Local information

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Tour de France comes to Yorkshire, but not quite to Heptonstall !

YGD-members-bannerOn July 6th 2014, Calderdale hosts 22 miles of the the world’s biggest annual sporting event as the Tour de France comes to Yorkshire, generating an estimated £100 million for the regional economy.

Le Tour will not pass directly through any part of Heptonstall, Colden or Blackshaw, but the influx of visitors will have a huge impact on our communities. There will be many issues to consider such as parking, camping, bus service, road closures etc.

At a public meeting in Heptonstall on 27 January, Katie Kinsella, ‎Principal Officer-Tourism at Calderdale MBC, spoke about how the event will affect the locality.

On the day, Sunday 6 July 2014, Stage 2 of the Grand Départ enters Calderdale at Cock Hill passing over the summit of a climb between Oxenhope and Hebden Bridge. From there the riders will descend quickly as the road cuts through the open moorland, passing through Peckett Well and Wadsworth and onto the super-fast tree lined descent to Hebden Bridge.  The route then continues from Hebden Bridge to Mytholmroyd on the flat of the A646 for a short distance, before taking on England’s longest continuous road climb, Cragg Vale, as part of the 200km Stage 2 between York and Sheffield.

A great many visitors will come to the area over the weekend, and the A6033 Keighley Road and A646 Halifax Road from Hebden Bridge will be closed for much of the race day from about 7:00am (final details yet to be announced – updates at http://letour.yorkshire.com/road-closures).

Prior to the race itself, due through Hebden Bridge at about 1:30pm, the seven mile long “Caravan” will pass along the route from around 11:45am.  This cavalcade of floats, decorated cars and other vehicles moves along the route, throwing out goodies and free samples to the spectators, and is a massive advertising stunt. The Caravan, made up of the Tour’s official sponsors, is followed by a long line of official cars, technical vehicles, media and motorbikes, lights flashing, horns sounding, all warming up the spectators for the actual event itself.

All this will be a great spectacle for all, and is expected to bring a great deal of business for local traders and businesses.

More details about the event are available on the Visit Calderdale website event page, or on the Welcome to Yorkshire website.

Heptonstall’s own Fell Race is being planned to take place on Saturday 5 July 2014, adding more local interest to this exciting weekend.

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Bush Tucker Trial and Barbeque

The Cross Inn is following up Thursday’s haggis supper with a family event “Bush Tucker Trial” event from 5pm on Sunday, 26 January.
Try your stomach with a large and wacky variety of strange foods. There are prizes to be won with all proceeds to local charities.
For the more “traditional” palate, there will also be a family barbeque. Terry looks forward to seeing you there.

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Northern Powergrid: online registration for Priority Services Register (PSR)

Northern Powergrid has launched an improved online registration process for its Priority Services Register (PSR) for those customers who feel they are particularly vulnerable and would benefit from additional support during a power cut. New features now allow carers or relatives to register on behalf of a vulnerable person and also let those registering set the length of time they wish to be on the register. Reminders will be sent automatically to extend or end their registration. The PSR pages include tips on energy efficiency and contacts for organisations offering support and advice on heating and fuel bills.

http://www.northernpowergrid.com/page/powercuts/priority.cfm for more details…

 

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Meat Raffle

The Cross Inn is now running a regular Sunday evening meat raffle, tickets priced £1.

Raffle of farm fresh meat starts at 7pm, with eight winners of a large selection of meat. 

 

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Public Meeting about Fell Race and Tour de France

ADMIN.POSTER.Tour-de-FranceThere will be a public meeting about the Tour de France and the Fell Race at Heptonstall School Hall  on 27 January 2014 at 7:30pm.

Calderdale Council’s Head of Tourism will provide information and be available for questions

– everyone welcome.

 

Click here to download a copy of the poster.

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Burns Night at the Cross Inn

A traditional Burns Supper Night will be held at the Cross Inn in aid of the Heptonstall Festival on Thursday, January 23, with bagpipes and the address to the haggis.

The menu is haggis (or veggie haggis), neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes), followed by sticky toffee pudding with whiskey sauce, all for £7.50. Please reserve your place at The Cross Inn- 01422 843284.

Robert Burns’ address to the haggis, together with a translation, can be found here.

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New take-away

The Cross Inn is now doing take-aways as well as eat in menus on Friday and Saturday evenings, as follows:.

Home made pizzas from 5pm-10.30pm eat in as an addition to the menu or take out £6.50 Fri & sat
Also;
Curry night on a Tues, curry + a pint/med wine £6.50
Fish & chips on a Fri take out or eat in £5.25

The new landlord is planning several events, watch this space for further details.

