Last update: 11 January, 2021 16:31

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News, Discussion, Info, Features, Events and much more

Horse McDonald Live Show and Q&A for Happy Valley Pride. The show takes place on Facebook Live and Zoom at 7pm on Sunday 24 January. The performance will be followed by a live Q&A.  Read more (11 Jan)

Could you be a local COVID-19 Champion? A volunteering scheme to support local communities during the Coronavirus pandemic has been rolled out across Calderdale to support those impacted by Coronavirus, with training is delivered by three retired medical professionals. Read more (9 Jan)

Crags Beech Trees - Slow the Flow has defended the felling of a percentage of beech trees in Hardcastle Crags. See Forum discussion for their reasons. (9 Jan)

The Interview

Bryony Mylroi SmithGeorge Murphy interviews Bryony Mylroie-Smith, an educated, super fit, much travelled, born and bred Hebden Bridge woman, who set up a successful business, had a child and then had to deal with COVID! A story for our times to continue the series of The HebWeb Interview into 2021. Read all 8 Interviews. (7 Jan)

Cars before people, cars before homes Anthony Rae argues that current Calderdale proposals will increase traffic, traffic speed and pollution in Hebden Bridge. They come before Calderdale Planning Committee on Tues, 5 Jan. See the latest discusssion. (updated 3 Jan)

Stoodley Pike

Snow covers Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley. Thanks to Jenny Slaughter for this photo of Stoodley Pike, taken from the opposite side of the valley, above Hebden Bridge. (29 Dec)

Small Ads Message received 31 Dec. "Lots of response, as usual from hebweb, and found a great tenant...many thanks, keep up the good work!!"

Boxing Day 2015 - Five years ago the rain didn't stop and our town was devastated by floods. See reports from back then on the HebWeb Boxing Day Flood feature

Carols

Christmas Eve Carols in the Square 2004 - click photo to enlarge

Carols

Christmas Eve Carols in the Square 2009 - click photo to enlarge

Choosing furniture for an English country garden There are two very distinct types of English country garden, the more formal type that is usually found in the grounds of a stately home and the informal English cottage garden. Read more (18 Dec)

Hebden Bridge to remain in Tier 3 along with the rest of Calderdale and West Yorkshire. (17 Dec)

Ice Post Box comes to Hebden Royd Hebden Royd Town Council were unable to host the annual Christmas Lights Switch On this year, but wanted to find a way to do something special for the children in the community. A conversation with Sand in Your Eye led to the idea of funding a magic post box made of ice from the North Pole. Read more

Fox and Goose Covid-19 Crowdfund Appeal - our local, co-operatively run, community pub is seeking funds to build heated structures in the extended beer garden to ensure they can accommodate enough customers when they reopen. Read more (14 Dec)

Hebden Bridge company is the fastest growing in Yorkshire! Where would you expect to find the fastest growing company in Yorkshire? Leeds, Sheffield, maybe York?  You may be surprised to hear that it's Blue Fin Trading, nestled high on the tops above Hebden Bridge! Read more (8 Dec)

Libraries open again in Hebden Bridge and Tod from Monday 7 December. Monday to Saturday 10 - 4. Open to browse, choose books, use the computers, return & collect pre-reserved items.

CROWS starting work again on Monday 7th December. After looking at Tier 3 rules and government guidance, and having done a thorough COVID risk assessment, CROWS has agreed they can restart next week. Read more

Crags Christmas trees

Christmas Trees at Hardcastle Crags The sustainably sourced, British-grown Christmas trees will be available to buy from the National Trust Midgehole Road car park on weekends from 5th December. More info (1 Dec)

Parade

Handmade Parade: We are Here - a collaborative film made by over 1400 participants, from the UK and further afield. A story of hope and healing for 2020, brought to life by handmade artwork from all over the world. See video - updated 2 Dec

The origins of the Circus: Stephen Ward, the speaker, was only four when he discovered his lifelong passion for the circus and all things associated with it. Focussing on one of the early giants, he talked about the life and times of Philip Astley, also known as "Billy Buttons". Read report (26 Nov)


Calderdale issue COVID-19 warning Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council's Leader and Deborah Harkins, Director of Public Health at Calderdale have asked for the public's help. "Calderdale is ranked 19th in England for COVID-19, with an infection rate of 488 cases per 100,000. This is the highest the rate has ever been in Calderdale. " Read more (19 Nov)

Hebden Bridge e-bike firm featured on BBC Delivering everything from vintage clothes to cheese, the cargo electric bike company Cargodale, set up during lockdown, is seeing its trade soar. See BBC video (17 Nov)

Autumn

Lockdown Street Art, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, Sunday, 15 November 2020. Click image to enlarge.

HebWeb Small Ads - received today: Please take this ad down as we have been indundated, and now have the perfect person.

