What's On
2023
Events in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding area
Hebden Makes Christmas 2-3 December over 100 local artists will stage "Hebden Makes Christmas" - an art, craft and open-art-studios spectacle and festive gift shopping experience.
Blackshawhead Village Christmas Fayre
The Blackshawhead Village Christmas Fayre, Blackshawhead Chapel, begins at 1pm on Saturday 2nd December.
With craft stalls, home produce, a tombola, bric-a-brac, pre-loved toys and books, games, prizes and a raffle, there are many things to do. Pat's Pantry is serving drinks, sandwiches and lovely homemade cakes while Santa's Glittering Grotto opens at 1-30pm.
Everyone is welcome at this friendly and accessible venue. Money raised from this event will support the Chapel Building Fund.
Retrofit Workshop: Airtightness and DIY Measures
Identify and tackle draughts, explore DIY materials and techniques. Learn how to strike the right balance between ventilation and airtightness to improve energy efficiency.
10am-12.30pm, Town Hall
Book your place by email or call 01422 842181
The Iron People Family Creativity Days
The Old Post Office, Todmorden (OL14 7AA)
Embrace the magic of Ted Hughes' literary worlds as Halifax's Northern Broadsides Theatre Company invites families in Calderdale to participate in creativity days across the valley.
The Iron People Family Creativity Days promise to ignite the imaginations of youngsters across Calderdale, bringing to life the enchanting tales of The Iron Man and The Iron Woman in unique and engaging ways, including storytelling sessions, performance workshops, drop-in craft activities and art workshops with The Iron Man illustrator, Chris Mould.*
The days will also allow young people to explore the environmental themes in the books and create their own stories about the natural world.
Each creativity day will run from 10am to 3:30pm. There is no need to book, and families can drop in and out of activities throughout the day. The event is aimed at ages 3 – 11 and their families.
Find out more here
Nanholme Mill's Christmas Weekend
Welcome to Nanholme Mill's Christmas Weekend on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of December. Open from 10 am until 5pm each day, this event combines art, Christmas and cake. Please visit us to meet artists and businesses, buy antiques and curiosities and have a relaxing break in our Christmas-ready cafe-shop.
This friendly complex hosts a wide variety of local businesses, artists, skills and services. You can view and purchase sculpted stone artwork, crystal jewellery, ceramics, books and photography. Whilst here it is possible to visit the gym, book your pet into the dog grooming parlour or buy high-quality crafted items such as designer lamps and lino prints.
Opportunities to purchase Christmas decorations, cards, craft items and supplies, as well as antiques and vintage curiosities, exist. Call in to the dog-friendly cafe, interesting Stuff, for lunch, coffee, cake and icecream. Here, three local artists - Linda Thomas, Janet Gledhill and Sue Cordingley - will be present to display and discuss their work.
Whether searching for antique furniture, a gift for someone special or jam, there is something for you. All are welcome at this fully accessible, friendly venue.
Nanholme Mill, Shawwood Road, Todmorden, OL14 6DA.
Poetry at the Dusty Miller
A new series of poetry readings in the Calder Valley launches with readings by four outstanding poets: Steve Ely, Gaia Holmes, Andrew McMillan and Charlotte Wetton.
7.30pm, Tuesday 5 December
The Coiners Room at the Dusty Miller, Burnley Rd, Mytholmroyd.
Free. All welcome. Hat passed round for poets
Books to buy
Car park at rear - Bus stop outside. Station 5 minutes walk
Join us for an evening of poetry and convivial company.
Stop Calderdale Wind Farm
Public Meeting at Wadsworth Community Centre on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 7.30pm Wadsworth Community Centre, Billy Lane, Old Town HX7 8RY
Come along and learn more about the environmental and ecological issues raised by the proposed Calderdale Wind Farm, a commercial scheme to build the largest on-shore wind farm in England on the Walshaw Moor Estate directly above Hardcastle Crags, Crimsworth Dean and Widdop Reservoir. This massive industrial development would consist of 65 huge 200 metre turbines - twice the height of York Minster and taller than the Blackpool Tower - dotted across Walshaw Dean, Widdop Moor and Wadsworth Moor.
The development will damage the blanket peat bogs on this sensitive moorland which act as a vital 'carbon sink' on a par with tropical rainforest. It will seriously affect wildlife on this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and wipe out the moorland habitats of curlews, lapwings and other ground-nesting birds. As well as spoiling the beautiful countryside of the Upper Calder Valley, this enormous wind farm will dominate the landscape far and wide throughout Calderdale, Bronte Country and beyond.
The event will consist of a series of presentations on various aspects of the development, followed by the chance to air your views. All welcome but numbers limited to 150.
Organised by Stop Calderdale Wind Farm - An alliance of individuals and organisations opposed to the proposed Wind Farm on Walshaw Moor.
I Feel Like a Bombed Cathedral plus Lines of Silence
The Trades Club, Friday 8 December.
