Events

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Artist Update: Farago

Farrago is an exciting acoustic collaboration between two experienced musicians, Andy McDermott and Gayna Grimshaw.

Although described as English/Americana folk, they prefer not to pigeonhole it.  Whether it’s a folk standard, a foot-tapping Celtic jig or self-penned, it’s all performed ‘Farrago-style’  that means music with a personality. 

Andy & Gayna have a wealth of musical experience between them and have both been solo singers and performers in their own right, but when their voices come together, the harmonies are the highlight.

Andy plays guitar, mandolin and banjo whilst Gayna plays accordion and guitar.

Individually, they have worked ‘live’ and in studios for too many years to admit!

G & A - 1

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Artist Update: 3 Valleys Gospel Choir

We believe everyone can sing, we are a non-audition community choir who come together once a week on Monday evening in the upstairs room at Central Methodists in Todmorden – and we aim to be a blessing to our community by singing uplifting songs including gospel, spirituals, world music, soul and sometimes pop.   Ailsa Nicholson, our musical director, specialises in vocal technique and so everyone from a complete beginner to people who have sing for 20 years will get something out of this choir.  Come along and enjoy our performance at 1pm on the Weavers Square stage, and if you like what you see and hear, we’d love to have you join us.

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Find out more here.

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Artist Update: The Lottery Winners

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We love this band, and after knocking us all out last year, they’ve agreed to come back to “the back of the slippy church” to do it all again. If you did’t catch their headline set last year, you really must make it to the Ruin Stage at 8pm..

The indie- pop quartet blend momentous melodies with wistful and insightful lyrics,“The songs are the most important thing in the world to me,” remarks Thomas Rylance, frontman and songwriting force of the band, “if they’re ever even a tiny fraction as important to other people, I’ll die a very happy man.”

TheLotteryWinners

The bands first single ‘Elizabeth’, an ode to misappropriated love with a nod to Her Majesty the Queen, was released to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Described by Lauren Laverne as “Adorable”, Hooting and Howling magazine remarked “It’s the sound of Morrissey taking some happy pills and prancing stark naked through a hilly glade, singing of romance”.

Have a listen:

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Artist Update: Frolicked

Make sure your children are in Weaver’s Square in time for what promises to be the best entertainment at the festival this year.

  
Frolicked is an outdoor puppet theatre company. They create intimate and magical experiences for all kinds of unusual spaces and places. Their engaging, interactive performances include a host of memorable and beautifully designed puppet characters.

Don’t miss it!

  

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Artist Update: Ben Blue Waters

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Ben is a solo acoustic slide guitar player and singer, performing blues songs from the 1920’s onwards.

He’s been playing music and gigging since the 70’s, sometimes in bands, sometimes solo, and various genres from R&B to punk to avant-garde, but he’s always maintained a deep love of the simple country blues of artists like Son House and Robert Johnson, and the urban blues of Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

His first official show as a solo blues artist was in 2010 at Weymouth’s annual Lupus Festival. Since then he’s been gigging regularly in Yorkshire and beyond.

Ben appears on the Weaver Stage at 2pm.

We can’t wait!

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Artist Update: TAKOTSUBO MEN

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Formed in 2014 Liverpool’s Takotsubo Men’s 7” single is just what we need as we get ready for five more years of Tory rule.

Their dizzying, frantic and raw post punk debut sees them become a modern-day Minutemen, tearing through three tracks in barely six minutes. Breathless, giddy and sweat-palm thrilling. No welcome outstayed. No B-side invited. Say it and f***k off!

Led by former Cecil frontman Ste Williams, the band also features Stuart Carswell’s pounding drums and Paddy ‘Clawhand’ Harrison on his unconventionally tuned guitars.

Takotsubo Men will be on the Ruin Stage at Heptonstall Festival and are currently working on more tunes scheduled for release before the end of the year. Expect a perfect eruption of distortion, bite and thrill. See you there!

Takotsubo Men appear on the Ruin Stage at 7.20pm.

