Redacre Growing Project

Amy and I were privileged to open the Redacre growing spaces in Mytholmroyd on the 24th September 2011.

Due to the hilly aspects of Hebden Royd, gardens are not common to every house, most houses in the area in fact have no garden at all. This leaves many families who want to grow produce requiring allotment space.

in 2006 Eddy Beasley and Sarah Munsie had the great idea to try to convert some waste land in Mytholmroyd to good use as growing spaces for the community. The Redacre Growing project was born. This fulfilled a much needed requirement for community growing space.

During my opening speech I thanked Eddy and Sarah and also Sam and Tess Bolton, all of whom are part of the committee. In the past 2 years the committee has raised over £20,000 from LEADER, CMBC, Hebden Royd Town Council and Community Foundation to produce 20 fabulous growing spaces with another 20 planned for next year.

Mayoress Amy Trickett cutting the ribbon together with the children
Eddy Beasley far left, Rev Canon James Alison far right

There was also a tree planting in the community orchard by Harry Ward, Husband of past Hebden Royd Mayor Betty Ward, The tree was planted in memory of Betty who served the community of Mytholmroyd as a Councillor for many years and sadly passed away last year

Harry pictured centre next to the Mayoress

During the speeches Rev canon James Allison suggested that next year he should hold the harvest festival church celebration at the site to welcome the harvest from the local growers.

These community spaces are a fantastic attribute to our area and Hebden Royd Town council fully supports this project.

Scott Trickett



Cragg Vale Park Opening

Saturday 10th September marked the opening of the newly redeveloped Cragg Vale Park and Community Gardens. As Mayor  of Hebden Royd, as a Cragg Vale Councillor and simply as a father of children who lives in Cragg Vale, I was absolutley delighted and honoured to be allowed to help with the opening of the newly refurbished park in my home village Cragg Vale.

Cutting the Ribbon together with the children

Cragg Vale park is a well used local facility, particularily with the children from local schools  such as the Ark, Montessori school, Cragg Vale J&I School and the Steiner school that has been in long need of investment. The park refurbishment involved school children at all the schools in Cragg Vale

The Cragg Vale Community Association was established in 2007  and two of the main objectives were:

a) to provide focal point for the community of to focus community activity in Cragg Vale,

b) to provide a local funding platform whereby community funding, from various sources could be attracted.

The Cragg Vale Community Association (CVCA) carried out various local surveys to establish community investment priorities and the park refurbishment came very high on the list. As a co-founder of the CVCA I was particularily proud the current committee had fulfilled one of it's major long term goals.

The park refurbishment met these two objectives as local feedback wanted an improved park and the Community Association used it’s powers to attract the necessary funding to make it happen

The current committee is made up of various local volunteers and they worked passionately to make the funding available and coordinate activity to turn the funding into something the local area would enjoy for future generations.

This regeneration is testament to the fantastic community that we have here in Cragg Vale and the sheer number of people who want to get involved to make the area in which we live better. This involvement is entirely voluntary and is and is admired and respected.

The CVCA has now grown significantly to become a major part of the local community, with many active volunteers, a quarterly local newsletter, community website, local History group and carbon neutral forum and many organised events throughout the year

There will be new projects to  look forward to the  including refurbished shelter and tree sculptures

Speech and CVCA committee members

A really fun day out

Scott Trickett