Meltham Mercury Spring 2024

Meltham

The Council offices are open:Mon - Thurs: 9:00am - 4:30pm

YOUR

TOWN MAYOR

Clr Richard Noon 07706 678 730 richard.noon@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

DEPUTY MAYOR

Clr Jean Wrathall 01484 319 686 jean.wrathall@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Russell Barrowclough 07900 811 052 russell.barrowclough@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Kate Buchanan 07780 548 689 kate.buchanan@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Richard Crankshaw 07526 581 055 richard.crankshaw@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr David Haigh david.haigh@melthatowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Richard Jackson 07525 437 037 richard.jackson@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Ann Jurczyszyn 07779 936 026 ann.jurczyszyn@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Spencer King 01484 349 606 07941 403 538 spencer.king@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Lisa Naylor 07900 404 973 lisa.naylor@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr John Varley 07585 951 367 john.varley@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Clr Paul White 01484 308 995 paul.white@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

The Clerk to the Council is Mark Brook 01484 362 927 townclerk@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Meltham

The

It’s 50 years since Meltham Town Council elected its first Chairman, following the creation of Meltham Town Council after the Urban District Councils were abolished. I wanted to briefly reflect on your Town Councils contributions to our community during those years.

Here in Meltham, the Urban District Council (which preceded the Town Council as it is now) was formed in January 1895, before it was formally succeeded in 1973, with the first full civic year beginning in January 1974. The first Chair of the Council was Mr R Rowley, with the first female Chair being elected the following year, with Mrs Jollans elected as Chair in 1975. Ever since those early days, the Town Council has played a role in shaping and supporting our local community.

Town and Parish Councils are the first tier of Local Government. They offer a connection to our local history, traditions,

Mercury Returns!

More than 12 years after being recovered from an auction after being stolen, the Mercury statue at Robert Ashton Memorial Park has been reinstated back in its rightful place, overlooking the formal gardens. The statue has been stored most recently at The Carlile Institute, awaiting its reappointment. Mercury was transported to Doncaster where he was prepared for reinstallation by Dan Jones, a prolific Yorkshire sculptor who has produced sculptures and delivered multiple installations of statues in public spaces across the country. The Town Mayor, Clr Richard Noon was on-site to witness the installation, 'speaking with residents today, I am really happy that this part of Meltham's local history is back in its rightful place, it has been really interesting to hear stories today about the Mercury statue from residents as they passed. The statue adds a certainjenesaisquoitothisareaofthepark'.

Mercury'sreturncomesaswemovetowardsthe full completion of the refurbishment work to the play area; with a few tasks to complete, such as planting, wild seeding, relining of the tennis courts and installation of baby swings. We’re hopeful that after a few days without the

heritage and local priorities. It has limited functions though, but I think that over the last decade, your Town Council has stood up for our residents; in the early days of The Carlile Institute, it supported it where it could, it took action to retain the former Town Hall in public ownership and over the last few months has invested heavily in its biggest asset; the Robert Ashton Memorial Park. This year will see the beginning of delivering a Youth Engagement strategy and continuation of enhancing our street scene with floral decorations. Looking forward, the Town Council is continuing to develop a very active strategy, which we’ll share more information on later in the year.

I wanted to pass on my thanks to all former and current Councillors and Clerks who have held office and served our community. Here’s to the next 50 years, let’s all work together to be bold and positive and make Meltham an even better place to live, work and do business.

constantrainwe’veseensinceSeptember2023, thatwe’llbeabletocelebratetherefurbishment of the park. Whilst the play equipment can be played on and enjoyed, we’re trying to ensure thatthegrassedareasaregivenasmuchtimeas possibletosettlein.

The installation of the statue was also welcomedbyClrWrathall,whocommented‘the statue holds a special place in many people’s memories,I'vewantedMercurytobereinstated for years, I'm thrilled he is back!’. Whilst the statue was being reinstalled, local resident Beckytookituponherselftoplantsomeflowers in the well head in front of the statue; thanks for thatBecky!

Over 70s Party and Gift Event Meltham Youth Provision

It was a great day at the Over 70s gift event in Meltham on December 4. The event was well attended, despite the awful weather and those who came enjoyed mince pies and a cup of tea, hot chocolate or locally roasted Grumpy Mule coffee generously provided by local firm Café Direct.

