From Gail A

Monday, 23 June 2025

I've lived here in the valley for an awfully long time, raised 2 children here, now adults. Like many others I have seen it thrive, evolve, change and become what it is today. It's a well loved, well thought of market town that has retained its heritage whilst also moving with this times. It's inclusive, progressive, accepting and warm and known across the world. Quite an achievement. 

Sadly in recent times there seems to be a movement by a few, mostly by those who have moved here fairly recently to be a force for negativity and entitlement. I'm speaking in broad brush strokes here I realise. It's still a town of hope, ambition and creativity. This last weekend and the Handmade Parade only helped to highlight that

I'd just like to see the town keep what's best about it. I'd compel those determined to change it because of their own egos, blind political ambition or a determination to drag others down to turn that energy into something more "Hebden Bridge" and I mean that in the truest sense, not as a marketing ploy.

Name calling, flag waving, creating Facebook pages to peddle anger, cynicism and despair only play into the hands of those people who want to change what's best about places like our special town. 

We've bounced back from crisis after crisis, floods, Covid, austerity and more besides where other paces have flatlined. That doesn't mean there aren't issues although I do believe we all want what's best for each other and the place we call home.

In my mind, what sets us apart here is each other, the spirit of non conformity. The boundless hope and optimism. Let's not lose that, call it out when you see it, but do it with kindness. Do hold decision makers at all levels to account but do it with respect and decency. They too are our residents, friends and neighbours.

Am I alone in wanting to bring back hope into our happy valley? How do we bring the few disaffected back to the table or are they truly a lost cause. I don't want to invoke a Trumpism and realise I may be overstating the impact of negativity but it's worth a preemptive strike before it has the ability to take root.