Local Groups news

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Heptonstall Village Team – Heptonstall Family Day – Easter weekend 2016

Heptonstall Family Day – Easter weekend 2016

Saturday March 26th – the day after Pace Egg – will be our first Heptonstall Family Day!

This is being planned and organised across the generations and is so far going to include:

  • a giant egg rolling competition from the school to Weavers Square
  • opportunity for you to have your photo taken on a reproduction of the see-saw shot from the Alice Longstaff Collection (courtesy of the After Alice Photographic Group)
  • an Easter Bonnet and Cap parade
  • fun and games for all at The Heptonstall Social and Bowling Club
  • maypole dancing
  • a vintage bus trundling from venue to venue in Heptonstall so that you can ride in comfort to see everything with ease

This event is being sponsored by Heptonstall Junior and Infant School, Calderdale Events and Festivals Fund, Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, local businesses and private donations.

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Heptonstall Village Team – The Gift of Giving

The Gift of Giving

This very special Christmas Carol concert, working together with school, will take place in St Thomas’ Church on Thursday 17th December at 9.30 am.

This event is open to all, and beforehand there will be a series of singing workshops and rehearsals at the Bowling Club, as well as a gift making workshop, where our younger children will make small gifts to hand to our older generations around the village and at the concert on the day.

For full details contact Beth Hardman on 07796 265027.

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Heptonstall Village Team – New Format Art Club: Changing Faces

New Format Art Club: Changing Faces

We are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Heptonstall Junior and Infant School – our Art Classes will now involve both the younger and older generations of Heptonstall and beyond. A regular class will be held with the children at the school, with an alternating class being held in Mytholm Meadows, where our younger artists will come down to paint and craft alongside our older folks.

This will be a regular class, culminating in an art exhibition and film show at The Heptonstall Bowling and Social Club next year. Nick Wilding will be filming some of the process as well as showing his film of 8 year olds interviewing 80 year olds that he filmed in 2000.

If you would like more information or to get involved, contact Pauline Walker at Mytholm Meadows, on 01422 843194

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CROWS – Community Rights Of Way Service

HEPTONSTALL VOLUNTEERS WANTED

CROWSCROWS is a group of volunteers who maintain and improve the
Footpath network in the Upper Calder and Ryburne valleys. We clear vegetation, build stiles, gates and boardwalks, deal with drainage and way-mark routes. We also monitor and survey paths. We currently work on Wednesdays and Fridays from about 9.30-2.30 from our base in Mytholmroyd.

At the moment we are particularly short of people who can work on Fridays. In addition we have nobody from Heptonstall in the group, so we feel that we are missing some local knowledge.

Stella started working with CROWS earlier this year & says: “it’s great to have a regular date to work outdoors with a nice bunch of people who have local knowledge, experience & expertise to share. We get a lot done – you can see the fruits of your labours after each day which is very satisfying. And we are often working on a path I’ve never been on before, despite walking in this area for over 30 years.

If you want to know more about what we do, have a look at our blog at http://www.communityrightsofwayservice.blogspot.co.uk

This will take you to the most recent activity page. To go to earlier posts, either use the index on the right hand side or use the ‘Older posts’ button at the bottom of the page.

Having seen the kind of things we do, if you are interested in helping us, or if you have any questions, please get in touch by email to crows-coop@outlook.com or contact us on 07872 960942.

Community Rights Of Way Service
White Ribbon House, 1, New Road, Mytholmroyd, HX7 5DZ
Website http://httpwww.crows-coop.co.uk/

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HAVE YOUR SAY…

HAVE YOUR SAY…

Does the Civic Parish of Heptonstall need its community group?

hep_fwd_logoOver the last 10 or so years Heptonstall Forward has been active on behalf of all Residents, putting forward and supporting their views when it has really mattered.

Whether it be planning issues or concerns over speed limits, establishing a newsletter or bulb planting, Heptonstall Forward has taken the Residents’ views forward and represented them at meetings, arranging emergency meetings if a situation demands this.