Funding bid to support Hebden Bridge and Erringden Hillside flood schemes On Monday 9 November, Calderdale Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve plans to pursue a bid for an additional £4.5million of funding from the European Structural and Investment Fund. Read more (6 Nov)

Hebden Bridge Film Festival Announces Short Film Programme for free and online. The 9 selected short films will be available to stream for an exclusive 24-hour window from midday on Thursday 19 November. Read more (5 Nov)

Cyclists clear trash from trails Volunteers, from Ride Calderdale, Cargodale and Trash Free Trails used electric cargo bikes to collect litter at hotspots around the Calder Valley and transported it to be safely recycled. Read more (3 Nov)

New Councillors Wanted Are you community spirited, do you care about what takes place on your doorstep and would like to contribute to your community's future? Then becoming a Wadsworth Parish Councillor might be for you. Read more

Free School Meals: Our MP for the Calder Valley, Craig Whittaker voted against funding free school meals over the school holidays until Easter 2021. More info

Happy Valley Pride announce new digital events Following the success of their digital mini-festival in July, Happy Valley Pride has announced new series of online events, to be broadcast on Facebook and/or Zoom. More info


Keighley Road to re-open The final stage of work to improve the A6033 from Hebden Bridge to Oxenhope is now underway, with a completion date currently scheduled for the end of October. Read more (20 Oct)

Anne FoxSlow The Flow Appoints ‘Artist in Residence’ Environmental charity Slow The Flow have appointed artist Anne Fox as ‘Artist in Residence’ as part of a project to promote and interpret the environmental benefits of Natural Flood Management. Read more (16 Oct)


Camera Club Annual Exhibition 2020 - the winning images

Autumn

The results are in and the 1000+ votes have been counted! Lorna Tennant won the 'Local' category with 'Autumn Morning, Hardcastle Crags'. Click photo to enlarge. See more winning photos here. (14 Oct)

Hebden Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme: October Update and an online map allows selection of a location to access the description and approximate duration of the work taking place. Read more (13 Oct)

Picture House
to Re-open
- Film fans will once again be able to experience a trip to the cinema as Hebden Bridge Picture House reopens on Friday 30 October, after being closed for 7 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. More info (1 Oct)

Mayor Launches Hebden Royd Heroes Award The Mayor of Hebden Royd, Cllr Val Stevens is seeking nominations from residents to nominate those who have made outstanding contributions within the Hebden Royd community during the Covid-19 pandemic. More info (28 Sept)

Two houses at the top of the cuckoo steps, Heptonstall Road. Comments have been extended to 6 October. See Planning Watch

Roe deer

Roe deer near Heptonstall. Click to enlarge.
Photo with thanks to Andrew Smith

Extra local restrictions to continue throughout Calderdale, including Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Tod, the Government announced Friday 25 Sept. More info.

Covid-19 in Hebden Bridge
The number of cases in Hebden Bridge has risen to 4. More info (27 Sept)

Hebden Bridge Street Art - at the former Hole in the Wall as you approach the old bridge.

Calder Valley Restrictions
re-introduced:
Local COVID-19 restrictions will be re-introduced in the Calder Valley from Tuesday 22 September, just 20 days after they were lifted, meaning that the local restrictions will apply throughout Calderdale, including Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Tod. More info and details. (18 Sept)

Delays as Mytholmroyd Flood Scheme completes final phase On Monday 21 September, work will begin on Burnley Road in Mytholmroyd to carry out repairs to the surface water drainage system. The work is expected to take 1-2 weeks. More info (19 Sept)

Staups

Hidden in the valleys around Hebden Bridge

Recent Hebweb Small Ads include: a log cabin, multifuel stove, artists’ studio, HB calendar, workshops to rent, shop to rent, carers and cleaners wanted, bar work, therapy room, video recorder, gardening and houses/ rooms wanted/ offered. (13 Sept)

Keighley Road closure - update Progress has been delayed by a combination of poor weather and the discovery of a collapsed culvert. More information about closure dates (27 Aug)

Extinction Rebellion Calderdale Photo documentary. The past week has seen disruptive action by Extinction Rebellion in London and elsewhere. Over the past year, the activity of the local group - Extinction Rebellion Calderdale - has been recorded in a series of photographs. See the online book here. (Thanks to Gerard Liston) (7 Sept)

Handmade Parade's film project needs your artwork - This year, instead of making art in their Hebden Bridge workshop and telling a story on the streets, Handmade Parade organisers are asking you to make art in your homes, for a story told on screen: We Are Here - More info


Winter Steam

Camera Club Exhibition online The August Bank Holiday weekend saw the start of the popular Hebden Bridge Camera Club Annual Exhibition which this year, owing to Covid 19, will took place on their website. Above: last year's winner - 'Winter Steam' by Graham Speak. Read more

Nuclear free Blackshaw Head

Blackshaw Parish Council supports nuclear weapons ban - Peace activists celebrated this week when Blackshaw Parish Council became the latest local authority to formally pledge support for a global ban on nuclear weapons. Read more (26 Aug)

Artist "John the Barber" who cut hair (and painted) for many years at his premises in Innovation, Hebden Bridge has sadly died, having stopped work through illness earlier this year. See this video portrait from 6 years ago. Photo: Bruce Cutts. Add your memories to the Lives Remembered page. (10 Aug)

Hebden Bridge in Bloom! "This year Hebden Royd Town Council provided a hanging basket for free to local businesses, to brighten up the streets and shop fronts around Hebden Royd," Emma Green, Neighbourhood Manager told the HebWeb. More info

Family of former councillor and journalist Philip Round win £300,000 in case against Hebden Bridge asbestos factory. See Yorkshire Post article. (In 2017, Philip Round wrote to us: ""HebWeb is by far the best community website I've ever seen online; I check in almost every day even though I live on Vancouver Island in Canada".) See also: HebWeb feature on Acre Mill



Trades Club launches a crowdfunder Like many small music venues the Trades Club, our celebrated venue for live music in Hebden Bridge, is facing an uncertain future so they have launched a crowdfunder. Read about the Trades Club Crowdfunder (7 Aug)

Hebden Bridge's Joan Pearce (100) recovers from Coronavirus - see YouTube video of Joan being clapped as she left hospital.

