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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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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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Grant Applications to Parish Council

If your organisation wishes to be considered for a Grant from the Parish Council you need to be aware of the Protocol below :

PROTOCOL FOR GRANTS (GENERAL)

1. Grants should be applied for in writing under the criteria laid down by the Parish Council (PC) which has sole discretion in respect of making an award.

2. All Grant claims should be received by the PC by 30 November in respect of payments to be made in the following financial year (commencing 1 April), and should be accompanied by a copy of the claimant’s Constitution, Committee structure (if any) and bank account details together with a copy of the latest audited accounts.

3. All Grants of £250 or less will be paid in a lump sum after the first PC meeting of the financial year. There will be no requirement for the organisation to account to the PC for the way it has spent the Grant.

4. No organisation will be given more than one Grant of £250 or less in any financial year.

5. For Grants over £250 it will be necessary for the organisation to discuss the application with PC members at a meeting to be held in either November or December each year which should include an agreement with the PC as to how it wishes the Grant to be paid. This will normally be by means of staged payments.
The PC will require evidence of the expenditure for each claim except where such payments are contributing to the day to day administration of the organisation, and shall require the completion of a ‘feedback’ form.

6. If the Grant is given for a specific project the PC will require evidence of the fulfilment of the project.

An application form can be downloaded here or obtained from :

Roger M Greenwood
The Clerk
Heptonstall Parish Council
The Mallards
Underbank
HEBDEN BRIDGE
HX7 6PP

Tel : 01422 844283

E-mail : rmghpc@hotmail.com

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Family Ceilidh draws closer

The Ceilidh at the Bowling Club, with local band Three Men and a Box, is less than a fortnight away on Saturday, 7 March, from 6.30pm.

The band appeared at the Heptonstall Festival last September and at the Burns Supper Night last month. Justin, Mark and Daz came together last year to form the band. They play a wide selection of music from Reggae, folk and their own compositions.

Three Men and a Box 2Mark plays guitars, Daz plays bass and Justin plays piano accordion. Mark has played with other bands over the years as has Daz who currently plays in a number of different bands. Justin has played with mostly Scottish ceilidh bands over the years and still competes at national level.

Everyone of all ages is welcome, with or without children. The lights will go down and the music will turn up a notch from 9pm.

Don’t worry if you’ve never tried ceilidh dancing before, the band have secured the services of a ‘caller’ for this night, so those of you who want to take a turn on the dance floor, bring your dancing shoes!

Tickets will be £5 (children free) and there will also be a good value  supper food, home-made potato and meat pie, or potato, cheese and onion pie, with either baked beans or peas, for £2.50.

Gail King, event organiser, said: “Please support this event, as it is a valuable venue for us all in Heptonstall, and it would be good to get the place swinging.”

Tickets from Tony at the Post Office, or on the night on the door. The event will benefit Heptonstall Village Team, which organises events for older members of the community.

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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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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

 
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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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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.”

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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.

 

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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 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.

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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.

 

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Christmas Tree Sale and Lights Switch On

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

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

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

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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                                                                    

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Heptonstall Brownies

Sandra McNeill, Leader of Heptonstall Brownies has been in touch……

“After 15+ years of being a leader at Heptonstall Brownies, myself and Teresa Batist have decided to hand over the reins to Angie Mossman and Melissa King.  Both have been helping out and gradually taking over the unit for the last 18 months so we know we are passing on our incredibly popular unit to two very keen and capable people. 

The unit meets term time at Heptonstall School Thursdays 6.30-7.45.  We all consider running the Brownie sessions a great chance to wind down from our usual daily jobs, get all the training needed, meet new friends and it looks great on a CV!

However, this means that the unit cannot run without at least one more adult helper, preferably two (Girl Guiding rules insist on a 1:8 ratio).  It also means with four adults that at any week that one leader needs to be away, there isn’t a problem.  Also of course, the behind the scenes work is then shared!

I have promised to continue to do the accounts for the unit at least for now, but would also like to pass this on if any one would feel able to take over this role.

If anyone out there (aged 18+) would like to know more about helping at the unit please contact me by email .  Without at least one more person the unit faces closure or at the very least, regular cancelled sessions.

Many thanks

Sandra…”

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Halloween Lunch at The Cross

Guy and Jan HallowenGuests at the Heptonstall Village Team lunch were surprised and a little taken aback when they were served by witches, skeletons, Draculas and other spooky creatures.

There were over 20 guests at this fun event. Anyone is welcome to come and join in the fun….. You won’t be discriminated against…. even if you think you are under age! Honest!

These events are lively, intelligent fun and aim to get the generations to mix up a bit. We often get old friends up from Mytholm Court and Mytholm Meadows as well as Elphin Court.

Our next 2 are :

Wed 19th November and Wed 10th December

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Heptonstall Race Night!

It is all too easy to get caught up in a fast paced hi tech life.

What a wonderful, easy going funny evening at the Heptonstall Sports and Social Club recently.

Laminated board, square cardboard horses, and a pack of extra large playing Race Night cards was all it took to get people of their seats and shouting for their particular nag to win!

The evening was only a fiver and included a pie and pea supper.

Funds were raised for much needed running repairs, and to convert one of the toilets for wheelchair access in time for the Heptonstall Village Team Christmas Lunch.

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