In May 2016 the members of Heptonstall Forward will be retiring, as their brief to produce and oversee the Community-led Parish Plan will be ending, this role    being handed over to the Parish Council.

So is the community group now to fold?

OR should it continue representing the Residents, but with a fresh brief?

Does the Civic Parish of Heptonstall need a community group?

Come and have your say over a cup of tea and a biscuit, on Sunday 22nd November: 2pm at Heptonstall Social and Bowling Club

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The Future of the Heptonstall Christmas Tree.

For the past 3 years Heptonstall Lights and Planting Group (HeLP) and other volunteers have provided the village with a Christmas tree.  A resident in Weavers Square has very generously let us use his electricity for the tree lights free of charge.

Understandably this arrangement is not sustainable indefinitely and so HeLP has applied for planning permission to have a power cable installed in Weavers Square to provide electricity for the tree lights and for other existing events.  We do not wish this to lead to a mushrooming in the number of events held in the square. HeLP, who will hold the key to the supply, will only grant any additional access to it after proper consultation with residents in the vicinity.

HeLP have received a Community Grant from Calderdale to cover the cost of running a cable from the centre of the road under the wall into Weavers Square by the litter bin.  Northern Powergrid tell us the work will be completed in half a day to minimise disruption.  The power supply will be housed in a small stone box which will be attached to the inside of the wall adjacent to the sign to the toilets, protruding above the wall at about the same height.  The box will be 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft 4 ins with a lockable door.

This can only go ahead with the approval of Calderdale Council.  As part of their consultation process they will inform the Parish Council of our application.

If you wish to actively express your support send an email Roger Greenwood, Clerk of the Parish Council.

We hope you will be supportive of this scheme so we can continue to enjoy having a Christmas tree in the square.   

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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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HEPTONSTALL FORWARD ANNUAL BULB PLANTING EVENT

Bulb Planting October 14THE HEPTONSTALL FORWARD ANNUAL BULB PLANTING EVENT

took place on Saturday October 11th at 10 30 am. Members were kindly assisted by the Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr. Adrian Baldwin and Mr Derrick Palmer.

Much of the village and outlying area has been planted. But inevitably there are replenishments when bulbs cease to thrive. This year this was required on the garden area of Hepton Drive Park. However we also planted crocuses and snowdrops, for the first time, around the wooded area.

The new area we planted with daffodils was on the perimeter of St. Thomas’ old church.

This was a trial area, as there is a possibility that the weed killer used on the ground may inhibit the survival, or flowering of the bulbs.

Requests for bulbs were made for Heptonstall School and for Pinfold Lane. Half a bag of bulbs was supplied for each. Mr Norman Bailey is thanked for his offer to add to the planting of the latter.

Heptonstall Forward was pleased to donate and plant a bag of daffodils in the Methodist Churchyard in celebration of their 250th centenary.

The cost of this year’s bulbs was £105.39. We would like to thank anyone who contributed to the collection box in the post office, £8.61 was donated.

Mary Livesey. Secretary. Heptonstall Forward.

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Not for Profit Lunch on Festival Day

In order to support families on the day of the Heptonstall Festival, there will be a ‘not for profit’ lunch service from 1pm till 4pm down at the Social and Bowling Club.

A self help childrens lunch platter will be available for £1.50 per child, whilst adults can enjoy a beef or cheese pie with beans for £2.00 a head.

There will be a low cost 20p raffle for the littlies as well, so please come on down and support us during these hours.

Finally, there will be a ‘managed’ bouncy castle, also run  just to recoup hire and insurance costs.

For more info…contact Jan Lymer

01422 847979 / 07772 168812

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The Village Team – Recent Event Updates

The Village Team -Lunch at The Cross – Wednesday 27 August 2014

Our fourth Lunch Club event went very well last week, one resident said it was a fantastic opportunity to meet up with friends she had not seen in a while, whilst another commented on the fabulous Steak and Ale pie and chips for £4.00. Bargain!

