The
Honley Newsletter of the Honley Village Community Trust A voluntary organisation working for Honley village
Registered Charity 1033021 2!st Anniversary Issue No. 95 September 2014
www.honleyvillagetrust.org.uk
Honley Village Community Trust is 21 years old. We’ve ‘Come of Age’ so let's look back at some of the things we’ve done since May 1993.
Almost the first thing the Trust did was to purchase Magdale Fields in1993 to save it from ‘development' and make it available for the enjoyment of everyone in Honley. An anonymous donor loaned the money for the purchase and for the next three years the Trust held events to repay the loan, which was finally achieved in 1996. The Trust re-instated the public footpath through the Field and for several years held an annual ‘Fun Day’ on the Field-and may do so again. Picture shows volunteers haymaking prior to a Fun Day in 1994 In 1996 The Trust managed to buy the adjacent field with a huge beech tree in the middle and now known as Honley Croft. Again, this had become a sought-after building site. Stones Wood and the cemetery chapel were taken over in 1999 by the Trust on a ‘peppercorn rent’ from the then Diocese of Wakefield. These three parcels along with Magdale Dam make a very pleasant recreational area.
Honley Flyer No.1, October 1993 Contains much that might be familiar, but also confirms the Trust’s foundation and breaks the news about the Magdale Fields purchase. This was the main item: The Honley Village Community Trust finally came in to being on the 17th of May 1993, when a public meeting passed the Trust’s constitution and elected its first committee chaired by the Rev Bernard Sheppard. Essentially the Trust’s objectives are 'To advance education and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the aim or improving the quality of life for Honley residents’. The Trust now has over 200 members and the committee would like to extend a welcome to any residents who wish to join. Membership costs just £1 (and it is still £1 today– Ed) The Trust has acquired 6½ acres of land virtually in the centre of Honley. This area of meadow and woodland, which stretches from the bottom of ‘Spider Alley' (at the end of River Park) to the footbridge over the Mag Brook, was put up for sale shortly after the formation of the Trust which was then fortunate to obtain a loan at short notice to purchase it. Thus free access to this beautiful part of Honley will be guaranteed for all time. Work has started to enhance the area; the grass has had its first cut, weeds have been chopped back and the surface of the main footpath improved. The Trust is now considering a number of ideas including, seats, picnic areas, and additional paths.
Magdale dam, originally made to serve Steps Mill, had been the rented home fishing water for the Holme Valley Piscatorial AssoMagdale Dam ciation for many years. Some years ago the owner wanted to sell it to a developer who would drain the water and build houses there. The HVPA was unable to raise enough money to buy the dam, and asked if the Trust, being a registered charity, would be willing to apply for a Lottery Heritage Grant to effect the purchase. After a great deal of effort from the Trust and the Piscatortials this was achieved in 2001, and the Trust acquired the dam so that fishing, particularly for disabled people, can continue. The ‘Piscatorials’ now manage the water and the immediate surroundings under an agreement with the Trust. Picture (right) shows two volunteers repairing one of the sluices which control the water level.
Honley Village Hall
The Village Hall was taken over by the Trust in 2001. Originally built by public subscription as a Youth Club, it had fallen into disrepair after Kirklees abandoned it in 1998. A massive amount of time and energy was put in by Trust volunteers over three years to reinstate the Hall and it re-opened including a youth club in 2003. Club nights were held on three nights a week, but attendance dropped and the leaders salaries, paid by the Trust, could not be sustained. So it is now the Honley Village Hall, but still run and maintained by volunteer Trust members. HONLEY VILLAGE HALL REGULAR USERS KIRKLEES DAY CARE for adults with learning disabilities. Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm Tel. 01484 222399 SLIMMING WORLD Mondays 5.30 – 7.00pm and 7.30 – 9.00 pm. Just turn up or ring Rachel on 07949946747 RAINBOWS – for girls aged 5 - 7½ every Tuesday during term time at 5.30 – 6.30pm To register your child or for more information Contact www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested PILATES CLASS - Wednesdays sessions from 6.30 to 7.30pm If you are interested in joining please ring the organiser, qualified physiotherapist Chris Liversidge CSP on 07843673012 first. WEIGHTWATCHERS meets at the Village Hall every Thursday at 6.30pm. Just turn up or contact Katie on 07967 211 118 for more info ELIM CHURCH –Is a lively community holding two meetings at the VH on Sundays. 11am and evening at 6pm – all welcome THE VILLAGE TRUST WEB SITE Check out the Directories link. www.honleyvillagetrust.org.uk - All listed are in Honley. TO BOOK THE HALL see the website, call Hudds 662635 or email info@honleyvillagetrust.org.uk
The Hall before the Trust took it over from Kirklees The Boules pitch adjacent to the Hall was planned and installed by the Trust in 2012, with the help of local authority grants. It is a free facility open to all to play any time. See the Trust website.