Funding for flood-hit communities The Calder Valley was the worst hit area in England during the recent floods. For details of grants, council tax relief and the flood resilience scheme, see this news page.

Flood relief The Government has now confirmed Calderdale Council will receive funding to help support residents and businesses affected by Storm Ciara. Read more

THE 9 FEBRUARY FLOOD Photos and links to info and support, news and media reports and HebWeb reports of five previous major floods since the millennium. This page will be updated with further info as it comes in.

Daily Mirror report "Labour MP for Halifax, Holly Lynch, said there was a 'sense of absolute devastation' as the Environment Agency comes under fire for taking so long to complete flood defences." (11 Feb)

Morning Star report: Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker voted against extra funding for flood defences following 2015’s Boxing Day deluge

BBC report - Storm Ciara aftermath: Calder Valley assesses flood damage. Barry Greenwood said, "Something had to be done to stop repeat flooding."

Latest Flood News During Storm Ciara, more than 100mm of rain fell between 11pm on Saturday 8 and 11am on Sunday 9 Feb - the second highest flood event recorded in the Calder Valley, second only to the Boxing Day flooding of 2015 - more than a month's rainfall over 48 hours (129.8mm). Read latest news.

Floods

Flooded six times since 2000 - there have now been six major floods, and many more smaller ones in the past 20 years. Links to HebWeb reports of previous floods.

GretaGreta Thunberg: Giant work of art appears in the Mytholm area of Hebden Bridge. Artists from Sand in Your Eye worked with children from Hebden Royd School to produce a piece of art 60 metres long, in time for International Women's Day. See photos and video. (8 Mar)

Frank Woolrych died peacefully at home with his family on 14 Feb 2020. For many years, the President of our Local History Society, the preserving of the Alice Longstaff collection and the creation of the Pennine Horizons Digital Archive were among his many achievements. For details of the celebration of his life, see Lives Remembered: Frank Woolrych

Guardian Report "Mytholmroyd community members say slow progress left properties unprotected. . . . Sourena Jowkar was totting up the damage at his Persian cafe, Leila’s Kitchen, which opened four months ago. He was full of praise for local people who were helping him with the clear-up." (11 Feb)

George MurphyMURPHY’S LORE: Lockdown Diary 22 - There's good read recommendations, TV reviews, First footing, sad couplings, walking on ice, Nora remembered, Lockdown 3, homeschooling, a saint on a pillar, storming the Capitol, Ginnungagap, hide and seek and a solo duet. See Murphy's Lore 22 (11 Jan)

Covid numbers - 13 cases in Hebden Bridge (141 per 100k), 19 in Mytholmroyd (222 per 100k) and 49 in Tod (305 per 100k) for the week to 5 Jan. There were 86 new cases in Calderdale (308 per 100k) as a whole for the past 24 hours. For the 7 days to 5 Jan the rate per 100k for England was 651. More info. (10 Jan)

"Pecket Well Clough destruction" - "The beech trees are beautiful and it would be very sad to see them go. It also seems perverse in a time when we need to have more trees to reduce CO2 that they would take down those magnificent trees" - See discussion forum (5 Jan)

Frank McManus has died aged 93 - former councillor, and Labour Party activist and letter writer. More on this Lives Remembered page. (3 Jan)

Tier 3 As more areas around the country are made Tier 4, Hebden Bridge, the Calder Valley and West Yorkshire remain in Tier 3. (30 Dec)

Picture House receives Culture Recovery Fund awards, allowing Hebden Bridge's cinema to cover its operating costs over the course of the current financial year and to secure the cinema's future well into 2021, its centenary year. More info

'Fool's Gold' Entertains U3A with a Festive Pot Pourri of Non-Stop Entertainment with their well-known carols and popular songs for a good hour. Read report

Robert Blomfield: March 1938 - Dec 2020. A familiar sight around Hebden Bridge was that of former doctor and photographer Robert Blomfield being wheeled around by his carer, Ralph Nimmann who has written a tribute, and provided photos, for this Lives Remembered page. (24 Dec)

Magical scenes light up Town Hall - with colourful animations featuring magical scenes including snowy rooftops, a sparkling Christmas tree and a glimpse of the main man himself - Santa and his reindeer. Come and see after sunset until 19 Dec. More info

Linden Mill plans - home of the ArtsMill and more could be turned into 18 flats. See Forum and Planning Watch. (16 Dec)

Happy Valley Pride Hosts A Big Christmas Party Happy Valley Pride presents a big Christmas Party broadcast live from The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on Saturday 19 December at 8pm. The free event is open to all. More info


Common Problems: the history of common land in northern England A capacity Zoom audience joined Angus Winchester, for a talk to the Local History Society which explored the history of common land in the north of England, but which also carried contemporary resonances of ways to share resources and maintain good neighbourliness. Read report. (14 Dec)

BBC Look North: Flooding in the Calder Valley: Rainfall could double if greenhouse gas emissions keep rising at the present rate, with much more flash flooding. See this report from Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.

