It wouldn’t be the festival without this bunch – so we’re really pleased that they’ll be dancing for us again this year.
The Hebden Bridge Hill Millies are a Women’s Morris Dancing side based in Hebden Bridge, dancing in the Cotswold tradition infused with their own special magic. Accompanied by 4 fantastic fiddlers. They can sometimes be seen in Nora Batty disguise!
Inspired by the retro-futurism of 1980’s sci-fi, the dark, dystopian worlds of Blade Runner, Max Headroom, Tron and William Gibson’s novel Neuromancer, credited by many as the origin of the cyberpunk genre.
In 2014 work began on Le Néon Noir’s debut EP, featuring HARUKO’s first appearance as a credited performer, as well as guitarist J. W. Greenwood, drummer Carl Banks and, for live programming and synthesisers, Jim Atkinson.
This year they join us for the Heptonstall Festival..
One of the true highlights of the festival last year was the appearance of TIm O’Connor who almost sole the show. This year he’s back and bringing with him the super talented American Bouzouki player and guitarist Doc Rossi.
This promises to be a set not to miss!
This year there’s more happening at the festival than ever, including a Dog Show!
Registration is from 1pm – Why not enter your pooch? There will also be some car-boot stalls, bouncy castle and of course the bowling club bar will be open to keep you refreshed..
Incidentals are a female instrumental frame drumming band based in Todmorden and inspired by the style of the late Layne Redmond following her teaching of frame drumming as a spiritual path that connects us to the Sacred Feminine.
They are Oxana, Sandi and Sarah and we welcome them to the festival!
We welcome Three Men and a Box to the festival lineup this year, who promise to get us tapping along…
3 Men & a Box are Justin, Daz and Mark. They play a mix of their own Tunes and songs you all know and love but with a twist!
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!
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
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
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.
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’…
“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:
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:
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
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 -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
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.
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 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.
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 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
