After delighting us at last year’s event with their heartfelt songs and sublime music Harry and MK return this year.
We’re really pleased they’ve agreed to come back!
Artist Update: James Paul
Returning for a second year James Paul astounded all those who caught his set last year. His technically brilliant guitar playing will leave you amazed. Certainly one to catch this year, and one to watch for the future..
Photo: Rory Prior
Festival Update: Best Dressed Window Competition
The Actual Wizard of Oz will be looking for the Best Dressed Window in Heptonstall with the theme of “somewhere over the rainbow”.
Do your best between now and festival day, and post the pictures on our Facebook page for a chance to win with a prize to be presented by The Wizard Himself on festival day!
click here to visit our facbook page
Artist Update: The Last Chance Saloon Band
The LAST CHANCE SALOON BAND brings a Hoedown with attitude for the 21st century with swinging tunes and dances.
Their high energy show mixes dynamic songs with traditional tunes, and country takes on modern classics.
Artist Update: Tiny Minds
We’re really excited to welcome local band The Tiny Minds to the festival bill this year.
The Tiny Minds are a 3 piece band from Hebden Bridge, whose folk, blues and psychedelia soaked pop reflect their tranquil and unique surroundings.
Described by DNA festival as ‘dreamy pop rock’, with ‘influential swoon’…
Artist Update: The Lottery Winners
“Born in Salford and raised on romance, The Lottery Winners can be found at the exact midpoint between the North West’s dual musical Meccas of Manchester and Liverpool. Though Liverpool and Manchester have claimed many a legendary artist as their own, more often than not they hailed from somewhere betwixt the two, somewhere beneath Blake’s ‘dark satanic mills’, somewhere in Lancashire, somewhere called Leigh. The birthplace of Georgie Fame and the Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley, Leigh has done it again, spawning the best live band to emerge from the North-West in a generation:The Lottery Winners.”
We’re fantastically excited to be able to announce that The Lottery Winners will be joining the bill for a headline set at Heptonstall Festival this year. If you haven’t managed to catch these guys yet, you’re in for a real treat as this indie- pop quartet blend momentous melodies with wistful and insightful lyrics.
“The songs are the most important thing in the world to me, if they’re ever even a tiny fraction as important to other people, I’ll die a very happy man.” Thomas Rylance, frontman and songwriter.
Although the band have played extensively live, supporting the likes of The Futureheads, Jamie Cullum, The Charlatans and The Enemy, building up a loyal family of fans in the process, they’ve kept studio releases to a minimum. A very limited edition debut EP, Somebody Loved You, was released in April 2013 and those lucky enough to get their hands on a copy were rewarded with five nuggets of perfectly formed singalong gold, every lyric and guitar hook lovingly crafted with microscopic precision.
Have a listen for yourself:
Artist Update: Featherteeth
Local duo Featherteeth are added to the bill for the Heptonstall festival this year, bringing their unique blend of avant-garde psychedelic rock to the festival line-up.
Brothers, Daz and Rew Brown, began playing in bands together in the early 90s starting with Heywood based death metal band Eternal Fear. Then, with a change in direction, towards avant-garde psychedelic rock, went on to be in another four bands together; Mr Lucky Bags, who experimented with tape loops and samples, ambient wild-track and found sounds along with guitar, vocals, bass and drums. Phorm, who were a Bristol based three piece consisting of guitar, vocals, bass and drums. Egg Tent, which included flute and saxophone. As well as Cookie Cutter who incorporated an electronic/dance element. One thing which remained consistent throughout each incarnation of the band was the unique sound that the Brown brothers had been constantly developing over twenty years. So when Cookie Cutter split up, the decision was made to continue as a two piece utilising and experimenting with looping and guitar synth technology, and Featherteeth was born.
Check them out here:
Gala Dinner at the Bowling Club
Tickets are now on sale for our Gala Dinner at the bowling club on Saturday 27th September.
Food is being prepared by a Michelin standard chef, who has trained under Raymond Blanc, and worked extensively throughout Europe.