Hebden Royd Heroes award winners The awards shine a spotlight on the everyday heroes, individuals and groups, who have gone above and beyond to deliver the highest level of support and assistance within their community during 2020. Read more

Laura Annie Willson – suffragette, builder, engineer: Anne Kirker told the story, to the online meeting of Hebden Bridge Local History Society, of a woman who is seen as extraordinary. Laura Annie Buckley was born to a poor working class family in Halifax and went on to become a trades unionist, member of the Independent Labour Party and more. Read report (3 Dec)


Tree

Christmas Tree in the Square

Murphy's LoreMURPHY'S LORE
- THE BOOK
The perfect present!
Murphy's Lore, the book, from the popular HebWeb column, is finally published. Read the weekly record of a dramatic year in the life of the UK. 52 episodes, viewed from Hebden Bridge. More info, and how to buy the book (27 Nov)

Hebden Bridge goes into Tier 3 from 2 December, along with the rest of Calderdale and West Yorkshire. Source (11.30am 26 Nov)

Hebden Bridge Picture House remains temporarily closed Following the government's announcement today, in which Calderdale was placed in Tier 3, Hebden Bridge Picture House will remain temporarily closed until further notice. More info (26 Nov)

Mind Your Head – LGTQ+ Mental Health Event Happy Valley Pride presents a special LGBTQ+ focussed online mental health panel as part of their winter season of events. More info

Former Mayor Robin Dixon dies Cllr Scott-Archer has written: "Robin was a very active Labour town councillor for Hebden Royd for many years and was also the Mayor. I know town councillors who served alongside him regarded him in the highest terms, he had a wicked sense of humour and was passionate about the valley." See Lives Remembered (Updated 21 Nov)

'Hebden Bridge leads the way in a bid to beat lockdown shopping slump' according to this ITV news report. Around 70 traders have signed up to 'totallylocally'- a unique scheme which allows shoppers to buy online from local shops all on the same website. See the ITV video (19 Nov)

History Society Report: The Fieldens and their legacy in Todmorden Anne Mealia, local historian and genealogist, told her audience at the well-attended Zoom meeting of the Hebden Bridge Local History Society. There's hardly any aspect of life in 19th century Todmorden that the Fieldens didn't influence is some way. Read report (19 Nov)


Four thousand trees at Hardcastle Crags: Work begins again to plant thousands of trees at Hardcastle Crags, to benefit wildlife and reduce flood risk. Read more (10 Nov)

Town Council backs Marcus Rashford campaign to end child food poverty. Hebden Royd Town Council unanimously passed a motion at the Full Council meeting formally supporting the campaign led by Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals. Read more. (6 Nov)

Online Portrait Club for Lockdown Since March, Hebden Bridge Portrait Club has taken place on-line every Friday morning from 10.30 to 12.30. More info (5 Nov)

Disability Access Forum to focus on Mental Health Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum has its next ordinary meeting on Monday 16th November, 3pm by Zoom video link. The meeting will be focusing on Mental Health issues. More info (4 Nov)

Free School Meals protest at Craig Whittaker's office Young people from the Calder Valley dressed as school dinner ladies to target the office of Calder Valley's MP, Craig Whittaker on 1st November in protest at his vote to deny vulnerable children meals during school holidays. More info (3 Nov)

Flood alert was in place for Upper River Calder catchment for the first couple of days of November.

Together We GrowCommunity organisation to feed schoolchildren With the help of Together We Grow, food parcels are being delivered by St Augustine’s Centre to 30 families. Read more (25 Oct)


Age FriendlyTown Council conduct Age Friendly Survey Hebden Royd agreed earlier this year to work towards becoming an Age Friendly Council. Read more about the survey (27 Oct)

Director of Public Health Calderdale, Debs Harkins tweeted Sunday, 25 October at 6.07pm: "Calderdale C19 case rate per 100,000 for tests carried out 7 days prior to 20/10 was 378 rise from 354 on 19/10. This is very serious"

Town Council's Climate Emergency Plan The council's hope is to become carbon neutral by 2030 and to promote awareness of climate emergency and will support residents in lowering their own carbon emissions and making green choices. Read more.

Recycle RadioRecycle Radio Speakeasy Broadcasting to you live from Hebden Bridge, each Saturday. See What's on


The Low Moor Munitions Explosion of 1916 The History Society's series of Webinar lectures continued with a dramatic and engaging exploration of the devastating explosion of the Munitions Factory at Low Moor Bradford in 1916 – an accident waiting to happen. Read report (20 Oct)

What's On - exhibtion, theatre streaming at the Picture House, talks and more.