Single Cover

Release date 29/06/2015 Record Label WAAIL Product Number WAAIL001

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Costume Workshops for Festival

Roald Dahl themed costume making workshops are being held in the Bowling Club on 11th, 12th, 25th and 26th June 4-6pm to make costumes and props in preparation for the Children’s parade.

The workshops are being led by Beth Hardman. It’s a great way to meet mums and children from Heptonstall village, Colden and Heptonstall schools. A light tea will be provided. Come along and join in the fun!

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Heptonstall Festival Words and Pictures Competition

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This year the festival theme is “the stories of Roald Dahl” and we are inviting you to create your very own drawing, poem or short story inspired by Roald Dahl.

Selected writers will have their work displayed on the day and also be in with a chance of winning £15, £10 or £5 book vouchers if they are placed in any of the categories. An overall winner will receive the fabulous Roald Dahl Treasury – An illustrated compendium of excerpts from all of his books and full reprints of 6 stories including Esio Trot and The Enormous Crocodile.

Local Children’s author Liz Flannagan has agreed to judge the competition and all prizes generously donated by The Book Case in Hebden Bridge.

There are two competitions to enter:

Drawing competition: (Year 2 and below): Draw your character (either an actual character created by Roald Dahl or your creation) on a sheet of A4 paper and send to the address below. Parents can help with some written character details if you wish.

Poetry and Writing Competitions (Year 3, 4 & 5 and 6, 7 & 8): Write or type your entry on sheets of A4 Lined or Plain paper (or use Microsoft Word for email entries). You can use Roald Dahl’s characters or your own imagined ones and can add a cover sheet and pictures if you wish – in fact we encourage it!

Meet the Judge

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Liz Flanagan is a local author and has written a number of children’s books. Liz has very kindly agreed to judge the children’s writing and drawing competition. Until recently Liz worked at the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre at Lumb Bank. She is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing. Liz Flanagan is the author of Cara and the Wizard, Starlight Grey, and Dara’s Clever Trap, see lizflanagan.co.uk for more information.

Closing date is 21st June 2015

Prizes will be awarded on festival day!

Download the Competition Entry Form and Roald Dahl Writing Guide to get started.

Bookcase

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Parish Council Meetings – 18 May 2015

Follow these links to see the agendas for the 2015 Annual Parish Council Meeting and the May Parish Council Meeting.

Both will be held at the The School Hall, Heptonstall J I & N School, on Monday 18 May 2015   commencing at 7.00 pm and 7.30pm respectively.

 

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Music and Events Information

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Ruin Stage
Artist Start Time
The Lottery Winners 8.20pm
Takotsubo Men 7.20pm
Revisit 6.20pm
Owter Zeds 5.20pm
Brunelle 4.20pm
The Tiny Minds 3.20pm
Tim O’Connor 2.20pm
Alex Roberts 1.30pm
Sleepers 12.40pm

Weaver Stage
Catfish Skillet 6.00pm
Zoe Stirling 5.00pm
Pocket Hercules 4.00pm
Farrago 3.00pm
Ben Blue Waters 2.00pm
Rayen 1.30pm
Three Valleys Gospel Choir 1.00pm
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Pennine Heritage – Local Trails

The South Pennines are a combination of unique landscape and outstanding industrial heritage. The area has long been a favoured resort for walkers and historians.

To share this special area with even more people, Pennine Horizons has teamed up with a whole host of local volunteers, community groups and organisations to create 12 interesting and inspiring walks and trails. Pennine Horizons Trails provide you with an opportunity to explore the area on foot with the bonus of having information about the landscape, ecology or history at your finger tips.

More details at www.pennineheritage.org.uk/Trails.

Information on events taking place on 25 and 26 April 2015.

