstall we had £200 sponsorship to spend on materials for the children’s parade on Festival Day.
 We will be meeting at 10.30 am in Weavers Square and parading from 11 am headed up by the Heptonstall Pantomime Group and Drum Machine.
 Jacky Kelly, from the Heptonstall Village Team will be knocking on doors along the route and seeing if some of our older generations would like a ring side seat as the parade passes through.
 The Heptonstall Out of School Club have also lent their support to the event, by making a large Giant Peach to carry aloft on the day.
 As a final touch, some of the kids will be carrying platters of peaches to offer to our special ‘roadside guests’ as the parade passes by.
 (We have limited edition, balloons on sale on the route for £1.00 each (sponsored by Arty party of Todmorden) and this money will help us to cover the cost of activities at the bowling club
The programme that is running at the bowling club is targeted at families or our older folks.
 It is an area to take the kids for a sit down and  value ALL YOU CAN EAT Tapas, or sandwich platter lunch. Or a quicker cake and sarnie.
 There are lots of free activities where the youngest and oldest amongst us can join in.

 

by

Cuddly prizes at the ready

teddy festival 1The first load of teddies are washed and drying ready for the Teddy Tombola in the Bowling Club on Festival day! Come along with your ‘Wonka Winks’ and have a go at winning one!!! Beth Hardman is selling £4 bags of Wonka Winks in the Heptonstall school playground in advance of the festival for the bargain price of £2.50. The Winks can be spent in the bowling club on Festival Day, to take away the problem of giving children money.

by

Blackshaw Head Chapel Anniversary

DSC_1384Blackshaw Head Methodist Chapel celebrated their 200th anniversary with a family service led by lay preacher Roger Munday, who outlined the history of the chapel as well as leading worship. There were performances from the children of the Sunday School, including a poem written by Gwen Hughes. A display of pictures and memorabilia included many memories of the building and residents, and also explained how close the chapel had come to closing in the 1980s, saved only by the generosity of local people.

DSC_1394Several other activities are planned for the remainder of the anniversary year, including a recreation of a historic group photograph by local people, and a concert.

   DSC_1389 DSC_1392 DSC_1370

by

Julie Bull textile artist

pathwaysAward-winning textile artist Julie Bull creates hand stitched illustrations with recycled cotton fabric.
Working from her home studio in Heptonstall, Julie is inspired by nature, folklore, myths and legend

She is available for commissions and teaches. As an embroidery designer Julie has had projects published in several needlecraft magazines and also sells patterns online.

Julie said: “I see each piece I create as a precious little gem with its jewel like colours achieved by hand dying cotton fabrics and thread. Measuring just 8 inches square or less each illustration is a labour of love interjected with emotion.

“My hands on approach of connecting with the fabric through hand stitching follows the Kantha tradition of “feeling” the materials while creating a talisman of love to protect and comfort my loved ones 

julie bull 2“Kanthas originate in West Bengal. Indian where mothers stitch together layers of old saris with running stitch to create quilts then embroider them with story images. The Hindu religion includes a belief that old rags protect loved ones from evil spirits and hundreds of these rags can be seen hanging outside temples and shrines.
“A mother will often create a Kantha as a gift for a grown up child who has to leave home. The soft comforting softness and smell of the old clothes it is created from evoke memories of home, family and a mother’s embrace”

You can see more of her work, including designs produced as giclee prints and cards,  here.

Studio address : 6, Smithwell Lane, Heptonstall, HX7 7NX
Tel: 01422 844111

julie bull

 

 

 

 

 

by

Burns’ Supper at the Bowling Club

Why not dig your way out of your home on Saturday evening and dig your way down to the Social and Bowling Club in Heptonstall?

We will be hosting our second Heptonstall Village Burns Supper Night, and this year, we have a lone piper, our stars from the village pantomime as well as, Francis Durning doing the formal address to the Haggis  as well as live music from 3 men and a box.

BurnsSupper_Jan15_Flier_V5

 
by

Bring and Buy

The Heptonstall School PFA is holding a Bring and Buy sale at St Thomas’ Church on Friday, February 6, from 3.30pm to 6pm.

Headteacher David Perrin said: “The Church have kindly offered us the use of their space and will be running a cafe with refreshments and cakes for sale. Please have a rummage and see what items you have at home that may be suitable.

“Good quality used clothing, books and toys would be appreciated. We will also be selling school uniform, so if you have any your child has grown out of please bring it along. Any unsold items will be donated to a local charity shop.