TIER TWO - Hebden Bridge, like the rest of Calderdale, is from Wednesday, 14 October in the second Tier of the Government's three tier system of Covid restrictions, announced 12 October. More info. (13 Oct)

Recycle RadioRecycle Radio Speakeasy What could be better than actual live local radio? Broadcasting to you live from Hebden Bridge, each Saturday. See What's on

Canal

The canal, Hebden Bridge. Click to enlarge.
Photo with thanks to Andrew Smith

The role of women locally at the end of the 17th century. David Cant transported the Local History Society Zoom audience of more than 80 people back over 300 years, exploring documentary evidence, including wills and inventories, for the role of women at this time. Read report. (29 Sept)

ParadeHandmade Parade is looking for new board members! The Handmade Parade is looking for people with the skills, commitment and energy to provide strategic guidance and leadership as they embark on our new strategic plan. More info (26 Sept)

Last chance for flood resilience funding Residents and businesses affected by the flooding in February 2020 now have until the end of October to express an interest in flood resilience funding. More info (24 Sept)

Dr Zania Stamataki

Living with COVID 19 and how we can fight back The local U3A asked Dr Zania Stamataki, a Senior Lecturer in Virology, to give them a better understanding of what Covid-19 is doing in our bodies and an insight into how our bodies fight back. Read report of U3A talk (24 Sept)

Discussion Forum: Face masks: Do you touch your mask? Why some people cannot wear a face covering. Do others exploit this? How wearing masks will help keep the virus at bay. Read more. And how do you like Crown Street?

Small Ad house sale response: "offer received within a week of listing on HebWeb. Brilliant, thank you!"

Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge. The Environment Agency is working with Calderdale Council to design and build a Flood Alleviation Scheme for Hebden Bridge. More info

Local History Talks programme now available. Talks will be by Zoom for the time being and include Women of Property, the Fieldens, a local suffragette, common land in northern England, building Hebden Bridge, the 1918 General Election, Sylvia Plath and more. See What's On (4 Sept)

Hebden Bridge Library to re-open from Weds, 16 September, with restrictions to allow for social distancing.

Trident protestTrident Protest On Saturday, 29 Aug, Calder Valley CND joined in Extinction Rebellion’s autumn rebellion with a demo in Calder Holmes Park, protesting the huge amounts of money to be spent on Trident. More info (30 Aug)


Disability Access Forum updates Map and Guide - the group has issued the third edition of its Town Centre Step-free Access Map and Guide. More info (29 Aug)

No new cases in the Upper Calder Valley were reported for the fourth week in a row, according to figures released Thursday, 27 August - no new cases in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd or Todmorden between 16 and 22 Aug. More info

Local restrictions continue in Calderdale. It was announced Friday, 21 August that the pandemic restrictions introduced at the end of last month are to continue. North of England: local restrictions.

Community grant applications welcomed - The Town Council welcomes applications from community groups to apply for a grant from the Community Funding Budget to support projects which benefit local residents. More info (20 Aug)

A Contemporary Home in the English Countryside - Stunning views, quiet road and peaceful surroundings. For many, living in the English countryside is the dream. This article explore the possibilities of creating a contemporary home in areas of the countryside. Read more (21 Aug)

Natural Flood Management Report Read all about what The Source Partners have been up to in the last 12 months. Flood alleviation, tree planting, biodiversity issues and more. (19 Aug)

HebWeb Small Ads positive feedback: 1. "Brilliant as ever. Thank you. Ads fulfilled". 2. "We've been inundated with enquiries from potential tenants."

Virus Restrictions remain in place - Calderdale's director of public health, Debs Harkins, said infection rates in Calderdale were increasing faster than in any other borough in Yorkshire. More info (14 Aug)

The Guardian reports that Calderdale "has the sixth highest infection rate in England". The total number of cases in Calderdale is now 991, including 207 new cases in July. More info

Calderdale hit by new Covid-19 restrictions. Separate households are not be able to meet indoors from 31 July.

Lives Remembered - George Guest remembered by Matt Hilton.

Slow The Flow harnesses the power of nature to reduce flood risk. Here's their response to the Government's policy statement on flood and erosion risk management, arguing that more of the £5.2 billion should go to natural flood management. Read more

Where to stay

WHERE TO STAY in Hebden Bridge. See the extensive HebWeb listings of accommodation, self catering and bed and breakfast options for when you visit our wonderful area.

New car park at Stubbing Holme, 44 new parking places at Hebden Bridge Station, 200 places at Mytholmroyd Station and the abolition of the proposed one-way system in Hebden Bridge are the latest changes announced by Calderdale Council.

Raw sewage discharged into rivers Storm overflow spilled into the Hebden Water 27 times in 2019 (65 hours) and 60 times into Cragg Brook (417 hours). There were significant spills into the Calder at Cornholme, Todmorden and Brearley. See this interactive map.

Ask the QuestionCommunity tutoring fund goes from strength to strength. The 'Ask The Question' fund, set up in 2017, allows parents to 'donate a lesson' to enable a local disadvantaged child to have a free tutoring session. More info

Hebden Bridge Flood alleviation work delayed: Work is now expected to start in summer 2021, but it is not expected to be completed before summer 2024, taking three instead of the planned two years. Read BBC news report

Trades ClubThe Trades Club, Hebden Bridge's living, vibrant, socialist club and music venue remains closed. Mal Campbell, the club's events manager, has written an article on the club and how people are missing communal live experiences. Read article


Keighley Road Closures and Improvements The works are scheduled for weekdays from Monday 6 July until to Friday 20 November. For the first six weeks, the road will be closed between Hebden Bridge and Oxenhope with local access only between Hebden Bridge and Pecket Well. Read more

Wild garlic

Wild garlic in May: many of our wooded valleys are revealing seas of wild garlic. Click photo to enlarge.