The e-trail Apps (with map, walk directions, audio commentaries and historical photographs) can be downloaded to a phone or tablet and include interesting stories of local events and people of note as well as  information about  the awe-inspiring ecology and outstanding industrial heritage of  the area. The trails are:

  • Power In the Landscape – App available.   A wander down the beautiful Colden Valley uncovering early 19th century water powered industry. 6 miles
  • Charlestown and Jumble Hole – App available. This delightful walk along the canal and up a beautiful wooded valley will give you glimpses of hidden 18th  and 19th century industry. 3 miles.
  • Cragg Vale – Coming Soon. This linear walk takes you down a wooded stream where you can see remnants of the area’s rich industrial heritage. 5 miles.
  • Sam Hill of Soyland – Wool Trade, Scandal and Feuds. Coming Soon. Follow in the footsteps of Sam, a great wool baron, who lived in the beautiful Ryburn Valley 300 years ago. 3.5 miles
  • Hebden Bridge’s Woodland Heritage. Coming Soon. A walk around Hebden Bridge town and surrounding woodland to meet some of our native British trees (plus a few of their close relatives from abroad) and find out about their local and traditional uses. 3 miles.
  • Blackshawhead Packhorse Trail. Coming Soon. Explore the Packhorse Trail from Blackshawhead to Heptonstall; learn about this ancient route with far reaching views. 2 miles.
  • The Heptonstall Trail – an Ancient Village Explored. Coming Soon. This gentle circular walk takes you around the ancient Pennine hilltop settlement of Heptonstall, discovering its rich history and conserved stone buildings. 1.5 miles
  • A Walk Around Todmorden with the Fieldens. Coming Soon. Explore the wonderful town of Todmorden, discovering the role of the Fieldens and some of the town landmarks, 3.5 miles.
  • Todmorden Tops – Forged by the Fielden Dynasty. Coming Soon. This circular walk takes you over the hilltops to the north & west of Todmorden to enjoy a landscape forged by nature & the Fielden Dynasty. 8 miles.
  • Riots and Protests – Radical History around Todmorden. Coming Soon. The first of two walks which introduce sites associated with the early radical social movements (Chartism and the Anti-Poor Law Movement ) of the Upper Calder Valley while enjoying its unique topography and scenery. 8 miles
  • Cooperatives and Visions – Radical History around Hebden Bridge. Coming Soon. The second of two walks which introduce sites associated with the early radical social movements of the Upper Calder Valley (cooperative, trade union and women’s struggles) while enjoying its unique topography and scenery. 8 miles

Frank Woolrych, Chair of the Pennine Horizons project said: “The stunning landscapes and striking remains of its industrial heritage have drawn walkers and historians to the Calder and its valleys for many years. To share this with more people, we have teamed up with a whole host of local volunteers, community groups and organisations to create 12 interesting and inspiring walks and trails.”

More details at www.pennineheritage.org.uk/Trails.

Information on events taking place on 25 and 26 April 2015.

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Heptonstall Festival presents: The Roald Dahl Treasure Trail

heptonstall-fox-2015On Festival Day we are planning to create a Treasure Trail that will take the children through the village, finding clues along the way. If you live in Heptonstall we would like you to help us create this Trail by volunteering to create a clue and place it in your window or in your garden.

These clues could take on any forms as long as they relate to Roald Dahl. It could be something as simple as a passage taken from a book to a masterpiece creation made from sticky back plastic and fairy liquid bottles – Blue Peter eat your heart out!

We cannot create the Trail until we know how many volunteers we have, so if you would be kind enough to register your interest at the Post Office as soon as possible. We will close the list on 15h May, this will give us good time to be able to liaise with everyone and create the Trail ready for July 4th.

Don’t worry if you miss this date, we still would like as many people as possible to decorate their gardens / houses just for the fun of it.

So get your thinking caps on and let’s get Creative!

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely……..Roald Dahl

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The Fantastic Heptonstall Festival 2015

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This year the Heptonstall Festival will be held on Saturday 4 July, in conjunction with the Heptonstall Festival Fell Race.

The festival is a family event held across the whole village of Heptonstall with activities happening throughout the day.

Highlights will include:

  • Weaver Square Music Stage
  • Church Ruin Music Stage
  • Children’s Roald Dahl themed treasure trail around the village
  • Food and drink and local produce stalls in Weaver Square
  • Craft stalls in the church
  • Dog Show and activities at the Bowling and Social Club

Information about artists, activities and the low-down on all the fun will be posted here in the weeks ahead.

The theme for the event is “all things Roald Dahl” so get thinking about your costume!