Scouting in Meltham

Scouting has, in one form or another, been in Meltham for over 100 years. We provide a wide range of adventurous activities for around 50 boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14 across our three sections (Beaver, Cubs and Scouts). The Scout hut is on the outskirts of the village, where we meet on Mondays (Scouts) or Tuesdays (Beavers & Cubs); sessions last up to 90 minutes – on top of this, we have several weekend events, including camping, hiking, and even SCUBA diving. Every activity we do looks to help the young people grow and develop new (or existing) skills for the future, and the young people are awarded badges for their efforts. Last term, we awarded over 100. Over the next few months, we look forward to the weather improving and returning outside. We would also love to, within the next twelve months, be able to open a section called Squirrels, which delivers the scouting programme to four to six-yearolds. We are passionate about keeping costs as low as possible, so we rely heavily on goodwill and support from

The Town Council has been working closely with Kirklees Youth Alliance to support the development of this project, andwearehappytoannouncethatyouthactivitybeganin February. Claire Baldwin and Aly Cooper will be running After School Drop-In sessions, based at The Crossroads centre, as well as carrying out detached work around the village. Dates & Times will be advertised soon, so keep a lookoutonourwebsiteandsocialmediachannels.

Back in 2019 residents gave feedback as part of the Ask Meltham campaign, and results highlighted the need for more activities for young people and teenagers, and so we are pleasedtosupportthiswork.

If you would like any more information, or if you have suggestions in relation to youth activity please get in touch with CouncillorLisaNaylor, lisa.naylor@melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk.

the amazing people around Meltham. Your support is very important to us, and we are eternally grateful for it. A wonderful team supports me, but for the group to grow, we are always on the lookout for more amazing people willing to help out and support the young people of Meltham –there are many areas that a person can help us with – from helping as a leader (for all sections including Squirrels), teaching the kids a skill that you may have (we’ve probably got a badge for it), or even helping us by supporting our fund-raising events. For further information contact Anthony:gsl@melthamscouts.org.uk

In April 2023, two friends, Brendan and Robert founded Meltham Chess Club, which holds its club night at the Travellers Rest pub (HD9 5NH) each Monday - 6:45 for juniors and 7:45 for adults. Players of all ages and abilities are most welcome –members range from those who are taking up chess for the first time, to former school champions who have rediscovered their loveforthegamelaterinlife.Theclubputsonavarietyofevents, which have included puzzle-solving evenings, simultaneous events with guest players, online tournament nights, and a visit from Santa in the build-up to Christmas. We also run a Training run Academy, which is an online, interactive resource to help players which build on their existing knowledge of chess. Feel free to get in touch via melthamchess@gmail.com, or the club’s Facebook page,ifyouwouldliketocomeandenjoysomegames.

Brendan and the each juniors for those for the rediscovered their in on variety and resource players to touch via to enjoysome

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Health Fair

In January there was a Health Fair, supported by the Carlile Institute, Crossroads and Valleys Anchor CIC. There were several groups in attendance, supporting physical and mental health and wellbeing, including music, fitness, community support and health monitoring.There was even a smoothie machine powered by a bicycle! Thanks to everyone who attended and to all the volunteers who provided adviceandrefreshments.

The Meltham Scarecrow Festival 2024

Monday May 6, May Day Bank Holiday

As this year is an Olympic year due to be held in Paris, thethemeisSportsorFrance.

Theroutewillbemuchaslastyearbutscarecrowswill be clearly signposted. There will be more entertainment for the children, with Meltham Scouts in the Doctor’s car park, Meltham AFC based at Meltham CE School, all supporting the usual fun &

D-Day Anniversary D-Day Anniversary

gamesattheFireStation.Therewillbe3freeScarecrow Making Workshops all at the Fourth Fiend before the event: 4.30pm on Wednesdays: April 17, April 24 and May1

More information will be made available in due course but if you would like to be involved please contact Pam Murgatroyd at pammurg.mgt@gmail.com

The 6th of June 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed.Communitiesacrossthecountryarebeingurgedtosupport this event in any way that they can. Whether it's as simple as buying yourself a nice supper to celebrate National Fish & Chip Day (this has been moved to Thursday 6th June to mark the event) or if you would like to get more involved in organising a celebration, head over to www.d-day80beacons.co.ukformoreinformation.Ifyouorsomeonein your family are a Normandy veteran, the Royal British Legion wants to hear from you.They want to support any Normandy veterans who wish to mark the operation 80 years on in a way suitable to their needs. If you wish to register your interest, pleaseemailRemembranceEvents@britishlegion.org.uk.

Meltham Memories - Through the Ages

SaturdayJuly6

This year's event starts from 10.45am with a street parade, Vintage Vehicles, Bands and Community Groups and Floats will travel through the main street. The Village will travel back through the decades with

various pubs & shops displaying different historical local history & memorabilia. All local Community Groups are encouraged to get involved either by creating a display or by hosting a fundraising stall in the Carlile car park.