£10 members / £11 non-members.
Amaury Cambuzat - guitarist in Krautrock legends Faust and post-rockers Ulan Bator - brings his immersive and moving solo project IFLABC to the Trades. Support from local experimental krautrockers Lines of Silence.
More info
Dark Matter Promotions presents....
Duke Garwood and his band
on the Rogues Gospel tour
With Ellis Best (the Hazy Janes)
Golden Lion, Todmorden
Tickets £12 via Skiddle/ on the door
8pm
844s Band, beer and dancing! And food!
Local rhythm and blues band, playing at Wadsworth Community Centre (Old Town).
Saturday 9th December. 7.30pm.
£5 on the door.
Food and cask ales available.
CultureDale Networking event
Calling local creatives and community groups! Sign up to one of our CultureDale activation events to find out how you can get involved in Calderdale's year of culture 2024
What to expect:
- Meet the CultureDale Year of Culture team
- Networking and time to discuss your ideas
- A preview of the Year of Culture Programme
- Information about funding, eligibility criteria and how to apply
Hebden Bridge Town Hall
10 am – 12
Please visit our website to book: Culturedale
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
A history of Town Twinning in Hebden Royd
Speaker: Jane Jackson
In the aftermath of the 2nd World War a powerful impulse in France and Germany that never again would they go to war initiated the twinning process between individual towns and cities in the two countries. This impulse was also felt in the UK. In 1965 St Pol-sur-Ternoise and Warstein became twins, and this was followed by the twinning of Hebden Royd with St Pol in 1979, and with Warstein in 1995. The basis of the twinning process is that families and individuals in one town host visitors from their twin in their homes. This can be a challenge, but also leads to long-term friendships.
Jane Jackson's first degree was a BA in History from Leeds University awarded in 1968. Although she subsequently worked for more than 45 years in management in the manufacturing industry, she has always retained her interest in history. She moved to Hebden Bridge in 2009 and joined both the HBLHS and the Hebden Bridge Twinning Society, of which she us now Secretary/ Communications Manager.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
The Story of Tin Pan Alley With Christmas Feel
Todmorden U3A Event – 14th December Roger Browne and the Story of Tin Pan Alley With Christmas Feel.
Actor, singer, speaker, and musician Roger Browne will be informing and entertaining the Todmorden U3A at their Christmas meeting on the 14th of December about the Story of Tin Pan Alley with a Christmas Feel. He will look at the influence of jazz, blues, opera, and musical theatre through the two world wars and the golden age of radio on the great composers of the early 20th century.
In this talk, Roger traces the history and music of this genre, and, as with all his talks, he illustrates it with live examples on the piano, and the hilarious stories about the people, places, and events that fuelled the development of this unique milestone in Western popular music.
The meeting starts at 14.00 and is open to paid-up members of the Todmorden u3a, but if you would like to attend you can enquire by going to www.u3atod.org.uk or by contacting membership@u3atod.org.uk.
Open Mic
White Lion pub, Heptonstall
The return of … The Open Mic
From 8.30pm.
Any performer guaranteed a slot!
Friendly soundman (Mark) on hand to help you set up and sort out the twiddly bits on PA system.
Come on down and have a go, or just show up and drink in the atmos. And drink beer.
MUSIC AT WALSHAW CHRISTMAS 2023
2-5pm. Tickets are £38 each and include a full buffet meal with wine. Telephone: 01422 842275 or buy online here (no booking fee). Walshaw Lodge, Hardcastle Crags, HX7 7AX.
Carol singing at Hebden Bridge Station 2023
4-6pm
The Friends of Hebden Bridge Station invite you to come and sing, play or collect for the charity, or just listen or make a donation
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
Hebden Bridge Little Theatre: an illustrated history 1924 – 2024
Speaker: Vaughan Leslie
The story of Hebden Bridge Little Theatre, from its origins in the Literary and Scientific Society, in 1924, to the present day. During its hundred years the theatre has performed plays almost without interruption – a total of nearly 400 full-length plays, to over half a million people. The talk will highlight the people and events that have helped to make the theatre an enduring and endearing feature of Hebden Bridge life.
Vaughan Leslie has been a member of the Little Theatre since 1987 as a frequent actor, director, and in numerous other capacities. Over the last seven years he has put together a comprehensive digital archive on the website, which includes a timeline of all full-length productions during the last century, with links to images for all but four of them.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
Jowett: the Yorkshire car
Speaker: Barbara Atack
Jowett cars were made in Bradford between 1910 and 1954 - the only Yorkshire car that was really successful. Benjamin and William Jowett formed the Jowett Motor Manufacturing Company in 1901 to undertake general engineering work and produced their first car by 1906. It was after WW2 that production flourished with over 40,000 Bradfords and 24,000 Javelins. Today many still survive and are lovingly looked after by their owners. The Jowett Car Club has just reached its centenary and is the World's oldest One Make Car Club.