Terry asked us to remind the village that this deal is available to ALL (young and old alike) from 12.00 til 3pm. Every Wednesday.

IF IFNext date Wed 24th September.  Come along and join in, the food is good and the atmosphere is warm and inviting.

Don’t forget!  …..It is only 2 weeks until our poetry morning. This will be more than just poems from ww1,  with 3 local published poets on hand to read from there works as well.

 

The Village Team -Lunch at The Cross – Wednesday 13 August 2014

IF‘Wonderful food, lovely atmosphere’ –  just some of the comments from our guests at this event.

The day was rounded off with the arrival of local resident and published poet Michael Crowley who came to talk through the next Poetry and Cake event organised by Eileen Barnes 87.

Pop it in your diary Sunday 7th of September 1.30 at the Bowling Club.

See fliers for details.

Many thanks to The Heptonstall Village Team for arranging transport to those who require it.

 

 

Cake and Conversation with the Shaggy Dog Storytellers – Sunday 10 August 2014

There were over 70 people present on the day… it was pouring with rain outside… but warm and welcoming in the Bowling Club as guests were entertained with songs and music from the Shaggy Dog Storytellers.  Nora 92…. stole the show with her wonderful voice and even more outrageous sense of humour.

Young and old (Paige 6 months,  Phyliss Walstow 100 and 2 weeks!) enjoyed the cake and sandwiches prepared by The Heptonstall Village Team,  and we all laughed at the wonderful tales told by the Shaggy Dog Storytellers.

This was one of a series of events designed to provide a varied, interesting and entertaining calender of social events for our elderly.  If you want to find out more, suggest ideas for us for the future, volunteer or help us with raffle prizes look at the team’s web pages.

Village Team Volunteers on sandwich duty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch Club at the Cross Inn – July 2014

 

 

Lunch Club at The Cross Inn – June 2014

 

 

Cake and Conversation – March 2014

 

 

Christmas Lunch – December 2013

 

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Cake and Conversation – 10 August 2014

To further promote the forthcoming Cake and Conversation Event on 10 August, Jan Lymer of the Village Team has the following message…

“Dear All,

Cake and Conversation

Click for a poster sized image

Most of you know me well enough by now to realise my heart is in the right place when it comes to things to do with our village.!

I really enjoyed helping to raise money for the Festival, and having considered that I have completed that task to my satisfaction, have turned my ever enthusiastic spirit to setting up something for the older community of Heptonstall. 

The Parish Council,  has been wonderful in granting us some cash to help us get up and off the ground, and the events we have arranged so far have been much appreciated by those who attended. 

In particular,  those residents in Elphin Court, Mytholm Meadows and Mytholm court,  who were moved down to Hebden when the old folks home in Heptonstall was closed down are really enjoying whizzing back up to The Cross and The Bowling Club, and meeting up with old friends and making some new ones.

What they would really like to do too, is to mix with the younger generations, and share stories from when they used to live up here. Hence this Sundays Cake And Conversation event 1.30, at the bowling club.

PhyllisAndTonyAtXmasLunchPhyliss Walstow, (100) pictured left, will be sitting by the door, ready to great you when you come (anyone fancying surprising her with a birthday card, would be most welcome!)

If you can’t attend, but would like to support us, we would be grateful for raffle prizes.

It would be great if it was a knockout event for families and the older generation. Could you please let me know if, you think you will be able to come so we can butter enough bread for sarnies!