New bench at Village Hall in memory of Mavis Knutton.
Mavis Knutton, who died in October 2013, was involved with Honley Rainbows and Brownies for many years, helping to form Honley Rainbows in 1990 with Maureen Burley. . On 17th June a tribute service was attended by families and friends and a bench was dedicated to her memory. The service was attended by husband Keith and daughter Helen. Judith Helliwell, a friend and Brownie leader, gave a remembrance talk. The bench was paid for with donations from Mavis's funeral and was installed by Ian Blagborough, Chairman of Honley Village Trust. Carol Makepeace, Rainbow leader. The Over 55s Leisure Group was originally formed as a sub-committee of the Trust but is now independent. It meets on Wednesday afternoons at the Community Centre from October to March with carpet bowls, curling, table tennis, pool, scrabble, rummikub, dominoes, etc and it’s only £1 including tea! The Trust has given support to many village organisations and individuals. What Honley Village Community Trust does (1) Owns and Manages Magdale Fields and Honley Croft. (2) Responsible for the Management of Stones Wood. (3) Owns Magdale Dam and has a management agreement with the Holme Valley Piscatorial Association. (4) Maintains the old mortuary chapel in the cemetery. (5– off map) Runs and maintains the Village Hall at Moorbottom.
The Honley Flyer is produced with the help of our advertisers. To advertise phone Jo Bonds 01484 660348 or email: jbonds@hotmail.co.uk PILATES Chris Liversidge and Becky Walker are pleased to welcome you to Pilates at Honley Village Hall (See above) If you have trouble with back, neck or shoulder pain, Pilates may be just the thing for you! Alternatively, if you want to keep your body in good condition, then Pilates is a great solution too! We currently run a mixed ability mat class at 18:30 every Weds, and are looking to offer a session at 19:30 as we grow. The class is run by Becky, a fully qualified Chartered Physiotherapist, and is part of Chris's North Light Physiotherapy clinic based in Armitage Bridge. Sound interesting? Give us a call, on 07843673012, and we look forward to seeing you!
TIM SHAW Painting & Decorating Domestic & Commercial Interior & Exterior Free estimates Excellent rates No job too small HONLEY BASED tel 01484 660008 Mobile 07929 948 207
Sponsor: Beverly Haigh, Honley Dog Grooming
Beverley went onto pursue her career in dog grooming by fully qualifying with two distinctions. When the Honley Flyer called on At Honley Dog grooming Beverley works in a fully equipped Beverley Haigh at Honley Dog Grooming purpose built salon providing a professional one-to-one service in she was giving Alfie, a friendly maltesea friendly, relaxed and stress free environment, where owners are shitzu, its eight week make over; clip, bath, welcome to stay throughout the groom and have a coffee. The blow dry trim- doggy beauty treatments. Salon has a secure outdoor garden area for your dogs Beverley was inspired to follow her to play before and after their pamper session. dreams by opening up her own dog If you are looking to treat your canine friend grooming business after the sudden loss of contact Honley Dog Grooming to arrange your her sister in 2007 as they both shared a appointment. Now taking bookings for Christmas. passion for animals. See back page for contact details.
Sands Spectacular - free entry!
HVCT VOLUNTEERS
Weekend of 6 & 7 September sees Sands Rec, Holmfirth, full to bursting with an array of events in relation to WW1. Running from 10 am to 5 pm each day, the event is organised by Trevor Bellamy of Holmfirth Parish Council and includes, in no particular order; military equipment & vehicle displays and demonstrations, vintage vehicles, memorabilia display, period music; stalls from RAFA, British Legion, TA Cadets, Scouts & Guides, Help for Heroes, SSAFA, Fire Service, etc. Lots more. Also 1914-18 food stall, army food (!), And on the Sunday– Military Church Parade and Service, plus Lancaster bomber flypast.
report by Neil Littlewood Work on the land in the last two months has gone well. The dreaded Himalayan Balsam at the bottom of Magdale Fields has been knocked back by our Honley volunteer team and now we are tackling it on the Canary Island. This 2-3 metre high plant may look pretty-the purple flowers are shaped like an old style policeman’s helmet-but it is an invasive species and smothers all other natural growth. It will take a few years to get rid of most of it, because it is able to propagate over some distance so needs yearly attacks. Anyone is welcome to pull some up and break it up!