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

There will be entertainment throughout the day, with all of the local pubs hosting musical entertainment of their choseneraintheevening. Itwillbeafundaywithlots toseeanddo!

Mission To Mend Mission To Mend

Mission to Mend has been an exciting part of the Celebrating the Stitch strand of the 2023 WOVEN in Kirklees festival, which aims to address pressing issues for people and the planet, drawing inspiration from the rich textileheritageofthearea.

‘Make Do and Mend’was part of the Government’s 1941 campaign urging people to repair, reuse and reimagine their existing clothes during SecondWorldWar rationing; And it is just as urgent today, when the need to keep clothing out of landfill and incineration is imperative! According to wrap data, the average person buys 60% more clothing than 15 years ago, while each item is kept for only half as long. Waste is prevalent in every part of the fashion and textiles industry, as a result of overproduction, over consumption and problematic end-of-life solutions. The pressure is mounting on fashion brands and textile companies to lower their impacts on people, the planet, and animals. But we, asconsumersandglobalcitizens,alsohaveanimportantroletoplay.

Hosted across five locations in Kirklees: Golcar, Meltham, Mirfield, Holmfirth, and Heckmondwike, Mission to Mend brought together a series of hand sewing workshops for beginners in the communities, followed by a Repair Roadshow that celebrates local sewing talent, including community needlecraft groups, the textile industry and the nominatedStitchHeroes!

This programme has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with funding for Meltham provided by the AshleyFamilyFoundation.

Meltham's Repair Roadshow

Meltham's Repair Roadshow took place at Meltham Church Hall on Sunday 11 June 2023. In the weeks before the roadshow, community meetings and hand sewing workshops were held at the Crossroads Centre, The Fourth Fiend Taphouse, Meltham C of E Primary school and with local Guide and Brownie groups.These sessions offered an insight into the local area, what people were interested in and how best to develop our Mission to Mend Roadshow for Meltham. The Mission to Mend Roadshows themselves were a wonderful opportunity to bring together like-minded stitchers, textile enthusiasts, climate change activists, those interested in textile heritage and for those with no experience of stitch or textiles to try something new and meet incredible peoplewithtextiletalents.

Every Child Challenge

Through Mission to Mend, WOVEN aims to bring textile repair and mending skills toallforamoresustainablefuture.Every Child Challenge sewing kits were part of our Mission to Mend strand of the WOVEN 2023 festival with the aim of helping young people learn essential sewing skills with their families. In April 2023, WOVEN launched a social media poll to select the top five “must know” hand sewing techniques before leaving primary school. The most voted for techniques were: Threading a needle & tying a knot, running stitch, back stitch, sewing on a button and sewing on a patch. WOVEN worked with Thread

The programme could not have been possible without the help and support of community connectors, Councillors and wonderful support on the ground in each of the areas we worked in. Over the course of the programme we worked with a team of talented makers who helped develop workshops, demonstrations, talks andgenerallyshapedtheprojectwithus.

Exhibitors and stalls at the Meltham Repair Roadshow included: The African Fabric Shop, Crossroads Shop, Sustainable Sewing Bees, the Meltham Community Haberdashery, Terri McLean Alterations & Upholstery, Quilts for Care Leavers, One World Craft Group and Mill House Designs. We also enjoyed a talk by Ian Stevenson from the Huddersfield and District Family History Society about different generations of the Brook family who built a textiles empire in Meltham, employed many people andbuiltmanyofthebuildingswestillusetoday!

Republic CIC to develop an instruction leaflet and online film tutorials based on these "top 5", providing step-by-step instructions for each of the five techniques in all the Every Child Challenge kits alongside the materials and equipment needed to get started withhandsewing.

In May of 2023 we packed and distributed 1000 textile repair kits to young people living in Kirklees, with 200 going to families in Meltham. The packs contain materials and instructions to help children and adults learn hand sewingbasicstogethersothatgarments canberepaired,wornforlonger,andnot replaced.

You can find out more about Mission to Mend on the WOVEN website: www.woveninkirklees.org.uk and watch thefilm.

If you would like to learn more about textile activities, events and workshops locally, join the "Meltham Textiles" facebookgroup.

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Meltham, Helme & Wilshaw Quilt

Thisisacollaborativetextilepiecemadefrom100handmadefabricsquares representing and celebrating 100 features of the villages of Meltham, WilshawandHelme.

Each square will be handmade by the creative community of Meltham and can be made using any textile craft: knitting, crochet, patchwork, embroidery, applique or felting to represent a variety of local locations.The squares can represent shops, community organizations, churches, playgrounds, fields, anything to help us build a creative "map" of where we live.

