Local Youth Provision Reviewed

Hebden Royd Town Council held the first meeting of a new working party last Thursday December 3rd attended by representatives from Calderdale Young Peoples Service and Lifeline Calderdale.

As part of its work, Lifeline Calderdale fronts two key initiatives for young people – Branching Out, a confidential alcohol and drug service for ages 10 – 21 years and Step2, a project for young people between the ages of 11 and 18 in the upper valley which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and street drinking in the local area. The Young People’s Service runs youth projects on the park, in the town centre, at Calder High School, Salem Mill, Dodnaze Community Centre and Mytholmroyd Community Centre. These include projects, activities, and an information and advice service.

There is a perception within the media and amongst the public that there is not a great deal for youngsters to do in the evenings across Hebden Royd and one purpose of the meeting was to focus on how to determine exactly what facilities and activities are available. The meeting discussed the many aspects of known youth provision in Hebden Royd and in addition tried to find out what, if anything, was available in terms of information/support for parents as well.

Although there does seem to be an improvement in the range of activities for young people it was felt that a central information source would be beneficial to everyone involved with youngsters in the area. Deputy Mayor Robin Dixon said “The young people in Hebden Royd show their energy and talents in so many ways and we want to celebrate this, whilst at the same time broadening and improving the overall picture.”

The multi agency meeting agreed to carry out a comprehensive audit of both Local Authority and voluntary provision. When complete this information will be held by both Hebden Royd Town Council and Calderdale MBC Young Peoples Service and be available for access by all.

Councillor Lesley Jones said “Should any voluntary organisation that provides activities for young people feel that they would benefit from improved visibility and wish to make sure they are included in this audit please contact me direct via Hebden Royd Town Council.” (lesley.jones@hebdenroyd.org.uk)

It is intended that future meetings will involve young people themselves from as many organisations as possible and an event is planned for the Spring, with the format driven by the youngsters themselves. Lorraine Daber from the Young People’s Service stressed the importance of involving young people in the design and development of facilities and resources in the area.

A key issue for the meeting was that the work of the new group will be for all young people and the hope is that more of them will become involved in the many activities and organisations on offer, whatever their interests and aspirations.

The next meeting has been planned for Thursday 4th February. This will be an open meeting to which members of the public and young people are invited to attend and the venue and time will be publicised nearer the time.

Free parking for shoppers in Hebden Bridge

I was chatting to Kate Topping of Colour Yorkshire the other day while taking her pic for my 500 faces project when she mentioned her idea about making a Hebden Bridge effectively a free parking zone for shoppers.

In brief, what she proposes is that when people come to the town to shop, the shops should offer those people 40p (taken from a handy counter-top jar in her case) to pay for an hour of their parking charge.

Obviously, there are certain scenarios that wouldn't fit in this plan. Shops that sell relatively low cost items like newspapers, milk, bits of ribbon etc would be unlikely to see any benefit and would be understandably not want to participate. However, considering the number of "Great Little Independent Shops" that sell gifts, kitchen gear, jewellery, computers, musical instruments, wine etc that, compared to clone-high-street retail outlets, make quite reasonable sales, I'm sure there are enough places to create a network of participating shops.

Maybe a caveat like offering parking refunds when the total purchase is over £10 could be added?

In these days of stiff competition from retail parks and mega-corporations, the little details are what make all the difference and keep people coming here from out of town.

Maybe it needs a tweak, but to me anyway, the idea seems a good one.

I have posted these thoughts on the Hebweb forum too, so you may wish to debate the idea there...

Homeworkers Christmas Party!

Working from home? No office party? You're certainly not on your own in Hebden Bridge!

Why not come to the Homeworkers’ christmas Party on Friday 11th December from 8.00pm upstairs at The White Lion Hotel, Hebden Bridge, for a bit of fun and celebration, networking and more...

For more info, contact Mike Barrett on either mike@frogsdesign.co.uk or 01422 845874

Calder Valley Candidates Debate - Jan 30th

I am delighted to be able to announce that all four candidates for the Calder Valley seat that Chris McCafferty will be vacating at the next election have agreed to take part in a debate in January.

This will take place at 1.45pm on Saturday 30th of January at Riverside School, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EE.

Participating are Craig Whittaker for the Conservatives, Hilary Myers for the Lib Dems, Steph Booth representing Labour and Kate Sweeny of the Green Party.

I will be in the Chair.

One of the four will be representing the people of Calder Valley for years in the House of Commons, so this is our chance to find out what they intend to do if we choose them.

More information will be posted here as I have it.

Conratulations to the Mayor and Mayoress on their Mayorette

John and Jo with Ferdie at the switching on of the Christmas Lights last Thursday

My heartfelt congratulation go to John and Jo Beacroft-Mitchell on the birth of their baby daughter, Matilda Grace (fab name), born last night at 9.32pm and weighing in at 6lb 15oz.

Both mother and baby are doing great, although I cannot confirm at this point whether rumours of Matilda being placed on the Lib Dem shortlist for the next election are correct.

Looks like flooding on the way in the Calder Valley

I was out today, taking a few more of my 500 faces, when I took a look at the River Calder down at Brearley, near our house.

As you can see from the two shots below, the river is already bursting its banks at this point and looks ready to flood more widely.


The shots below show how the situation is not much better in Hebden Water, by the wavy steps, where the ducks' traditional hang-out point on the island is fast disappearing.


Get your sand bags out!

Kerry McQuade's fabulous jam!

Kerry McQuade's ridiculously tasty Black and Red Currant jam.

Delicious!



Thanks Kerry!