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Parish Council Meeting – 13 April 2015

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council will be held at The School Hall, Heptonstall J I & N School on Monday 13 April 2015 commencing at 7.30 p.m.

The Agenda for the meeting can be seen here.

More about the Parish Council…

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Heptonstall Fell Race – Sunday 22 March 2015 – Marshals and Helpers Needed…

Stephen Grimley, Fell Race Organiser, writes….

“Many thanks for the generous support  given to the annual Heptonstall Fell Races each March and July.

2015 year will see the races take place for their 5th running, during which time we will have all worked together to raise around £10,000 for local causes (St Thomas’s Church, Calder Valley Search and Rescue, local Scouts, Heptonstall Festival)

Each race has been a tremendous success as runners from all over the UK have flocked to the village to enjoy a day out on the local hills combined with the hospitality of the village. The races have become known for their community spirit, and the unique atmosphere and spectacle created by the village.

SUNDAY MARCH 22nd 2015 – CAN YOU HELP?

The race can only take place with the enthusiastic involvement of our neighbours, friends, and family. This generous support is much appreciated and has proven to be a key factor in runners returning to the event year after year.

The 2015 race will take place on SUNDAY MARCH 22nd 2015 – we would be extremely grateful if you could spare a few hours of your time to help us marshal the event 

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

No experience is required. A marshal is simply there to keep an eye on the race at a given point, advising runners of any hazards, and reporting back to the race organiser to confirm all is going well. Marshals additionally make sure runners don’t  head off in the wrong direction, or alerting runners to approach road crossings safely. Your position can be organised to suit your preference and available time, either in the village and surrounding fields, or for the more adventurous, somewhere on the hills around Hardcastle Craggs.

We usually team you up with a friend or neighbour, providing you with instructions, timings, viz bib, and contact numbers. No experience is required but we will explain everything you will need know for your position. The runners will be pleased to see you and will be thanking you as they run by – hopefully you can cheer them on. It’s a great excuse for an early Spring day out followed up with a beer and food in the pub afterwards.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP….”

Anyone who is interested in helping out with marshaling duties is asked to contact Stephen Grimley on 07710015560 or by email.

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Parish Council Meeting – 2 February 2015

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council will be held at The School Hall, Heptonstall J I & N School on Monday 2 February 2015 commencing at 7.30 p.m.

The Agenda for the meeting can be seen here.

More about the Parish Council…

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Pennine Spring Music – 25-30 May 2015

Pennine Spring Music returns to Heptonstall 25-30 May, with a varied programme of classical music for everyone.

We endeavour each year to encourage young musicians from music schools and colleges to join us on a bursary scheme.

Could anyone willing to accommodate (B&B) one of these young people please contact Jean Leach on 01422 843995 or by email.

Many thanks.

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Christmas Lunch at the Social and Bowling Club: Thursday 18 December 2014

Christmas Lunch at the Social & Bowling Club: Thursday 18 December 2014

Thank you! Thanks to all for the generous support for our second Christmas Lunch! We had 65 guests, served by Village Team elves, and we sent over 15 meals to local houses.

The meal was cooked for us at no charge by Rik Jones, Head Chef at Devonshire Hall, University of Leeds, assisted by his partner Sarah Wilmot. The food was kindly supplied by Hebden and Poole veg suppliers and Sykes House Farm butchers, both based in Wetherby.

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The wonderful Heptonstall School Choir entertained the guests with beautifully sung Christmas carols as well as more up to date songs.

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Village Team Coach Trip – 14 April – to Stephen H Smith’s Garden Centre at Otley

The Village Team is planning to have up to six trips this year.  We’ve been lucky enough to secure a large luxury coach which “kneels” to the kerb for easy access.

 

Our Spring Coach Trip is on Tuesday 14 April 2015 to Stephen H Smith’s Garden Centre at Otley, leaving Heptonstall at 11.30 am.

£10.00

The garden centre has a 300 seat restaurant, indoor and outdoor plant sales area, and an Edinburgh Wool Shop.

It’s all on one level, so fully accessible.

We can also loan out wheelchairs if booked with Jane in advance.

To book, ring Jane Hartmann 01422 846675.