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Cross Inn update

The Cross Inn page has now been updated with new opening times and information. New landlord Terry is also planning a special New Year’s Eve celebration with live entertainment and a hot buffet.

 

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A Celebration of Sylvia Plath

A Celebration of Sylvia Plath in music, poetry, and readings will be held on Sunday, 15 December, followed by a party with klezmer/gypsy music, including the first performance of a new piece by local musicians. Starts at 4pm at the White Lion pub, Heptonstall.

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Heptonstall School Fair

pfa school poster

This weekend is a busy one in Heptonstall. On Saturday, Christmas trees will be on sale in Weavers’ Square from 3pm, with all proceeds to the Heptonstall Lights and Planting Group.

Hebden Bridge Brass Band will play from 5.30pm for the switch-on of the Christmas tree lights. At 6pm they will move into the White Lion, where pie and peas will be served.

On Sunday, Heptonstall School’s Christmas fair runs from 2pm to 4pm in the school hall, with attractions including Santa’s grotto, games for the children, face painting and many other stalls.

Further ahead, Christmas events include:

Sunday, 15 December, 3pm, Christingle Service at St Thomas’.

Sunday, 15 December, time tbc, a concert of Klezmer music at the White Lion.

Sunday, 22 December, 10.45am, Nativity Service in the Methodist Chapel. Children from the village and school are invited to take part in this enjoyable event. We also need a baby to play Jesus – contact Margaret Coupe on 01422 842550 if you want to put your baby on the road to stardom.

Sunday 22 December 6.30pm, Village Carol Service at St Thomas.

Wednesday, 25 December, 9.30am, Joint Christmas Day Service at the Methodist Chapel.

 

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Do you think The Cross is a valuable asset to the Village?

Cross InnDo you think The Cross is a valuable asset to the Village?

Do you think it’s important to keep two pubs open in Heptonstall?

If so, you could support our campaign to register The Cross as an Asset of Community Value!

This is about showing community support for an important part of village life and history.

How does this help?

  • IF the owner wants to sell the asset (or apply for change of use) they must inform the local authority of their intention.
  • IF the owner decides to sell, this triggers a 6 week moratorium for a community organisation to decide if they would like to bid for it.
  • After this, there is a further 6 month moratorium to develop a proposal and raise funds.
  • Basically, it gives the village time to do something about it and an opportunity to be involved.
  • BUT there is no obligation or commitment, even once the property is listed. It just gives the option.

There is a working committee (open to anyone willing to help) planning to submit an application to Calderdale Council to list The Cross public house as an Asset of Community Value. To do this, we need a minimum of 21 local people (registered on the electoral role) to sign the nomination form. Copies can be found at The White Lion pub, Towngate Tearooms and in the Post Office. We want as many villagers as possible to show their support by signing up.

We also need to gather evidence that the pub furthers the social wellbeing and social interests of the local community. We would love to hear of any events that have taken place in the past that have been important to you, your friends or family as well as any quotes on your memories of the pub. You can email details or post them through to us at the address below.

If this is important to you, please take the time to show your support. This does not commit you to any involvement in the project – it simply means you support the idea and would like the listing to be approved by the council.

On behalf of The Cross Asset Working Group (T’CAWG)

If you would like any further information or to add any comments, you can contact

Nic & Steve Corrigan at 6 Church Street, by email at niccorrigan(at)yahoo.co.uk or on 01422 843397.

 

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Bell-ringing at St Thomas’ Church

As most residents will be aware, St Thomas’ church possesses a fine ring of 8 bells, which were originally installed in 1912 and were fully refurbished in 2012. They are rung regularly for Sunday service (at least once a month), for practice/training of new ringers (most Tuesday evenings), full peals (once a month) and by visiting ringers from various parts of the country (occasional).

We are always looking for new ringers and currently rely on help from ringers from other churches in the area. As many will be aware, our oldest ringer and tower captain for over 50 years, Colin Ashworth, passed away in October 2013 and we have in recent years also lost two other longstanding members, Nick Helliwell and Geoff Cheetham. To ensure that the bells continue to ring out into the future, we do now need more local people to come forward and join us. Anyone who would like to learn more about bell-ringing and may be interested in becoming a member of our team, please feel free to contact George Campling for further information (details below).

Refurbished bells

We are also very keen to keep residents informed about our ringing activities and we recognise that  people would appreciate advance notice of any prolonged periods of ringing, such as the monthly peals, which last for approx. 3 hours at a time. These are already posted on the weekly notice of church services and activities in the church porch, but in an attempt to reach a wider audience the details are also published on this website.