PS – Any raffle prizes, that could be dropped with Tony at the Post Office or to May’s shop would be appreciated! “

Jan Lymer

01422 847979 / 07772 168812

 

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The Heptonstall Grand Depart Fell Race – 5 July 2014

TDF Race BuntingThe village celebrated the Tour de France weekend in Grand style, attracting visiting cyclists and runners from across the UK to the annual summer Fell Race. This year’s race, renamed the Heptonstall Grand Depart Fell Race, was a huge hit with cycling fans arriving in the area for the Tour de France the following day. Runners from London, Edinburgh, and the Midlands were among those taking advantage of the temporary Tour de France campsite at the bowling club, as 30 tents and camper vans pitched on the fields adjacent to the club. On a perfect summer’s evening, it was hard to imagine a better venue for pre-Tour de France celebrations; Heptonstall’s historic cobbled streets were decked out in bunting, hanging baskets, and of course, yellow bikes, whilst excited runners gathered in their colourful club vests on the Weaver’s Square Start-Line.

Organiser Stephen Grimley said: “The Heptonstall Hurriers and the village volunteers are getting quite a reputation for putting on races, our 100 visitors were full of praise for the beautiful village, its landscape, and well organised races, but above all, the community spirit, and warm welcome of the people of Heptonstall. The event was another big success. We raised around £400 for Heptonstall Festival and were delighted that so many of our friends, neighbours, and families got into Le Tour spirit, volunteering their support so generously. We could not have achieved any of this without their help”

TDF Party“The organisers and  runners would like to say a big thank you to the 30 marshals (mostly from the village), we hope they enjoyed their free pints! A massive thanks to Terry at The White Lion for hosting the race and generously providing all the prizes, we are also grateful to Anthony Holt for letting us use his field for parking/ race route. Hazel Noble and Penny and Mark Wharton also kindly allowed the race to pass through their fields. Mark Wigg and Mark Holman gave up a huge amount of their time helping us to set up and organise the race. Steve Hoyle form Blackshaw Head Fete provided the tents, whilst Alpine Outdoors of Hebden Bridge supplied race numbers”

TDF CakeThe wonderful post-race party was laid on by Jan, Guy, and the Village Team. The team set up French themed catering in the bunting-decorated court yard behind The Cross. Hundreds of locals and race goers gathered after the race to enjoy Tartiflette and wine under the bunting, whilst prizes were awarded to the race winners. Else Evans stole the show; she created a magnificent Tour de France chocolate cake which quickly disappeared, devoured by hordes of hungry runners.

Courtesy - The Woodentops

Courtesy – The Woodentops

In the race itself Calder Valley Fell Runners pair Karl Gray (England International) and Heptonstall’s own Holly Page (who also runs for England) demolished the men’s and women’s course records. Gray, tackling the race for the first time, sped round in 49 mins 37 seconds, smashing Christopher Smale previous best of 52:09 set in 2012. Joe Washington made it a 1-2 for Calder Valley with Richard Meade, an elite marathon runner who was part of a contingent of runners from Edinburgh in the area for the bike race, third. All three beat the previous record of Smale, who was 12th this time. Heptonstall based Holly Page came ninth of the 94 runners and won the women’s race for the third year in a row. Her time of 54:58 bettered the 55:42 of Holmfirth international runner Katie Walshaw in 2011.

International Mountain Runner Karl Gray, who is used to scaling The Three Peaks with the minim of fuss, remarked how tough the course had been. The 6 mile route, which has more than 1,600 feet of ascent, starts by heading up the cobbles, then plunges down to the Blue Pig before finding its way up 1000 feet of ascent to High Brown Knoll, the highest point on moors above Pecket Well. The race then returns in similar fashion, including a gruelling climb back through the woods from the Blue Pig.

That test wasn’t enough for Sikobe Litaba who ran approximately 30 miles from Glossop before taking part the race and beating 12 other runners back to the pub.

The next Heptonstall Fell Race will be the long, 15 mile race, which takes place in March 2015. We look forward to seeing another spectacular day for the village.

 

Steve Grimley.

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New events arranged by the Heptonstall Village Team

The Heptonstall Village Team aims to provide our older generation with a varied, interesting calendar of social activities. However, guests want to mix up the generations, and run events appealing to young and old alike.