 

Other dates for your diary:

19th May   Harewood House

8th July   Oswaldtwistle Mills

18th September   Harrogate Flower Show

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Family Ceilidh – Friday 7 March 2015

This will be the first of a series of family/ dance/ fun events to be held at the Social and Bowling Club.

The aim is to provide some high class, low cost occasions for ALL people of ALL ages,, with or without children, from Heptonstall and beyond.

Three Men and a Box 2A simple supper will be available to buy for £2.50 at each of the events. We’ll be starting with home-made potato and meat pie, or potato, cheese and onion pie, with either baked beans or peas.

After 9pm, we’ll turn the music up and the lights down so we can all dance and boogie the night away.

This time the band will be three local lads, Three Men and a Box – you may remember them from last year’s Heptonstall Festival.

£5 (children free)

Next time it will be DJ Dapper Dan and his 30’s, 40’s and 50’s Tea Dance style music.

If you are aware of any music or bands you think will go down well, please contact Gail King on 07826 525366.

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Village Team Christmas Lunch 2014

Christmas Lunch 250We have 39 people already booked for this year’s community event, which will take place at The Social and Bowling Club on 18 December.

This is intended as a warm and welcoming Christmas event for anyone, and we will not discriminate against those who consider themselves too young to come along and join in!!

The big goal this year is to raise as much funding as we can to cover the cost of the day, and buy a really nice gift for all our guests.

Last year we sent home around 15 lunches for those who could not attend, and we know they were very much appreciated. This year we would like to do the same.

Our guests tell us, that they wish to get to know more of the newer inhabitants of Heptonstall and therefore they warmly invite you to join in, and come and have a Christmas lunch with us.

If you cannot attend, but would like to help us, we would be very grateful for your support, which could include…..

Making a donation:

  • See details on our website…
  • or leave a contribution with Tony at the Post Office or at May’s Shop.

Providing ingredients:

  • There is a shopping list in May’s and at the Post Office, just tick off the items you would like to supply

Helping with entertainment:

Volunteering in other ways:

  • Again there are lists with May’s and the Post Office
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Heptonstall Village Team – Event Calendar

EVENT CALENDAR

Well, what a year!  Thanks to the amazing people of Heptonstall, we now have our own Village Team. Our main objective is to establish a varied, interesting and fun calendar of social events for our community elders.

So far, we have had:-

  • a wonderful Christmas lunch 2013;
  • a fabulous trip to Knaresborough, in September;
  • varied speakers and entertainment at the Social & Bowling Club;
  • lots of warm and welcoming lunches at The Cross Inn.

What’s Next?

Lunch dates at The Cross Inn – Wed 19th November & Wed 10th December, 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Terry, and his team at The Cross, love hosting us, and I have to say, these are really lovely easy going events.  Please let us know if you can attend, support us as a driver, or donate a raffle prize.

Fancy a trip to the panto? “Sleeping Beauty” at the Social & Bowling Club – Sat 29th November, 2:00 – 4:00pm (cost £3)

Oh no, we don’t Oh yes, we do….etc.  As usual, we will arrange transport, for those who need it.  We have spoken with the cast, who are delighted that some ‘old friends’ may be coming along to the Saturday Matinee.

Christmas Lunch at the Social & Bowling Club – Thurs 18 December, 12/ 12:30 pm

Can’t believe how quickly this year has gone! We are proposing a 3-course meal and surprise gift, for £10.  A lot of our guests do not want a ‘free lunch’, but would rather pay a fair price for a good deal.  We want to build in entertainment for this year too, but until we have organized that, we will be keeping mum!

As with any new group, we want more feedback, so we can develop and deliver ideas our community wants.  What we learned this year:-

  • lots of people have enjoyed meeting up with old friends they haven’t seen in a long time;
  • guests also seem to want to mix with the younger, and/or newer residents of Heptonstall, and share stories.

So, in conclusion……

  • We are suggesting this short Winter programme to allow us time to get more ideas for our 2015 calendar of events.
  • You can email or phone:     Jan Lymer – 01422 842979

With Kind Regards,

The Heptonstall Village Team