“Arrangements for where and when to bring in donations will be available later.”

by

Countryfile on Sunday

The next edition of BBC 1’s Countryfile will feature Heptonstall at 7pm on Sunday, February 1.
Joe Crowley tells the tale of the Cragg Vale Coiners, an outlaw band responsible for one of the biggest counterfeiting crimes in history.
The King of the Coiners, David Hartley, is buried in St Thomas’ graveyard and shots of the church feature in the programme.

 

by

Village Panto on screen

For a peek behind the scenes of last week’s village panto, take a look at Paul Cooke’s short documentary about the geniuses behind Sleeping Beauty. Find out what Mandy really thinks about her husband Stiffy Longrod’s flirtation with Heather, and relive Seducia Flatulence’s moving duet with Scrumpox. Nice one Paul!

 

Behind the Scenes at the Heptonstall Panto from Paul Cooke on Vimeo.

by

Heptonstall School Christmas Fair

Don’t miss the Heptonstall School fair, run by the Parents and Friends Association, this Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.

hep school fairFather Christmas will be visiting and there are also plenty of stalls and games for the children, along with refreshments and gifts. Stalls confirmed include Mel’s hats, Jilly’s bags and Joan’s frocks & jewellery, plus sweets and goodies from Aimee, toys to be won, cakes to be decorated and jolly jam jars. Children can choose and wrap presents for their parents and grandparents in the secrets room for £2.

PFA chair Jayne Benson said: “The raffle has some fantastic prizes – vouchers from Zeitgeist, Boden, Climb Rochdale, Able & Cole, Northern Rail, plus beer from Little Valley, chocolate and a calendar from the Post Office, copies of Acquilla magazine, a Fair Trade hamper from the Co-op, a big Teddy, something enticing from Hat Therapy, more chocolates, wine and a few other promises in the pipeline. And, if that wasn’t enough, a consultation with To The Max Fitness and a fitness class pass from Waterside Gym to help kick start your post Christmas detox. Many many thanks to the generosity of these businesses for their support! Tickets for the raffle will be on sale during the fair only and all prizes will be won on the day.”

Please note none of the stalls are able to accept card payments, so you will need to bring cash and cheques to pay on the day.

 

by

Gala Dinner at the Bowling Club

Tickets are now on sale for our Gala Dinner at the bowling club on Saturday 27th September.
Food is being prepared by a Michelin standard chef, who has trained under Raymond Blanc, and worked extensively throughout Europe.
Dog lover, and talented chef Ian Tiller, has teamed up with Pennine Animal Welfare,  to raise money for this charity.
Organiser Jan Lymer said: “I would like to raise money to get one of the toilets in the Bowling Club converted to accommodate wheelchair users.  Ideally I would like to get the work done, in time for this year’s Christmas lunch at the club for our older generations.
“Tickets are only 25.00 each for a stunning 4 course meal, and it is just not possible to eat food prepared by a Michelin standard chef at this price.
“You can bring your own wine on the night too, so when we release the menu you can have fun matching it  with the food! This is a great chance to dress to impress too!
“There are only 50 places available, so please get in touch to reserve tickets.”
Jan Lymer
01422 847979
07772 168812
by

Gospel choir at St Thomas Church

Presenting!!!!

The 3 valleys gospel choir

Allow us to take you through a journey of soulful heartfelt songs from traditional to pop!

At St Thomas The Apostle Church, Heptonstall, Saturday 19 July at 7.30pm

Tickets £7.50 or £5 concessions. Pay on the door. For more info call Dawn: 01422 843856

http://www.3valleysgospelchoir.

The event is to raise funds for Heptonstall Festival . Other planned events include:

A Jazz brunch – a late lazy brunch to ease your way into a relaxing day – Saturday / Sunday in August – exact date tbc.

Pre-festival disco – Heptonstall Bowling Club – Saturday 6 September – from 8pm

by

Slack Top Centre plans cancelled

The website has received the following message from a member of the Slack Top Centre Trustees:

“Following a New Hope board meeting on 30th April 2014 and a Slack Top Centre Trustees meeting on 10th May 2014 it has been mutually agreed to not continue with any plans to use the Slack Chapel building as the proposed Rehabilitation Centre.

“The Slack Top Centre trustees are continuing to consider ways in which the building can be used which are compatible with our trust deed.

“For further information please contact via postal address: Slack Top Centre, Heptonstall, HX7 7HA”