Ringing planned over the next few months is as follows:

Sunday mornings (10.30-11.30):  1 September, 22 September, 17 November, 1 December

Tuesday practices (19.45-21.00): most Tuesdays (generally not the first Tuesday in the month)

Peals (approx. 3 hours’ continuous ringing):

Friday 20 September 15.00-18.15 approx

Friday 4 October 14.30-17.45 approx

Saturday 19 October 14.30-17.45

Please note that all timings are approximate, owing to the fact that generally ringers are travelling to the church from outside the area. There is however regular liaison with the local Environmental Health Department, to ensure that the overall level of ringing is kept within agreed guidelines.

A further update will be provided in November

Many thanks for your support……and look forward to hearing from you!

George Campling

Ringing Master, St Thomas’ church

01200-429344

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An Invitation to Join “The Performance Ensemble”.

Plans are underway for an exciting community performance project for Calder Valley residents to be delivered in early 2014.

If you are close to 60 or above and have lots of stories to tell, this is for you. Set in a dance hall this quirky, romantic performance will include acting, singing, dancing, visual arts and live music. Local stories will be woven into the piece with volunteer performers, musicians and artists coming together to make this happen.

The Performance Ensemble is the brain child of Alan Lyddiard, an accomplished theatre director with a passion for creating community theatre with older people. Alan will be attending on September 14th to talk a little about the project, to answer any questions you might have and to listen to your ideas for the event too.

This informal get-together will take place upstairs at the church and there is a lift if you need one. Downstairs the infamous Mytholmroyd Marmaladies will be holding their ‘Marvellous Market’ so there’s plenty to do. There’s a café too.

Joe Standerline is the community Liaison Contact for the Performance Ensemble. Joe is a playwright and creative coach who’s helping to spread the word and ensure as many local residents know about the project as possible. If you’d like to know more, please give Joe a call on 0794 1234 313 or email joe’@’mycoachjoe.co.uk.

Mytholmroyd Methodist Church
Scout Rd. Mytholmroyd. HX7 5QD
Saturday 14 September 2013
11am to 12.30 pm.

If you can’t attend this time but would like to get involved in the project please let Joe know so he can keep you informed. Please feel free to forward this to friends and family.

See you there for the start of something wonderful.

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Local family records

The Community website regularly receives enquiries from people researching family history which typically ask if we can assist with information about relatives that may have lived in the Heptonstall parish area in the past.

We in turn would be interested to know where such information may be found, and what arrangements are in place for such information to be accessed, in order that we can respond to the enquiries in the fullest way possible.

If anyone has any knowledge on this subject, please get in touch using the Contact Us page.

 

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New Chef at Cross Inn

A new chef is starting work at the Cross Inn with a themed night of food from his native Thailand on Thursday.

Landlord Simon Fancy said: “Tatts wants to show people what he can cook.

“Every month we will have one night a week with a special. Thai nights will run for a month, then steak nights, etc.

“Tatts is a very good chef who can cook Italian, French and other continental dishes so I am sure we won’t short of inspiration for our speciality nights.

“The food we will be serving will all be freshly prepared and cooked on the premises all from local suppliers so I can guarantee the food should go down a storm.”

On offer from 5pm will be a choice of 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 desserts. Two courses are £13.99 and three courses are £14.99.

The regular menu will start on Friday serving 12noon – 3pm, then 5pm – 9pm on weekdays; and from 12noon – 8pm on Saturday and Sundays.

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Calling all residents of Heptonstall, Slack, Colden, Blackshaw Head and surrounding areas!

The ‘I spy with my little eye…’ Community Bunting Project needs you!

The idea is to create an ever growing set of bunting flags, which can be treasured by the community for many years to come. It can be brought out to decorate community events and could even be exhibited if we want. Each individual flag should be created and designed by a different household/family/individual.

The design should be inspired by the theme of ‘our villages and the views all around us – near or far’. This can be interpreted however you like – be it of a monument like Stoodley Pike or Heptonstall Church; or something more personal to you such as your washing blowing in the wind, your guitar, your favourite tree or your dog!

Expect to see the first display of the flags at the Heptonstall Festival on Saturday 21st September 2013. The next event that we plan to have the flags displayed at is when the Tour de France cycles its way through Hebden Bridge on Sunday 6 July 2014. There is another local group who are aiming to line Cragg Road – the longest steady incline of any road in England – with bunting flags to celebrate Hebden and the surrounding area. Let’s add our bunting to this event too. Any other ideas for upcoming events please let us know.