Each participant must work onto a‘base’square piece of fabric. Each piece will be 9”x 9”, with each creation made within the square leaving a 1”border for seam allowance, so each finished designwillbe8”x8”.

SquareswillbeavailableforcollectionfromtheCrossroadsCentre.Squareswillbeallocatedon a first come, first served basis. Please contact us to register your interest and tell us which featureofMeltham,WilshaworHelmeyouwouldliketocreate,orwecanallocateoneforyou.

Email: Julia@upcycle-fashion.co.uk to agree your allocation so we can keep track and ensure noduplicatesaresubmitted.

Collect your blank fabric square (onto which your creation is to be stitched onto) along with a submissionform fromtheCrossroadsCentreinMelthamweekdaysbetween10am–1pmfrom Friday 1 March. When complete, return your square to the Crossroads Centre along with a completedsubmissionformbeforeFriday31May2024.

All 100 pieces will be stitched together by volunteers throughout June and displayed in MelthamaspartofMelthamMemoriesweekend.

The project will be launched and promoted on the MelthamTextiles facebook group on Friday 1 March 2024 and shared with the below networks.We encourage all 100 makers to share "work in progress" photographs of their squares on the Meltham Textiles facebook page to helpusdocumenttheproject.

The project is being coordinated by Clr Ann Jurczyszyn, Liz Simmonds & Penny Barker (Quilts for Care Leavers), Ruth Pickles (Sustainable Sewing Bees) and Julia Roebuck (Upcycle Fashion).

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Sing Your Soul Sunny

Meltham Community Choir sang their hearts out at an uplifting concert in Holmfirth earlier in the year. Sing Your Soul Sunny written by members of Sharing Memories - an arts and wellbeing group for older people based in Holmfirth - was arranged by composer Barry Russell and performed by Soul Choir, children from Shepley First School, South Crosland C E Junior School, Meltham Community Choir, students from True Talent Theatre school and Far Cry/Amazing Acapella.

Directed by Clr Kate Buchanan, Meltham Community Choir opened the concert with four contrasting songs: California Dreaming, If You Love Me, What the World Needs Now and finished with Barry Manilow’s One Voice which was enthusiastically received. Musical director Kate Buchanan said‘The Choir really rose to the occasion andsangmagnificently’.

After this, each group performed songs and the afternoon finished with a celebratory coming together of intergenerational singers to perform ‘Sing Your Soul Sunny’which was filmed a short clip of which was shown on BBC Look North. A truly inspirational day in which you couldn’t help but be lifted by the energy and commitment of all the performersandperformances.

Meltham Greenway

Meltham Greenway is a very different place to what it was in May 1949, when the last passenger train left Meltham station, then David Brown Tractors took over the line to put their tractors through rigorous tests before production. It’snowatree-linedhavenwhichprovidesanescapefromthehustleandbustleofeverydaylife,openingin2008.

Meltham Greenway was the brainchild of Melvyn Gibson, who sadly died suddenly in 2018 doing what he loved best - cycling. Meltham Greenway was the first of its kind in Kirklees – a track for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, once an overgrown mess until seven volunteers and five councillors – three Kirklees and two Meltham Town Council – got together and enabled its opening, supported by Sustrans. It was Melvyn however, who did the most work to get it up and running and would be often seen along the Greenway with his broom sweeping away leaves or with other tools repairing and pruning. He was joined by Tony Armitage later, who is no longer able to volunteer along the Greenway. Between them they kept the Greenway rubbish andleaffreeandwearesincerelygratefultobothofthem,alongwithotherswhohavelookedaftertheGreenway.

Introducing a new generation of volunteers: Every 4th Saturday of the month, at midday, local volunteers have been meeting at the test circle to clear the leaves from the path, using the newly bought leaf blower and snow shovels, whilst another group has been clearing the stubborn weeds on the testing circle that was once used to test the tractors’durability and suspension. Local people have been coming along at other times to tidy and clear leaves away - everyone is welcome to come in their own timeaswellasonSaturdays.

Meltham Greenway is part of our industrial heritage, with the main structure and bridges from the railway era.The David Brown heritage is seen in the various circles, the largest one known as the test circle. Details of these two heritages may be seen on the information boards. The aim is to completely renovate the testing circle back to its original state when David Brown used it, and in the future, we hope to have the tractors down the Greenway demonstrating how they used the Greenway.

So the future of the Greenway is bright, thanks to the new generation of localvolunteerswhoareatthereadytopreservethisvaluableresource. Thanks to you all.