HebWeb Small Ads: "We've had lots of responses and have found some great tenants."

Hebden Bridge Picture House to re-open in Autumn - Whilst our cinema remains closed due to the continuing risks of Coronavirus, they are re-assuring customers that they will be re-opening our doors in early to mid Autumn. Read Picture House statement

Craig WhittakerCraig blames BAME In an LBC interview, MP Craig Whittaker claims that the vast majority of people breaking the lockdown rules are from the "iimmigrant and Asian population". Listen here

Help the Trades Club finish the work: Much of the work following the 2015 Boxing Day Flood has been completed by volunteers. Now funds are needed for professional builders to complete the next stage, and make the club fully accessible. Read about the plans and how to help.

CROWSCROWS started work again on 13 July. They've completed a risk assessment, developed a safe way of working and will be putting up signs to alert path users when they are working. Read more


Val StevensNew Mayor is Cllr Val Stevens: On Weds 10th June, the Town Council elected Cllr Valerie Stevens as the new Mayor of Hebden Royd Town Council for the coming year. See candidate profiles for 2019 Town Council elections

Bluebells

Bluebells: Our valley woods swathed in bluebells. Click photo to enlarge.

Rochdale Canal

Thanks to Andrew Smith for this photo
of Hebden Bridge
Click photo to enlarge.

New Caldene Bridge opened Monday The opening of the new bridge, at 10am, Mon 18 May, is a major milestone for the Mytholmroyd Flood Alleviation Scheme. The old bridge was a serious constriction to flood flows and contributed towards the Boxing Day 2015 floods. Read more.

Channel 4 News - report from locked-down Hebden Bridge, on Weds, 8 April 2020.

Before the bug: In the absence of very much news during the lockdown, the HebWeb is taking the opportunity to celebrate our area by digging into our archives. Most days, our home page will be updated with HebWeb articles from the same date from the past 25 years. See articles posted since 1 April

Sand in your Eyes

Sand in your Eyes thank the NHS - with their latest creation, all 100 metres of it. Click image to enlarge. See ITV News report and Sandinyoureyes FB page.

HebWeb Small Ads. Message received about ad for 2 bed house: "I've had so many people message about this I can't keep up with replying."

Feb2020-Mike Barrett

9 February 2020 flood - photo: Mike Barrett of the centre of Hebden Bridge. Click to enlarge

Misbehaviour

Misbehaviour was to open Hebden Bridge Film Festival 2020 - the story of the 1970 Miss World competition, and how a group of women disrupted the pageant in front of a world-wide audience of nearly 100 million viewers in what has now become a famous Women’s Liberation Movement protest. Read more.

HebWeb Forum - opinion is divided on the proposed "traffic improvements."

HebWeb Small Ads - The HebWeb is brilliant. Found tutor within 3 days. The response was excellent as was the calibre of the candidates.

HebWeb coverage of the 2019 General Election is at caldervalley.org.uk along with info on general elections back to 1997.

Mytholmroyd Station PartnershipMytholmroyd Station Partnership… simply outstanding That was the verdict of the National Association of Community Rail Partnerships, in awarding Mytholmroyd Station Partnership the 2019 Community Rail Award. More info and background


Winter Steaml

Hebden Bridge Camera Club Exhibition Winners The Club’s annual exhibition was an extremely successful week as in previous years. Over 1200 visitors from near and far viewed the 66 prints on display at the Town Hall and almost 900 of those took part in the vote for the ‘People’s Choice’. Read more

Yorkshire Post on Hebden Bridge: "A Yorkshire town with an independent streak… Hebden is a striking town in an even more striking location."

Mytholmroyd

Mytholmroyd this morning, Sun 9 Feb. Posted in Hebden Bridge Flood Action Group Facebook group

Opposition grows to "traffic improvements" which include making the Keighley Road at Commercial Street one way, banning commuter parking on the A646 between Hebden Bridge Station and Mytholmroyd, and banning parking on Market Street. The HB Business Forum is campaigning against the changes. Read more

Small Ads - "We filled the vacancy thanks to the Hebweb, brilliant service"

Hebden Bridge on Woman’s Hour (from around 28 mins in) - our area is praised for being friendly to lesbians the liberal minded, creatives and progressives, for its co-operatives, hippies and Sylvia Plath’s grave. And they plan to do a Woman’s Hour from Hebden Bridge. (27 Nov)

Brearley Fields nature reserveBrearley Fields wetland nature reserve will improve biodiversity and the river environment, boost flood attenuation and bring health and wellbeing benefits to people in Mytholmroyd and Luddendenfoot. Read more

 


"Britain at its best: Hebden Bridge where Ed Sheeran was born is a true northern star,” declares Mail Online article. Apparently, our town is  'just right side of gentrified’. Read article

Paul BarkerPaul Barker's obituary in The Guardian. Paul Barker was a paper boy at Jones' Newsagents, went on to edit New Society from 1968-86 and wrote the book about Hebden Bridge: A Sense of Belonging. See also: HebWeb report of his book launch in April 2012.