We have 4 new events for your diaries:

Lunch at The Cross Inn: 12:00 – 2:30pm on Wednesdays 23rd July , 13th Aug, 27th Aug & 24th Sept

Gillian Whitaker and Jan Lymer

Gillian Whitaker and Jan Lymer

After the great support shown for the first lunch event, we now have 4 more for your diary. We will continue to take feedback and develop ideas for future. For these, we are also offering a range of home-made soups and sandwiches, as well as Sean’s amazing pie and fabulous chips! Scrabble, dominoes, whist drive etc will also be available.

If you need support to get there, please phone:

Jane Hartman 01422 846675/ Georgina Sutcliffe on 01422 845837/Jan Lymer 01422 847979

 

Cake & Conversation, with the Shaggy Dog Storytellers – Sunday 10th August: 1 – 4pm at the Social & Bowling Club.

Cake and ConversationThe ladies and gents of Heptonstall would love to invite ALL people who love living here to a wonderful day of storytelling, music and reminiscences about Heptonstall.

The average age of the team developing and delivering this event for your entertainment is 95, with one lady of 100 and a couple more knocking on the door to 100!

£5 including afternoon tea of sandwich & cakes.

This will be a wonderful family day for all age ranges, with professional story-telling

from Calder Valley’s very talented bunch. Please encourage your family, friends and neighbours to attend. This will be a day to remember for some time to come, as well as a chance to meet up with old friends, or make some new ‘old’ friends.

To reserve a place, email boattart@gmail.com, or ring Jan on 01422 847979.

Click on image to see full size poster version you can print out and put up in your window of on your local notice board.

 

Coach Trip to Knaresborough: Wednesday 17th September

The trip is on a Knaresborough market day, leaving Heptonstall at 10:30am, & picking up at, or near, Mytholm Court at approx. 10:40. En route, we will stop for a comfort break, arriving in Knaresborough around 1pm. After a leisurely look around the shops etc, we will stop at a fish and chip restaurant for tea on our way back, and arrive back in Heptonstall by 6:30 – 7:00. Coach cost is £10 (to be collected ahead of the day). Please phone Jane Hartman on 01422 846675 to secure your place ASAP, and no later than 1st Sept. For transport to and from the Bowling Club, if needed, phone Jan on 01422 847979

 

Poetry Reading with Eileen Barnes – Sunday 7th September – 1pm onwards at The Bowling Club

Eileen Barnes

Eileen Barnes

Poetry and afternoon tea 7 9 14 300Another amazing Heptonstall Village family day; three local poets will be reading a selection of First World War poetry as well as work from their own publications.

Award winning Sarah Corbett, who has been shortlisted for the T.S.Eliot and Forward prizes, will be joined by Simon Rennie and Michael Crowley, as well as poetry from the floor by many current and former residents of the parish area.

£5.00 entrance including a sandwich, cake and refreshments.

This social event, open to all, is being organised by Eileen Barnes, 85, who lived in Heptonstall Parish for most of her life, and now resides in Mytholm Court.

Once again, to reserve a place contact Jan on 01422 847979 or email boattart@gmail.com

 

The Heptonstall Village Team                                                                       

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Heptonstall Traffic Group Report, July 2014

Following a request by the Traffic Group the police have taken action to enforce the Village 20mph zone. Results of this action have so far shown no significant infringement.

Calderdale Council have agreed a policy to introduce 20mph speed limits in all residential areas in the Borough over the next three years. The Council is currently considering how the policy is to be implemented. The initiative may resolve the question as to how we get the present 20mph zone in Heptonstall extended to cover all built-up areas in the Parish.

Traffic obstruction problems due to inconsiderate parking on Longfield/Southfield appear to have eased following the introduction of ‘mini-buses’ but problems caused by parking outside and above and below the Cross seem to be on the increase. This problem is under investigation to see how it may be resolved.

Preliminary work has been carried out to introduce ‘decorative’ Village entry signs welcoming visitors and requesting careful driving. This is another part of our campaign to slow drivers down and make the Village safer.