Honley British Legion Re membrance Day Parade will be held on Sunday, 9th of November. This starts with a short service at St Mary's Church at 10 am followed by a parade to the War Memorial. Everybody is welcome, particularly service personnel past and present. If you would like to join the Honley Branch of the Legion please contact Secretary / Chairman Roy Davey on 663673. Number nickers If the number plates are stolen from your car you could receive parking or speeding fines or worse, as criminals use your plates on their cars. Yorkshire Crime Prevention Panel has provided a stock of anti-theft car reg screws for the village. These cost £2.75 per kit for one car (£6 from Halfords). You can get them from the Pet Shop Boys at Honley DIY & Pet Supplies Westgate. Honley 10k Trail run— better weather this year? The second Honley 10k trail run was on August 23rd. Organised by Rob Kelly, all profits from the entry fees will be donated to the charity Ruddi’s Retreat. Picture shows start of the run last year– in pouring rain!
The work preparing for the new bridge to cross the overflow at the west end of the dam is progressing and we expect now to install it at the beginning of next year. It will have a rustic wooden walkway and be unrecognisable as the old lorry chassis it once was. If you’d like to join us for a bit of exercise please give the volunteers’ coordinator Neil Littlewood a ring on 0776 674 2140, or just turn up at the old cemetery chapel at 10 am on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING A VERY LOCAL CHARITY. Thank you to everyone who has joined the Trust or paid their annual subs and / or gave a donation this year. If you also signed the gift aid declaration every £1 you put in the envelope becomes £1.25 when we claim back the tax . Many thanks to Honley Post Office, Tony Washington and staff at Taylor’s Foodstore and the staff at the Honley branch of the Yorkshire Building Society for collecting the envelopes. The Honley Flyer is published quarterly by Honley Village Community Trust and is printed at Enterprise Print, Long Lane, Honley
Vintage Vera
St Mary’s Square, behind St Mary’s church
Sewing Alterations by a local seamstress living in Honley Sample prices: Zips £6.50 Jeans zips £7.50 Curtain hems £25 Call Jo on 01484 660348
welcomes members old and new Solicitors & Notaries 24 Westgate Honley HD9 6AA Tel. 01484 667853
www.honleylaw.co.uk info@honleylaw.co.uk
Three hand-pulled beers always available with a large selection of Lagers, Ciders, Wines Spirits and Soft drinks Three rooms offering an ambiance to suit all requirements Monthly Saturday Quiz evenings. Snooker, Pool and Darts We have Bowling, Snooker and Dominoes teams which welcome new members For membership requests just call in or contact the secretary on 01484 665687 Email: honleyconservativeclub@gmail.com
HONLEY HONLEY HOEDOWN! HOEDOWN! OUR OUR OWN OWN COUNTRY COUNTRY DANCE DANCE BAND? BAND? Local accordion player Eric Woulds is looking for budding barn dance musicians to raise funds for the Village Trust. He is offering to put together a band of local musicians who would enjoy playing for occasional dances at Honley Village Hall. Any instrument qualifies, and you don’t need to be a virtuoso! Barn dance callers are also required. Email Eric at ewoulds@icloud.com . The first outing could be a ceilidh on New Years Eve!
Honley Players ADS Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 October (incl a matinee) 'Abigail's Party', directed by Veronica Martin. Tickets from Holmfirth & Hudds Tourist Information, or Kirklees website. Friday 21 to Saturday 22 November- selection of one act plays. Titles and directors to be announced. Call Andrea on 01484 662487 for more info. or see www.facebook.com/HonleyPlayers Honley Male Voice Choir Our concert on 20th September will commemorate the lives and sacrifices of those who fought in the First World War. The concert looks to be something rather special with massed voices from all of our MD Steven Roberts’ four other choirs. The programme will include Local Stories and multime dia images of the lives of people from Honley, backed by Honley Civic Society and the British Legion. Along with Tunes from the Trenches and other WW1 Songs the concert culminates with ‘Wherever You Are’ (as sung by Military Wives) and The Choral Suite from ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ (Jenkins). With more than 250 singers on stage and a uniformed presence, this promises to be a spectacular and epic event. Tickets can be obtained through Kirklees Town Halls website and are priced £5 - £14 plus group discounts.