Parade 2019

Above: Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade - 30 June 2019. 40+ more photos here

More tree cover still needed in Hebden Bridge, say Friends of the Earth. The organisation claims trees can act as effective flood defences, helping to reduce peak water levels by as much as a quarter. See ITV report.

BBC1 Countryfile at Hardcastle Crags "We're in West Yorkshire and this is one of its true hidden gems." And featuring the work of Slow the Flow Calderdale. (17 June)

Banking in Hebden Bridge: 'The only banks left in Hebden Bridge are grass ones down by the river'. See this weekend's article on the bankless town of Hebden Bridge in This is Money

The National Geographic’s Cool List for 2019 has West Yorkshire at number 7. The Calder Valley is highlighted - "with hippyish Hebden Bridge as its epicentre" - as a "burgeoning hub for restaurants and independent shops." )

Gentleman Jack

Gentleman Jack

The first episodes of Gentleman Jack, the new drama from Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright, are based upon a book written about Anne Lister by local writer, Jill Liddington and published by Hebden Bridge publishers, Pennine Pens. More info, links and trailers

CNDTown Council votes to support a ban on nuclear weapons: Hebden Royd became only the third UK Council to support the ICAN Cities Appeal and the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Read more.

Small Ads: "Hebweb scores again! I have sold my electric lawnmower today"

HebWeb Small Ads We've been overwhelmed with the response and quality of applicants! Thanks so much!

Small Ads - 3 two bed houses to rent, all announced the same day, on the HebWeb Smalls Ads page

Small Ads message - "Once again, great success by placing my house to rent on HebWeb!"

Huffington Post on Hebden Bridge: "You will find a town that was almost abandoned, but brought back to life by hippies, artists and lesbians looking for a place to make a life." Written by Sean Pert, who continues: "The town doesn't just tolerate its LGBT+ community, it values and embraces us." Read more

Climate Emergency declared!

Climate Emergency declared

Hebden Royd Town Council has declared that Hebden Royd should be carbon neutral as soon as possible. Both our Town Council and Calderdale Council have agreed to face up to 'the issue of our time’ - the climate emergency. Read more

Shepherds

No banks. No petrol. Lloyds Bank was the last bank left in Hebden Bridge. It closed this month. Shepherds was the last petrol garage still open in Hebden Bridge. It stopped selling petrol this month.

Hebden Bridge artist Kate Lycett featured in Yorkshire Post feature

Hebden Bridge: How a thriving town lost its last bank: This Guardian article reports that, "Residents feel angry and let down as Lloyds departs, but one man (David Fletcher) has a plan to fill the gap." Only a few years ago, Hebden Bridge had five full time banks. The last one, Lloyds, closed last week. Read article (26 Jan)


Handmade Parade

Hebden Bridge is Cool - Hebden Bridge has made National Geographic's Cool list. "The Calder Valley - with hippyish Hebden Bridge as its epicentre - is a burgeoning hub for restaurants and independent shops." See article. (4 Dec)

Save Hebden Bridge Signal Box

Saignal Box

After more than 125 years as a familiar sight in the town, Network Rail have pulled the levers for the last time. Two community groups have put forward proposals for the building to be saved and restored to its former Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway glory. More info and leaflet

Fox and Goose one of top 50 pubs according to The Guardian

Hebden Bridge features in The Spectator "The Yorkshire town that’s gone from dirty old buildings to New Age nirvana" by William Cook.

Swimming pool latest. It's still going ahead but, because of the 2015 Flood, not yet. And not in Hebden Bridge. Read the latest statement from the Swimming Pool Association, and follow the links for how the HebWeb has covered this controversial issue over many years. More

Small Ads: "Please can you remove small ad. I had a response within an hour of the ad going live and the first viewer took the house. I had 8 requests to view in 24 hours. Brilliant!"

Small Ads message - "Just to say that my cottage has now been let. Thanks once again to HebWeb!"

One hour from hb9

Less than an hour from Hebden Bridge: try these halls, houses and galleries which many may not have heard about. Yet they are just on our doorstep. If you can't find anything to do locally (see What's On), have a look at this new HebWeb Feature.

Hebden Bridge, the UK's second city, BBC article by Evan Davis. "Hebden Bridge is an inverted city with a greenbelt centre and suburbs called Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool." Read the article

Small Ads: "House successfully rented through Hebweb. Fantastic posting wall!"

Selling my house on HebWeb was "extremely successful - I hope to complete on the sale in 2 weeks time, and I think I could have sold it a few times over."

Smll Ads: "I had so many wonderful responses to my ad for someone to help me re-organize my house post-flood, I wanted to employ everyone! Thank you." - Susan

Small Ads - I just wanted to let you know that through my small ad on your site I found my ideal new home, meeting all my requirements. Thank you very much for such a great resource

Small Ads: "Ad posted Monday, lease to be signed Saturday and tenant moving in Sunday. Thanks HebWeb."

"Unbelievable result Hebweb. So many enquiries in response to the small ad on your site and now have lovely new tenants. What a success - Thank you Hebweb."

HebWeb also available on the slightly shorter hebdenbridge.uk as well as hebdenbridge.co.uk

Small Ads - "We placed a job ad on the Hebweb recently, intending to keep it there for 2 weeks, but we had to take it down after 3 days due to the huge response generated"

Britain's favourite market town? Hebden Bridge has been shortlisted in the 'Britain's favourite market town' category in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2013. Read more

Guardian Northerner: Hebden Bridge the UK's coolest place? The Yorkshire Paradise has won its fourth accolade in a decade. Born, brought up and living here, Rachel Pickering is loyal, but has one or two cautionary thoughts.

Small Ads - "I am very pleased to say the response was terrific and both properties are now let." (Less than a week)

Small ads: "We've successfully rented our house. Thanks for an excellent service - I'll heartily recommend Hebweb, as our house was previously listed through an estate agent who didn't manage to get us a tenant in 3 months - through Hebweb we had 4 prospective tenants within a week."

TwitterHebWeb on Twitter - join our 3750+ followers.

Small Ads: We had a prospective buyer view it, she loves the house and has put in offer we've accepted. So, thank-you!

"In a world where style often triumphs over substance, Hebweb is reassuringly informative, reliable and clear. An invaluable community resource and public information forum reflecting the independent spirit of Hebden Bridge. Lesley at Elmet Farmhouse.

Floods: HebWeb Gallery - 24 photos taken on the morning of Boxing Day, 2015.

Small Ads: "Amazing but my house in Tod got rented out within 30 minutes after putting the house on Hebweb."

HebWeb Feature on the 2015 Boxing Day Flood, gathering together many of the articles, news, links, photos and videos. Updated reguarly.

Small Ads success - "Hi there I have found lovely tenants for my house in less than 24 hours. Amazing!" Re house to let in Mytholmroyd.

Small Ads - "Choosing to advertise the house for rent on the Hebweb was incredibly effective. The perfect tenants were found within 48 hours"

From Steve Farrell, now living in Mysore, India: "As someone who lives abroad, the Hebweb site has always been critical for keeping in touch 'back home' in Hebden. I've just needed to re-advertise my home for rent, so where to turn to? The Hebweb, of course. The Ad was up within minutes and there were 10 enquiries within 24 hours. Superb!" See Small Ads.

'Greatest Town in Europe' - as well as being the 4th funkiest town in the world, Culture Trip gives 12 Reasons why Hebden Bridge 'is known as the greatest town in Europe'. Read article

HebWeb

Far more than a large home page, the HebWeb is now an essential local resource. It has been around for nearly 23 years, covering local news, events, opinions, tourist info, small ads, where to stay and much, much more. Updated every day. Read more and go deeper into the HebWeb.

Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire crowned best place in the UK - 'Machine learning' used millions of data points to discover top locations. Read more

From the archive: The Times listed the 30 coolest places to live in Britain. Number one was Hebden Bridge.

Let's move to Hebden Bridge From the Guardian. If the roots of its liberal and creative image are a mystery, its appeal is obvious. See also: HebWeb report from Sept 2005

HebWeb Small Ads message: "Please could you close the advert? We've been overwhelmed with the response and quality of applicants! Thanks so much!"

Small Ads: Very good service, result achieved in only 4 days.

Hebden Bridge Station car park to expand: Calderdale Council is working with Network Rail, which owns the land to the east of the existing station car park to create 46 extra places. Read more.

Some years ago in the Guardian, Martin Wainwright wrote, "Witness current comments on the community website, the Hebweb, which is one of the best of its kind in the country. No, world." 25 Oct 2012

Hilary WainwrightHappy Valley writer loves Calderdale. "Hebden Bridge is vibrant; there's a lot going on artistically and it's also got great galleries, pubs and restaurants." Sally Wainwright talks of our "dramatic and awe-inspiring" landscape and the influence of local historian Jill Liddington's Anne Lister book. Read her Guardian article

Guardian Northerner: What the UK can learn from Hebden Bridge? The BBC's Mind the Gap asks how London's success can be replicated elsewhere: Claire Donnelly argues that our small town could have the answer. Read more

"Many thanks Hebweb, the Small Ad asking for Volunteers to cook and help at Wadsworth Lunch Club has already had success. We now have someone coming to help cook. We'd still welcome a washer up, and occasional helpers please."


More from Hebden Bridge Web

  • Accommodation - from bed and breakfast to self catering, a range of places to stay in our area
  • Archive - news and discussion going back to the mid 90s
  • Bloggers and columns - a section where you can read regular pieces by selected local bloggers.
  • Books - of interest to people living in Hebden Bridge and area
  • Contact info
  • Discussion Forum - hundreds of messages every year on matters of concern to those who live in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding hills, villages and valleys
  • Emails - a directory of local email addresses
  • Events: a selection of local events
  • Features
  • Five hundred words on Hebden Bridge - one of the 500 years of the Hebden pack horse bridge projects
  • Green Pages
  • Hebden Bridge info - some basic information about Hebden Bridge with links to some features which have been written about our town.
  • Hebden Bridge 500 - celebrating 500 years of the bridge
  • History pages - links to local history websites, together with a selection of articles remembering times past.
  • Lives Remembered - thoughts and comments on the death of a selection of local people
  • Mailing list
  • Maps - several maps of the town and area, including Google maps.


Please e-mail us to report dead links, inaccuracies, suggestions and comments. Thanks.

The Hebden Bridge Web (Hebweb) is published, produced and maintained by Pennine Pens and started in the summer of 1995.

www.hebdenbridge.co.uk