How to get involved…

Perhaps this project has been passed to you by a friend and you already have the flag template, but if not, the templates are on display on the notice boards at the following places: Heptonstall Post office, Heptonstall School, Colden School and May’s Farm Shop. The template is just a paper template, made from an A4 piece of paper, to show you the correct size of the triangular bunting flag. Draft your own copy of the template and do one to pass on to a friend too. Once you have your template, find your own fabric, new or reused and cut out your flag. Cut two, if you’re doing both sides.

On the front – do your design inspired by the theme of ‘our villages and the views all around us – near or far’ – using whatever fabrics you like and by whatever means – be it sticking, hand stitching, machine stitch, patchwork, knitting or appliqué. Anything goes!

On the back – put letters to describe the view you’ve chosen e.g. SP for Stoodley Pike, HC for Heptonstall Church, T for Tree, B for Bluebells etc. This is so that children can play an ‘I Spy’ game with the flags when they are displayed.

Once you have completed both sides, return the flags to the friend who passed this project onto you or Heptonstall Post Office, Colden School Office or Heptonstall School Office. Make sure you include the following information on a piece of paper – your name, which village you live in, the date and a description of your flag and any other comments about how special this ‘view’ is to you. These bits of paper will be kept and made into a scrapbook for the project.

Thanks so much for taking part, please spread the word and pass this on to your friends! Any questions please contact anothercuriousidea@gmail.com or zeitgeisthair@gmail.com.

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Community Balsam Bash in Colden Clough

Community-Balsam-Bash-In-CoPlease come and lend a hand in removing Himalayan Balsam from Colden Clough.  for a number of years this plant has been spreading across the Upper Calder Valley out-competing our native plants and causing soil erosion. From 10:00am on Saturday 29 June and 27 July 2013.

We’ll split into two groups, one meeting at the Play Area next to Eaves Avenue, and one at the Old Stone Bridge where the Pennine Way crosses Colden Water at the top of the clough.

Please come dressed fro the occasion with long sleeves, gloves, boots and long trousers as the balsam is growing amongst nettles and brambles.  Hopefully we won’t need them but waterproofs may come in handy too.

You may also wish to bring along some lunch and refreshments, depending on how long you plan to stay.

More details at http://forestplans.co.uk/colden-clough/.             Click on image to download poster to publicise this event.

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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. 

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Pub update

Details on The Cross page have now been updated with a message from Simon and Sophie.

Heptonstall.org aims to have up-to-date details of all groups and businesses in the area. If you think yours might be wrong, or if you want to be included, please get in touch through the comments section.

Let us know if you’re planning a special event too, and we’re always happy to give you a shout out!

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Great Rock Co-operative opens

A new food co-operative, Great Rock Co-op, has opened at Staups Lea Farm, beyond Blackshaw Head, selling everything from meat to rhubarb.

Local producers can take their food to the shop, which takes a 20% cut of the proceeds. It is staffed by volunteers and is open on Saturdays between 10am and 2pm.

So far, producers selling through the shop include Bridestones Brewery, Pextenement, Craggs Cakes, Crimsworth Farm, Clare’s Bread and Burnt Edge Farm.

On Saturday it featured in the Yorkshire Post.

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Statement from William Turnbull

A message from Heptonstall Forward communications group: we were recently contacted by William Turnbull, owner of the Cross, offering information about the Cross pub. As this has been a controversial subject in the village,  we don’t intend to continue the disputes here.  However we believe that people will welcome more information about the pub’s future. Mr Turnbull’s remarks below:

“The pub is open again and there are new tenants in, Simon and Sophie, a young couple from Oldham. I’ve told them I just want it running in the same way, to give the people in the village what they want.

“They are interviewing a new chef on Monday and will be doing food again, the same kind as before. I’ve put in new carpets, new flooring, new tables and chairs, and re-done the beer garden.

“I own half of the barn at the back. I’m negotiating to buy the other half, which is the old toilets. I’m then going to apply for planning permission to turn it into four bedrooms for bed-and-breakfast, to encourage walkers into the village.

“I bought the Cross pub to save it as a pub. I lost the pub in my home village and whenever I’ve got some spare money from my business I buy a pub to save them. I bought the Railway in Hebden Bridge for the same reason.

“ I’ve no interest in turning them into Chinese restaurants or Indian takeaways or anything else. I hope in time people in Heptonstall will be pleased that it’s been saved as a pub.”