Concerts by the Yorkshire Traction Honley Band
Sunday 21 Sept-Songs of Praise, St Mary’s Church at 4 pm Come and sing along with the Band! Refreshments afterwards. Saturday 4 Oct Last Night of the Proms at Southgate Theatre 7.30 pm (with Thurstonland Community Choir). Tickets £5 on the door. New players are always welcome in our Senior or Training Bands. For more details contact Liz Illidge tel: 304754 or liz.illidge@hotmail.co.uk See our website www.yorkshiretractionhonleyband.btck.co.uk Honley Village Trust’s Christmas Craft Fair is on Saturday 6th December. Contact Debbie Flanagan on 078 1414 1485 or email dflanagan1304@yahoo.co.uk to reserve a stall. Likewise St. Mary’s Christmas Street Market, same date. Contact Cliff Green, tel 01484 662873 or email: f.green3@ntlworld.com
Honley Dog Grooming by Beverley, 128 Roundway Honley Tel 01484 661190 / Mobile 0781 5201 1404
What’s on… www.honleyvillagetrust.org.uk The Honley Flyer is distributed to 3150 homes and businesses in Honley. If you would like your event included send details to the editor, John Murray, 27 Moorside Rd. Honley HD9 6HR. email honley.flyer@ntlworld.com Telephone 01484 662635 Honley Civic Society– Sunday 2 hour guided walks All start from Trinity Church at 2.15 pm, led by Bert Neary 14 Sept– Walk down to Woodhead Rd for bus no.310 at 1423 to Hepworth, then circular walk. 12 OctCircular walk to Meltham. 16 Nov– Circular walk to Netherthong. All with boots welcome on these walks
ONE DAY ONLY! Exhibition of photographs and memories entitled ‘Honley in the Great War’. Parish Rooms, Church Street, Saturday 13th September, 10am to 3pm. Free entrance.
Honley Ladies Choir September 13th at 7.30. Honley Ladies Choir has again been asked to perform at Holmfirth Civic Hall– for Holme Valley Hospital. The audience will be sat at tables, so bring your own picnic and drink, relax and be entertained by the choir. Tickets £8 from Tourist Information or on the door. Concert by the group Mixed Harmony- ‘Music and More’
Sunday 28th Sept at 2pm, in Trinity Church. Tickets £7 incl refreshments from Holme Valley News & Zebra (Westgate).
Macmillan Cancer Support Worlds biggest coffee mornings• Trinity Church on Friday September 26th, 9.30 –12. • Taylor Hughes Hairdressing and Gallery Cafe at the café in Westgate on Friday 3rd October from 8.30am .
Lots going on at the library– use it while it’s still there! The library at the roundabout Tel 222340 HONLEY REMEMBERS- at Honley Library Monday 22nd September, 7.15pm. Friends of Honley Library invite you to the opening of the World War 1 comme moration display. The display will be opened by Peter Marshall of Honley Civic Society and followed by readings commemorating WW1. Please bring something relevant to the theme of the evening; poetry, non-fiction, novels, biographies etc. Tickets available from Honley Library, £2 (Donation will be given to the Royal British Legion). Refreshments provided. Winter / Christmas ‘Poetry Readaround’ with musical interlude. Monday 1st December, 7.15pm. Bring your own poems, some favourites or just enjoy listening. . Tickets £1.50. Refreshments provided. Honley Library Needs You! There is a number of volunteering opportunities available through the Library and Information Service. Meet new people, learn new skills and give something back to the community. Contact Mark Redman at the library. Tel 222340. Story time for the under 5s- 2.30 pm Friday afternoons in term time. Stories and craft activity. Come on in! BITS – introduction to using a computer Getting started with IT – 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of month stating at 10 am. Please book in advance. Honley library book group– Every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10.30. Pick up the choice of the month in advance. Family history- help and advice with an expert. Plus free use of www.ancestry.co.uk to card holders every 2nd Wednesday of the month 2 – 4pm Knit and natter. Every Monday 5.30 to 7pm. Free refreshments. ‘Friends of Honley Library’ group. For information please contact Pat Thompson, tel. Huddersfield 661541