Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend

Sunday 7th August 2011 Vintage weekend

Amy, myself and the children attended Hebden Bridge's Vintage weekend on 7th August, organised by local volunteers in The Rotary Club.

Calder Holmes Park was completely full with a staggering array of vehicles from the past. We were delighted to see over 600 entries into this spectacular event of classic and vintage Cars, Motorcycles, Commercial vehicles and military vehicles. Our children also loved it and it was a fabulous family afternoon. we were delighted to see many of the entrants had travelled from all over the UK to visit this event in our area. The event itself attracted thousands of people into the Park in Hebden Bridge.

During my speech I talked about this the 29th Vintage weekend and how it had grown over the years to be one of the biggest events in the area's calendar. I also met 2 of the original founders from 1983, John and Mary Rushworth who were still exhibiting during this years show. As a qualified Engineer myself, I  said I have a shared passion for our Mechanical and Ingenuity heritage which was in our park over the entire weekend.

All the vehicles were extremely well presented and we also talked to a number of owners. The passion and stories connected with each of their collections was fascinating and I stressed in my speech that the whole event was a complete success due to the Entrants and their fantastic Vehicles.

Congratulations and thanks also for  the tremendous efforts from the organisers; Roger Benn, the President of the Rotary Club, Peter Layfield and the entire Rotary committee and produced yet another remarkable team effort in to ensure this event ran smoothly also raising significant amounts for local charities.

Roger Benn, President and myself

  

The thousands of visitors, many of whom had travelled from outside. not only benefited local charities but also the local businesses and local economy. Amy and myself talked to many visitors during the days and they all loved the event and would come and visit our area again.

Our children also had a great day; I asked the children to reflect on their day; my son Marcus (9) liked the American cars - in particular the 1957 Plymouth Savoy which was able to produced flames from it's exhaust !!. My wife liked the bubble cars but also enjoyed the vintage section. My two young girls (6 and 4) liked the restored Post office vans - these old vans were however proper 'Pat' vans, perfectly restored, even with the cat 'Jess' in the passenger seat.

The children loved the the 'bubble' car

Personally I enjoyed all  the vehicles and the passion of the owners and their individual stories was the best bit for me.

Prize giving to overall winner - 1910, Léon Bollée,

 owned by Yorkshire Car collection

1957 'Plymouth Savoy' complete with flames form the exhaust !!

Jim Sutton with 1917 Harley Davidson 'as found' in a barn in USA,

next year he will bring to the show fully restored

The family had a fantastic day out

Scott, Amy and family

Mythomroyd open Gardens

Saturday 23rd July 2011

St. Michaels Church had a fundraising open Gardens event during the weekend 23rd and 24th July.

Amy, myself and the children attended 3 of the 10 open garden during Saturday afternoon,

The gardens we saw were fantastic and the weather was perfect. We enjoyed not only great company with all the people we met on our visits during our afternoon, but also lovely refreshments.

The church also raised over £1000 during this super afternoon.

Eric one of the organisors and the family

Fantastic Gardens

Congratulations to the organisors for a successful fundraising event towards St. Michael's Church and sincere thanks from all of us for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon visiting those lovely gardens.

Scott, Amy, Marcus, Emily and Natalie

Yorkshire Day

1st August 2011

Amy, the children and I attended  'Yorkshire day' celebrations in Wakefield. Most of the Mayors and Consorts from across Yorkshire attended, with both regional and Town / Parish were well represented. Hebden Royd was represented by myself and Amy, our parent region, Calderdale, was of course represented by Mayor of Calderdale Cllr Nader Fekri.

Group Photo of 'Yorkshire Mayors'

 Calderdale Mayor  Cllr Nader Fekri, front left, Amy and I centre rear

Click photo to enlarge

It was a full day where we gathered after 09-00 in the fabulous historical surrounds in Wakefield City Hall. There was a group photo at 09-30.

The parade began at 10-30 through Wakefield, thousands lined the streets. There was a service of celebration in Wakefield Cathedral at 11-00 - 12-00 with marvoulous hymns such as O' Praise ye the Lord, the famous hymn 'Onward Christian Soldiers (written in Wakefield) and of course Jerusalem. There was also a fablulous sermon by the Dean of Wakefield about Yorkshire

Following the celebration service, buses took the dignitaries to the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield for Lunch, speeches  and tours above and below ground.

Our region Mayor from Calderdale Cllr Nader Fekri and oursleves attending the event

It was a throroughly special day celebrating ' Yorkshire' and the message was that we all have to play our part help to preserve the Yorkshire ' brand' to ensure our continued uniqueness and patriotism to our area.

Scott, Amy and family
1st August 2011