Planning has provided advice on how we might best obtain permission for a new off-road car park on Valley View Road. Preliminary proposals have been drawn up to obtain further feedback on feasibility from Planning and Highways. The proposals call for road widening to accommodate off-road parallel parking for up to 21 cars.

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Heptonstall Lights and Planting Group Front of House Competition

DSC_1268The Heptonstall Lights and Planting Group Front of House Competition was won this year by David Flint of Townfield (see pic.) and a runner up prize was given to Bernice Briggs of Smithwell Lane.

The group would also like to make special mention of both pubs who have helped brighten up the village this year with their impressive displays of flowers.

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Plant and Hanging Basket Workshop

HeLP is planning to hold a free workshop in Weavers Square  –  learn how to create a lovely hanging basket or planter and  take it home with you. Everything you might need will be available, with plants to buy.

Saturday 14th June at 11.0 – 2.0 pm.

The Tour de France will bring us lots of visitors – we’d like to decorate the village  together and make it even more attractive this summer.

We will also be running our annual Front of House competition to coincide with the race; judging will take place on the race weekend  –  so get your tubs and baskets ready and see if you can win a prize!

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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”

 

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New Hope – Slack Cultural Centre

The following comment was sent to Heptonstall village website by Brian Hemsworth, Trustee of New Hope, the organisation connected with Slack Chapel.

“We were asked by people at the meeting on the 9th of April to give an update of what our intensions were after we met as a committee. below is our response.

“A meeting had been arranged at Colton Primary School [sic] to appraise residents of New Hope’s vision to restore the building for use as a ” Recovery Centre” for those recovering from various addictions.

“The meeting was attended by around 100 people but sadly did not afford those representing New Hope the courtesy of being allowed to present the proposed use,due to constant disruptions.
We were asked at the end of the meeting to let those who attended, know of our future intentions.

“At our New Hope committee meeting on Friday 11th April it was decided that we would continue with the proposal.
It is therefore intended to submit a planning application in due course.

“This process will ensure that local residents can submit their views on the application to the planning authority.”

Brian Hemsworth. New Hope Trustee.

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Hit the trail! Calder Valley charity to launch innovative new e-trails next month.

PennineHeritageOn Saturday 12 April, from 10am to 4pm, Hebden Bridge based charity Pennine Horizons will be launching four new electronic trails to enhance four walks in the Calder Valley area. The launch will take place at a special open day at the Birchcliffe Centre, Birchcliffe Road, Hebden Bridge.

The e-trails (or audio commentaries) can be downloaded to a phone or mp3 player and include interesting stories of local events and people of note as well as information about of the awe-inspiring ecology and outstanding industrial heritage of the area. The trails are:

  • A walk around Charlestown – a three mile trail looking at the 18th and 19th century industrial history on a walk along the Rochdale canal and through the wooded valley around Charlestown.
  • The power in the landscape – a six mile trail through the beautiful Colden Valley looking at the early 19th century water powered industry.
  • Cragg Vale – a lovely walk through the vale exploring the fascinating history of the area
  • Sam Hill – Follow in the footsteps of Sam Hill, a great wool baron who lived around the beautiful Ryburn Valley in the 1700s

Visitors are welcome to drop in to the launch day between 10am and 4 pm to find out more about the new trails as well as a further nine trails which are currently being developed across the Calder Valley. This is likely to include a version of the Heptonstall Trail. They can also find out how they can get involved in the Pennine Horizons project and sign up for future guided walks in the area

As part of the launch, Pennine Horizons will also lead a FREE guided walk around Hebden Bridge on the group’s Tree Trail, looking at the fascinating history of how trees and wood were utilised in the area. This will start at the Birchcliffe Centre at 2pm. Spaces are limited so you will need to book in advance by contacting Vicky on Vicky@pennine-horizons.org.uk. The walk will take about 2.5 hours and involves some hills and muddy paths, so please come prepared with sensible footwear.