Barbara Atack has long associations with HBLHS especially as its hard-working President. She is also the membership secretary of the Jowett Car Club. Barbara, together with her late husband, owned several Jowett cars over the years and travelled with them throughout the British Isles and as far afield as France and Spain.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Retrofit Workshop: Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
If you care about the health of your home, this training is a must. You'll learn about ventilation, indoor air quality, retrofit basics, and receive practical tips to ensure that your project will be a success.
10am-12.30pm, Town Hall
Book your place by email or call 01422 842181
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Bring out your repairs!
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd will be up and running on Sunday 28th Jan 2024 from 1pm to 4pm
Mytholmroyd Community Centre,
Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd HX7 5AF
Hot drinks and refreshments.
We can look to repair, clothes, bags, furniture, toys, bikes electrical appliances (not microwaves) knife/tool sharpening
Come and see what its all about.
Contact us:
Email: repairmytholm@gmail.com
Facebook: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Instagram: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
Community led education in industrial West Yorkshire, 1820-1900
Speaker: Hebe Gilbert
Working-class adult learning was a significant feature of political agitation, industrial religion, and civic associations between 1820 and 1900. The importance of learning was such that all working-class political movements had stated educational aims, and most religious dominations used adult education to retain the loyalty of their congregations. The talk will explore the efforts of men and women in Huddersfield, Halifax, Leeds and the smaller towns and villages of the West Riding to educate themselves and attempt to explain the impact that this had on them and their communities.
Hebe Gilbert grew up in Birmingham before moving to Yorkshire to study history at Leeds University in 2011. She stayed in Leeds for her teacher training and continue to live and work here, currently as a history teacher at Roundhay School. The teaching of Malcolm Chase and Simon Green at the University of Leeds led her to fall in love with the history of industrial Yorkshire and in particular the story of working-class political and educational associations. Whilst working as a teacher, she studied for a research Masters in history, through the University of Leeds which she completed in 2019.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
Mary Atack: local nurse - national story
Speaker: Kelly Swaby
Mary Atack was a Hebden Bridge local who served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse during the Second World War. Remarkably, many of her documents were preserved, giving a unique insight into her service and the role played by ordinary people in a wider national event. The donation of these documents enabled local school children to get hands-on with handling original documents and stepping into the role of historian.
Kelly Swaby is currently undertaking a PhD in nursing history at the University of Huddersfield, having spent many years studying various elements of nursing during the twentieth century. During the final months of 2022 she undertook a fellowship with Pennine Heritage to produce a history project aimed at Key Stage Two school pupils. The Mary Atack documents were an incredibly fortunate donation to the project.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
The farm that moved: Hollin Hey in Cragg
Speaker: David Cant
At the end of the 19th century a farmstead was rebuilt a field's length downhill from the old site of Hollin Hey. The background of those involved and the survival of old plans and drawings present a vivid picture of changing farming life in the area.
David Cant needs little introduction as a speaker on landscape and vernacular buildings, having contributed many talks to Hebden Bridge and other local history societies. After more than 35 years living in the area, he is still fascinated by the landscape, buildings and history, and still sharing his enthusiasm and his knowledge.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Hebden Bridge Local History Society
Yorkshire moderates during a revolution
Speaker: Mike Crawford
Two local men, George Savile and John Tillotson, survived the hysteria and vindictive years of England in the 1680s. As the drama unfolded, they struggled to maintain their views, their positions and loyalty to their friends, not always successfully and not without raising doubts about their own motives. Ultimately, they played central roles in securing a new foundation after the revolution, but they paid a price for their moderation.
Mike Crawford was born in Halifax, and grew up in Midgley and Luddenden. He lived in Hebden Bridge for 30 years, teaching history at local schools before moving across the border to Lancashire. Formerly a member of the committee of HBLHS, he has worked on the transcription of 17th century probate documents from local townships, and with Stella Richardson, edited the Society's books of probate records.
Methodist Church, Market Street. Hebden Bridge. 7.30pm, free to members; £4 for visitors
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Bring out your repairs!
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd will be up and running on Sunday 31 March from 1pm to 4pm
Mytholmroyd Community Centre,
Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd HX7 5AF
Hot drinks and refreshments.
We can look to repair, clothes, bags, furniture, toys, bikes electrical appliances (not microwaves) knife/tool sharpening
Come and see what its all about.
Contact us:
Email: repairmytholm@gmail.com
Facebook: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Instagram: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Bring out your repairs!
Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd will be up and running on Sunday 19 May from 1pm to 4pm
Mytholmroyd Community Centre,
Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd HX7 5AF
Hot drinks and refreshments.
We can look to repair, clothes, bags, furniture, toys, bikes electrical appliances (not microwaves) knife/tool sharpening
Come and see what its all about.
Contact us:
Email: repairmytholm@gmail.com
Facebook: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd
Instagram: Repair Cafe Mytholmroyd