Dog lover, and talented chef Ian Tiller, has teamed up with Pennine Animal Welfare, to raise money for this charity.
Organiser Jan Lymer said: “I would like to raise money to get one of the toilets in the Bowling Club converted to accommodate wheelchair users. Ideally I would like to get the work done, in time for this year’s Christmas lunch at the club for our older generations.
“Tickets are only 25.00 each for a stunning 4 course meal, and it is just not possible to eat food prepared by a Michelin standard chef at this price.
“You can bring your own wine on the night too, so when we release the menu you can have fun matching it with the food! This is a great chance to dress to impress too!
“There are only 50 places available, so please get in touch to reserve tickets.”
Jan Lymer
01422 847979
07772 168812
Artist Update: Neil Bob Herd
We’re really excited to announce of of the headline acts for the festival this year, Neal Bob Herd.
A founder member of the Alt.Bluegrass outfit The Coal Porters, NBH is also one of their principal songwriters. As a solo performer, he’s been called a “Scots Billy Bragg” literate, witty and barbed by turns. Proclaiming it vocally, with guitar rich in twang & tremolo, and a wry, dry way between the songs, he’s an all-rounder with real emotional depth in his writing, plus a well-developed sense of fun.
Neil Bob Herd and Friend
“Herd’s “Farmers’ Hands” nearly steals the show” No Depression
“Fine Original Compositions” Properganda
New EP “Unsolicited Recordings” available now
HEPTONSTALL FESTIVAL 2014
This year’s Heptonstall Festival will take place on Saturday 20 September and will build on the tremendous success that was the 2013 festival. There will again be two stages (on Weaver Square and in the old church ruins) along with the fun-filled morning children’s parade and an evening’s classical concert. This year’s theme is The Wizard of Oz, so dig out those red shoes and remember – there’s no place like home! Continue reading
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.
Next 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
‘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
What’s in Your Attic – Pennine Horizons – Preserving the Past for Future Generations
Click on the image for a larger, printable version.
As part of our ‘Preserving the Past for Future Generations’ initiative Pennine Horizons Digital Archive will be hosting a ‘Scan-2-Save’ event.
Local residents have a wealth of old photographs which we would love to make copies of and save in our collection.
If you have anything that you would like to share then please get in touch with us or just bring the item(s) along to one of these events, where we will have the facility to make a copy right there and then, meaning that you will be able to take the originals home with you.
Saturday 23rd August drop-in between 10 am & 2 pm
Heptonstall Museum, Church Yard Bottom, Heptonstall HX7 7PL
This is a crucial part of what the PHDA is about, which is preserving our past for the benefit of future generations.
We are already indebted to so many local residents for allowing us to copy what is often, to them, a cherished possession, adding as it does to this fast growing Community Archive.
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,
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.
Phyliss 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
The Heptonstall Grand Depart Fell Race – 5 July 2014
The 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”
“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”
The 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
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.
Heptonstall Forward AGM – 2014
The Heptonstall Forward 2014 AGM was held on 14 May 2014.
Documentation available to view following the meeting can be seen by clicking on the following links;
Blackshaw Village Fete – Saturday 30 August 2014
Blackshaw Head Village Fete – 30 August 2014
Our neighbours will be providing amazing entertainment, lovely food, a Dog Show, a Fell Race, and the wonderful Produce Tent..
Start planning which cakes and veg you’re going to enter!!
You can download programmes and entry forms for this year’s fete by clicking the links below:-
Adult Produce Competition 2014
Children’s Produce Competition 2014
Charity Gala Supper at the Bowling Club
This is your chance to dress to impress and be served food from a Michelin trained Chef – Iain Tiller has trained under Raymond Blanc and worked throughout Europe in ‘three rosette kitchen’ teams, achieving a Michelin Red M and an International MARCH award along the way, as well as appearing on TV & radio shows.
Your chance to be part of the culinary event of the year!!
We are offering a Michelin standard three course meal at Heptonstall Bowling Club on Saturday 27th September, 8pm start.