Jean Walters

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

MELTHAM BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS

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BEER + FOOD + LIVE MUSIC, PLUS Gin, Wine & Prosecco

Meltham Beer Festival 2024 is sponsored by SCM Rooftech and other local sponsors

AT MELTHAM C OF E SCHOOL, HOLMFIRTH ROAD, MELTHAM HD9 4DA

THE 2024 MELTHAM BEER FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE A RANGE OF REAL ALE, KEG BEERS AND CIDER PLUS GIN, WINE AND PROSECCO.

Our Brewery List is TBA (at least a few weeks before the festival). A beer list will be available about a week before the event.

Food & Drink:

Nomadic Pizza: Fresh & Delicious Punch Truck: Loaded Fries

BEAR: The Coffee Roasters

4 Sessions are available:

Friday, 29 March 2024, 4:30pm - 9pm

Saturday, 30 March 2024, 12pm - 4:30pm

Saturday, 30 March 2024, 4:30pm - 9pm

Sunday, 31 March: 12:30pm - 5pm

Ticket Prices:

LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY:

Friday 29 March: Bierkeller Bangers, Pat Fulgoni and The Blue Bottles

Saturday 30 March (Session 1): Highway 62 Natural Rhythm SKA |

Saturday 30 March (Session 2): The Furious Few Lillian Strange |

Sunday 31 March: Mason Whittle, Holme Valley African Drummers, Abbey Thomas Rob Modus |

£7.00 per session £4.00* Friday Session | Saturday Sessions | Sunday Session

The Ticket Price includes a Pint Glass and A Beer Guide.

Online tickets are on sale now but paper tickets will also be available from selected outlets in Meltham. Some Tickets will also be available at the gate.

For more details and tickets visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk/meltham/meltham-beer-festival-2024/e-jddljq

Under 18's accompanied by a responsible adult are welcome until 8pm but they must not approach the bars. Under 18's do not need their own ticket. Only assistance dogs will be allowed in the school and its grounds.

*The Sunday tickets are cheaper to reflect the fact that a reduced range of real ale will be available by the Sunday session. The Sunday will still be a great session - with some real ale still available PLUS a range of Keg Beers, Craft Lager, Gin, Prosecco, Wine and Cider AND Food and Music!

Easter WeekendEaster Weekend

Saturday EasterTrail: Grab a coffee and start at any time from 10am to 3pm at the Morrisons end on the Greenway and follow the trail of the Easter story all the way to St James’Churchyard and if you complete it, you will be rewarded! Light refreshments will be availableinthechurchforawellearned restafterwards.

SunriseService:6:30am,CockCrowingStone,WessendenHeadRoad,timetobeconfirmed,butbetherebeforetheSunrise. HE IS RISEN! Join together for this very special time. It really is worth getting up for! The time is approximate so be there before the sunrises. A short reflection focussed on the discovery of the empty tomb for about 20 minutes. Wrap Up Warm! Then afterwards comeandwarmupwithbaconbutties&cerealintheChurchHall,acrossfromStBartholomew'sChurch. EasterSunday-All4churcheswillbeopenandreadytocelebrateHisvictory! (9:30aminStBartholomew'sandStJames',andat11:15aminStMary'sandChrist ChurchHelme). Allwelcometoallevents.

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Holy Week Services and Events

Monday 25 to Friday 29 March 8-8.30 am

Daily Devotional, St James’Church

Thursday 28 March 7.30pm

Maundy Thursday Communion Service St James’Church

Friday 29 March

11.30 am, Good Friday Service of Witness, St Bartholomew’s Church

12pm, Churches Together Soup Lunch, Meltham Methodist Church 3pm, Hour at the Cross, St Bartholomew’s Church

Saturday 30 March, 10am-3pm

Easter Trail: Meltham Greenway

Sunday 31 March

Sunrise Service: Cock Crowing Stone, Wessenden Head Road

Easter Sunday Services

9.30 am, St Bartholomew’s and St James’s Churches

10.30am, Easter Morning Communion Service, Meltham Methodist Church

11.15am, St Mary’s Church Wilshaw and Christ Church Helme

Friday 29 - Sunday 31 March

Meltham Beer Festival at Melham C of E School

Monday May 6

Scarecrow Festival at many venues around the village

Thursday June 6

D-Day

Saturday July 6

Meltham Memories, parade starting at 10.45am outside Greenacres Care Home on Huddersfield Road, then other events around the village throughout the day

July 8 -14

Meltham Fringe: Holmfirth Art Week at the Carlile, Crossroads & Wilshaw Village Hall

www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk