15January2012
Posted by patrick under: News.
Holmfirth Civic Main Hall
Local historian Ian Dewhirst will present a talk entitled “Life in a Victorian workhouse” in Holmfirth this week
Join members of Holme Valley Civic Society for the event this Thursday, January 19, with doors opening at 7.30pm. It’s the usual location – Holmfirth Civic Hall. Admission is £2 for non-members.
A Folk Dance is being staged in Wooldale Community Centre this Wednesday, January 18, at 8pm. A spokesperson told Holmfirthweb.com: “All welcome to a public folk dance organised by Holmfirth Folk Dance Club to promote social dancing of and preservation of traditional dances.”
15January2012
Posted by patrick under: News.
© Copyright Betty Longbottom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
A Holmfirth trader boarded up his shop windows as part of a dramatic gesture to draw attention to the town’s ongoing supermarket saga and how the plans could impact on the town centre.
Longley’s coffee shop windows have been partially blocked from the inside with large pieces of cardboard, and with customers invited to daub comments on the inside. Most of these are of the “Tesco’s keep out” variety, and there is also a signature from well known Holmfirth artist Ashley Jackson. While enjoying their coffee, customers are also invited to pick up and read a single-sided A4 handout explaining the reason behind the dramatic window-blocking gesture.
Jimmy Dickinson explained “I have boarded up the windows to show how out of town supermarkets can kill communities. Government studies show out of town developments sucking the life out of a place.
“A study commissioned by Tesco confirmed that the way to keep a town thriving is to build no further than easy walking distance from the centre. A good local example (see our previous letters) is the Tesco store in Penistone.
“Despite this knowledge, Tesco would like to build one of their superstores with an entrance a mile away up New Mill road. They claim this should not be a problem because Holmfirth is such a lively and busy place that it would feel no adverse effect.
“In their planning application, Tesco produce figures to show that the Co-op is far too busy (overtrading) and needs to reduce its sales by about a quarter. Meanwhile, convenience shops (food and grocery) in Holmfirth are trading at 50 per cent above the national average and can easily absorb a loss of customers.
Jimmy said he was not of this opinion.
“The population of the Holme Valley has grown enormously; there is a strong demand for more retail capacity, for free and accessible parking, for a petrol station and for Holmfirth to be a lively and interesting place to live.
“Before getting stampeded into a rush decision on the Tesco plan I think we all need to take our time, especially since the announcement at this week’s parish meeting that a large supermarket with a petrol station is to be proposed at the former Drake’s Corn Mill at Honley traffic lights. And lets not forget the Lidl application that has also been lodged.
“It is always easy to talk about what we don’t want; being constructive is a lot more controversial, but here are a few ideas:
- If you follow the valleys and the roads you arrive at Drake’s site.
- Midlothian was a petrol station; it could be one again.
- Site are available in Holmfirth. In fact, when you walk out of our door, you could be looking at a Tesco Express
29December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
Could Honley library, as well as other popular libraries in the Valley and surrounding area, turn into community-run libraries in the future? Creative and imaginative ways of involving communities in a number of village libraries are being sought by Kirklees Council.
The council has pledged its commitment to keeping libraries open but is looking to involve local communities in helping to run them against a background of ongoing cuts in budget.
The proposal is to develop a group of current service points as community-run village libraries which would each be supported by a ‘hub’ Library and Information Centre (LIC).
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Joint Cabinet member for Resources, told holmfirthweb.com: “We want to get people involved in running their libraries and providing what their communities want. However, to gauge interest in this project we need everyone to get involved in the consultation and community engagement events. We need to hear what they want out of the service, and how they think it should be run, and how they can help do this. Communities will get a real say in what happens in their area. Already a number of community groups have expressed an interest in becoming involved and I am very encouraged by their enthusiasm”
He added: “This provides the opportunity for communities to consider doing things differently – for example they would have the freedom to run other activities or change opening times. It is a great chance for local people to shape what happens in their community potentially using the library as a centre of activity.”
The proposal currently being investigated in partnership with elected members is to see how communities can become involved in running their local library in Denby Dale, Golcar, Honley, Lepton, Kirkheaton, Shepley and Slaithwaite. These villages will see targeted community engagement events on the proposal and there will be some pilot projects to gauge success.
Local people are to be invited to take a full part in the consultation and the service offered at each of the libraries will be tailored to meet community needs using the results of this.
As a minimum, the community-run libraries would offer self-service books and other media loans, public access computers for accessing the Internet, word processing and library-based events. Book reservation and enquiries would be provided through a free phone access to the ‘hub’ library and information centre. The hub would also provide librarian support to train community volunteers, help with stock, and provide advice and support for events.
The move is in keeping with the government’s ‘Big Society’ which sees councils involving their communities in defining and providing services. Many local authorities are already considering large-scale community-run libraries and the government-funded ‘Future Libraries’ research programme which is seeking innovative ways to provide services, has given strong support to the potential positive outcome of more community involvement in running library services.
People who want to get involved should contact their local ward councillors in the first instance.
29December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
Well known landmark, Castle Hill, is to come under the spotlight at a public meeting and a special walk in the New Year. The plans are to turn the Hill into a Local Nature Reserve.
A report to Kirklees Cabinet on the proposals was deferred to allow consultation on the nature reserve plan to be carried out with local residents and as a result there will be two events in January.
The first of these is a public meeting to be held between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday January 11 at Newsome High School.
And there will also be the opportunity for a short walk on Sunday January 22 from 1.30pm to 2.30pm to look at conservation work currently underway and future management plans for the historic site.
The site has a management plan which details the objectives for maintenance, access work and habitat management, and which has been approved by Natural England (the government’s advisor on the natural environment) but ideas and suggestions are encouraged.
Castle Hill is a prominent landmark which contains an Iron Age Hill Fort, evidence of occupation dating back 4,000 years plus a tower erected to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.
The site is popular with local people as well as visitors from further afield, and features diverse wildlife and plant species. The current proposal is to make the site a Local Nature Reserve which will complement Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s acquisition of land at nearby Stirley Farm.
Castle Hill has a full time ranger who organises a range of popular events and activities on the site which attract many local people. There are also volunteer activities run in the area.
Please note that planning applications and the Local Development Framework will be outside the scope of this consultation as they are dealt with through a different process.
15December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
Christmas and New Year opening times for the five Kirklees Household Waste Recycling Centres will be as follows:
Saturday December 24 – open 8am to 4pm as normal
Christmas Day Sunday December 25 – all sites closed
Boxing Day Monday December 26 – all sites closed
Tuesday December 27 to Saturday December 31 - open 8am to 4pm as normal
New Year’s Day Sunday January 1 – all sites closed
Monday January 2 – open 8am to 4pm as normal
The five sites are:
Emerald Street, Huddersfield, HD1 6BY
Bent Ley Road, Meltham, HD9 4AP
Bromley Farm, Upper Cumberworth, HD8 8NN
Weaving Lane (off Thornhill Road), Dewsbury, WF12 9QR
Nab Lane (off Pheasant Drive), Birstall, WF17 9LR.
15December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
All Kirklees markets including Holmfirth will be open as usual up until and including Christmas Eve to ensure local shoppers have plenty of time to purchase essentials as well as superb local food for Christmas.
Queensgate Market is open for additional shopping on Sunday December 18 and Santa will be in his grotto throughout the day. Our very own Holmfirth Farmers Market is also open from 8am until 2pm and there will be free face painting for the younger visitors from 9am.
The markets will be hosting extra entertainment on December 17 with Scrooge paying a visit to Cleckheaton Market and free face painting for the youngsters. The same day there will be live music at Huddersfield and cookery workshops at Queensgate and Santa at both Queensgate and Dewsbury.
Seasonal music will accompany shoppers on December 19 in Huddersfield, December 20 in Heckmondwike, December 22 in Birstall and December 23 in Batley – but sadly nothing arranged for Holmfirth!
6December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
The big stage
More emails have been flowing into Holmfirthweb.com about Holmfirth’s Christmas Lights following the public comments published in our original story covering the big switch-on a few weeks ago.
There were mixed views, with some expressing disappointment and saying it could be a big turn-off for visitors, while others pointed out we were lucky to have the lights in the first place!
Here are a selection:
Rachel Webster, New Mill: “…..its so easy to complain, the lights are a bit disappointing but its all Holmfirth can afford, and I thought it was a marvellous ceremony with the DJ and fireworks. There was a fantastic turn out, we bumped into so many people we knew, and it was good for the local community. Never mind the Xmas lights…lets have more live events like this one..”