This is your opportunity to come and enjoy a night of good food, good company and lots of laughs whilst helping raise funds for two great causes; adapting the Heptonstall Bowling Club toilet for wheelchair accessibility, and, helping our four legged friends at the Pennine Dog Rescue.
Here are some details about one of the chefs and how he came to be involved:
Iain Tiller – Chef (starters & mains)
Iain came to be involved in this fundraising event through his own love of dogs & village life although he’s yet to try bowling but is hoping one of the lovely Heptonstall locals will give him a lesson while he’s there!!. As part of a dog rescue Facebook site, an auction was held to help ten older dogs that were all in need of an urgent home. Within two days all dogs were re-homed but were in varying states of health so to raise money for their care an auction was held, raising a grand total of £2,838.00
After much searching through cupboards and shelves to find suitable items to add to the auction Iain’s fiancé Sinead decided there was nothing worth them auctioning off except Iain…not even married yet and she couldn’t wait to get rid of him!!! Jan Lymer bid for him (as an experienced chef with a Michelin Red M under his belt) to cook a romantic dinner for her husband as a birthday surprise. Well – Jan’s poor husband didn’t stand a chance against the opportunity to raise money for great local causes so this idea developed from a romantic meal for two to a fun, food filled evening for all of you to come and enjoy!
Iain has been a chef for more years than we’re allowed to mention and has worked his way around Europe under some world renowned chefs such as Marco Pierre White, along the way helping a number of restaurants gain rosettes and in some cases Michelin stars.
YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS GREAT FOODIE EVENT FOR THE BARGAIN PRICE OF £25 PER PERSON.
To book your place please email boattart@gmail.com or contact Jan on 01422 847979 or 07772 168812. We can’t wait to see you all there.
The menu will be promoted well in advance – so you can marry up your food with your own wine (which you will need to bring with you).
Alice’s Run – Sunday 31 August 2014
A multi-terrain 10km race in celebration of the life of Alice Redmond. Starting in Brearley Field, Mytholmroyd and finishing at Calder High School.
All proceeds donated to Epilepsy Action.
Click on image to see more details….
Print out a copy and put in you local notice board.
We hope that as many of you as possible can make it for what will be a lovely day’s run or walk around the Calder Valley.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Steve and Liv Redmond.
Gospel choir at St Thomas Church
Presenting!!!!
The 3 valleys gospel choir
Allow us to take you through a journey of soulful heartfelt songs from traditional to pop!
At St Thomas The Apostle Church, Heptonstall, Saturday 19 July at 7.30pm
Tickets £7.50 or £5 concessions. Pay on the door. For more info call Dawn: 01422 843856
http://www.3valleysgospelchoir.
The event is to raise funds for Heptonstall Festival . Other planned events include:
A Jazz brunch – a late lazy brunch to ease your way into a relaxing day – Saturday / Sunday in August – exact date tbc.
Pre-festival disco – Heptonstall Bowling Club – Saturday 6 September – from 8pm
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
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.
The 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
Another 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
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.
Heptonstall Lights and Planting Group Front of House Competition
The 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.
Flight Brigade to play at Heptonstall Festival!
UPDATE: Sadly due to recording commitments, Flight Brigade will no longer be able to appear at Heptonstall Festival this year. We hope to welcome them to the festival in the future, and look forward to hearing their new material! Continue reading
Parish Council Meeting – 7 July 2014
Details of the next Heptonstall Parish Council meeting can be seen here.
A note from David Burnop of the Heptonstall Pace Eggers
Picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallblu/
“Many thanks to all in the village and beyond for their support and enthusiasm for this years Pace Egg.
It was yet another great day blessed with good weather for all.
Thanks to the Calder Valley Search and Rescue for collecting and St Johns Ambulance for being on hand plus the Hill Millies for dancing on.
With a combination of good weather and an enthusiastic following the collection was up this year and I am please to announce we collected £1200 pound and 10p. Thus this year we were able to donate £600 to Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team, £600 to McMillan Cancer Support and 10p to Toss Pot for some thread to mend his pants.
We look forward to next year.”
David Burnop – for the Heptonstall Pace Eggers.
Heptonstall Parish Website 