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. The event in April will provide visitors with a great opportunity to see the work we have been doing and we hope that some of them will join us on the free guided walk on the day.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to help to develop the charity’s walks and trails, support events, education groups or digital archive project can contact the organisation via email:  info@pennine-horizons.org.uk or phone: 01422 844450 or visit the charity’s website at www.pennineheritage.org.uk

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Heptonstall Slack Cultural Trust, Slack Top , Heptonstall

STCOver the last couple of years you may have been aware of some changes at Slack Top Centre which you may know as Slack Chapel.

External renovations were completed two years ago but the trust subsequently had administrative problems which resulted in the building being closed. These problems have now been resolved and we find ourselves looking to the future and endeavouring to use the building in keeping with our trust deed, which is to provide low cost temporary accommodation for people of limited means, encouraging care and concern for the countryside, and for the promotion of the Christian Faith. Previously these aims were met in the form of a self-catering hostel primarily for young people alongside the work of Mount Zion Baptist Chapel, the church which met on the premises. For various reasons this is no longer a viable plan for the building and we have been looking at alternative uses.

The trust is now negotiating a partnership with another charity, New Hope, who will work with us to renovate the internal fabric of the centre and establish a new use for the building still in keeping with our trust deed, which brings us to the reason for this letter.

We have been working closely with the Calderdale planning department which includes the conservation officer as the building is grade2 listed. The charity we are working with supports people with addictions and wishes to establish a residential rehabilitation centre. In order for this to go ahead we need to apply for a change of use on the building and in doing so wish to consult with the local community.

To facilitate this we have organised an open meeting on Wednesday 9th April at 7.30pm, in Colden School, the trustees of the building will be there as well as the director of New Hope to answer your questions and concerns. For those of you who cannot make this meeting we welcome your input either by mail to the above address or e-mail to joannehulmestc@yahoo.co.uk.

We know some of you may be concerned about the impact this will have on the church that has met in the building. The leadership of Mount Zion Baptist Chapel have been working closely with the trustees and are long term supporters of the New Hope charity. They are fully behind this change in direction, and are looking forward to the opportunities it will bring to serve the local community alongside New Hope. In the meantime they continue to meet at Heptonstall Bowling Club.

Please feel free to contact us for further information and we look forward to meeting some of you on the 9th. It would be good to see this building restored and used then to help restore people, a cause we are sure the original congregation of 1878 would have considered worthy.

More information on New Hope can be seen below.

The Slack Top Centre Trustees

Slack Top Vision

We are a charity and have been running a non residential rehab for people with addictions in Leeds for 14 years. We have had over 2500 people come through our doors in that time and have had some success in seeing people come of their addiction and returning to normal life. We work closely with doctors and government agencies to see that the people we deal with will get the best help they need.

In the past few years we have seen the need for a residential centre and have been actively looking for the last year. We have known Jason and Joanne for 12 years and met them to discuss the use of the Slack Top Centre for that purpose.

Our Purpose:

To accommodate up to 8 people in the centre for a period of 3 months at a time. They would have to be detoxed before coming to us.

When they arrive there will be a very controlled environment for them with full time staff and part time staff on site at all times. The people would have to remain free of drugs in the facility for the complete duration of their stay.

Each person would have an individual care plan and would have to agree to do work in the community while here. There will be very strict rules of conduct in and outside of the centre, any one breaking them will be sent home immediately. The people coming here will be put through an entrance check so that only those serious will be allocated a place.

What would this entail for You

There would be opportunities for you to come into the facility on open days to see what happens. There would also be an opportunity for any practical work you would need doing such as gardening or small decorating jobs.

We will be arranging meetings for you to put your point of view across in case you have any issues or fears.

Or you can have as little as possible to do with us.

Have there been any other places like this in a small community:

Yes there are. We have two who we know very well, one down in Norwich called Hebron; the other is in Northern Ireland called the Stauros Foundation.

Both have facilities in small hamlets and have very good relationships with the local people who have had no problems at all.