Danial T: “I hold my head in shame as I drive through the town each day..the lights are poor and strung all over the place, they are not even working on the tree opposite Nora’s cafe. Rather than try to put silly bits here and there all over the town, it would be better to have a concentrate effort in the centre, the area near the bus station car park.”
David Leeming : “Good website featuring Holmfirth, pity the Christmas lights do not reflect the website enthusiasm, for the second year in succession the Bus Station Lights and Christmas Tree are not lit, this is a poor show and will impact return visitors to the Town.”
Michael Pagan: “As I have read some of the comments relating to the switching on the Christmas Lights in Holmfirth, i am a little disappointed at some of the negative comments made. I have lived in Holmfirth for the past 6 years, each year supporting local events and functions and inviting friends and family to join me, it is a much smaller community than the city i grew up in, so I find it more personal and rewarding that I can both participate and contribute, in both support and contributing financially.
“If those who were disappointed by the number of lights switched on then surely this was made up for by the wonderful fireworks display put on afterwards, alternatively, perhaps next year there is a local resident contribution made to expand the current lights and make satisfy those who felt it lacked somewhat. Under the current financial climate with so many local authorities making cut backs etc I was surprised we were still switching on the lights.
“Remember the time of year those who complain, it is the season to be jolly…..”
Sarah Thomas: “Stop complaining everyone, the lights are better than nothing. It may not be much but could you imagine not having anything at all? We would all like more, but who will pay for them?
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said “…lets be honest, we could have the biggest and best Xmas lights in Yorkshire and they would still not bring in more shoppers or visitors. By the time the lights are switched on, most the shops (apart from co-op) are long closed anyway..”
Another anonymous messenger: “Yes, they may be a little embarrasing and probably overshadowed by the DIY lights in many private gardens (my neighbour’s included!) however they show that Holmfirth does care and is making an effort to bring a bit of festive cheer to the town, and is much appreciated by residents.”
Hilary S: “..could we enter Holmfirth for a prize for the most frugal lights..?”
6December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
Valley White Out
Brrrr! You might have to wrap up for the next meeting of Valley’s Area Committee when the film ”Frozen Valley” by Colne Valley film maker Bev Addy is shown this Thursday, Dec 8.
The fabulous and engaging film includes images of the Colne Valley from the harsh winter of 2009-10. The film starts at 6.15pm and lasts around 25 minutes.
The main meeting will begin at 7pm and includes a chance to hear from local businesswoman Heather Croft, who was one of the founder members of Slaithwaite’s Meals on Wheels group. Heather will be talking about the success of the group and their appearance on The Hairy Bikers’ Meals on Wheels programme as well as how people can get involved.
Cllr Donna Bellamy, Chair of the committee, said: “I was thrilled that the Hairy Bikers showed the world what a great community we have in Slaithwaite, so it’s great that Heather is coming along to tell us how Meals on Wheels is progressing.”
The meeting will also provide the opportunity to hear about new funding to improve broadband connections in rural areas. There will be an update on crime and policing issues in the Valleys, and the chance to raise local issues and ask questions of your ward councillors.
The event will take place at The Watershed, 22 Bridge Street, Slaithwaite HD7 5JN and doors will open at 6pm ready for the film from 6.15pm to 6.40pm. The meeting will start at 7pm.
6December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
Christmas Shopping is well underway at Holmfirth Market with the market now open every Sunday until Christmas with a range of specialist shopping experiences.
The monthly Farmers Market takes place just before Christmas on Sunday December 18, ideal for stocking up on some luxury local items for Christmas.
On Sundays December 11 and 17 the market opens for Christmas shopping with a fabulous range of gift ideas from local businesses.
The weekly Craft and Food Market has expanded to fill both floors of the Market Hall every Saturday and is a real haven for unique gift ideas.
6December2011
Posted by patrick under: News.
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A magical mirror made by a mischievous sprite is broken into a thousand pieces. Each piece makes everything that is beautiful appear ugly and all that is ugly appear beautiful.
A tiny shard finds its way into Kay’s eye and he becomes bewitched by the Snow Queen. Can his best friend Gerda find the glittering ice palace, rescue Kay and break the evil spell…?
Join the mischievous sprites as they artfully recreate the story of Gerda and Kay’s friendship, transporting the audience from an icy landscape, through floral glades, palace towers, deep forests and gloomy caves to a glittering and shattering conclusion.
It’s all taking place this Christmas at the fabulous Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, and with family tickets from only £45.
Book your tickets online tonight!
