Mythymroyd Christmas lights switch on 2011

Saturday 26th November 2011

This was the first time the lights had been 'officailly' switched on in Mytholmroyd in 12 years. Many people had made comments to me about a switch on in Mytholmroyd and with the various recent redevelopments in the town I felt it was important to have an official turn on this year in my tenure.

The switch on followed the Saturday Matinee St. Michaels Amateurs fantastic perfomance of the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Opening Speech

200-300 people were present for what was a simply fantastic community event for Mytholmroyd.

Together with myself and Emily, the cast of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe led the Carol singing.

Father Christmas made a second visit to Hebden Royd to the delight of the children from the schools; Burnley Road, Cragg Vale, Scout Road, Montissori and Steiner. We talked and shared fruit and sweets with them all.

Father Christmas, Emily and Myself singing the carols

 

I would like to give special thanks to full cast and music of the Lion the witch and the Wardrobe for the fantastic music and accomapanying singing, something Sweet Sweet shop and Hoult's Greengrocers for their kind and contributions for the people of Hebden Royd.

One of the Children's designed christmas lights

During the Mytholmroyd event I recieved many comments how pleased people were at this community led event. This event really got the spririt of people going and there were many comments about future events in 2012; including a street party to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

Father Christmas, Amy, Myself, the children and Cllr Christine Bampton- Smith

Myself, Amy, Marcus, Emily and Natalie wish everyone in Hebden royd a fantastic Christmas and very Best Wishes for 2012

Scott, Amy, Marcus, Emily and Natalie

Hebden Bridge Christmas Lights 2011

Thursday 24th November 2011

Hebden Bridge christmas lights switch on  saw a packed square on Thursday evening  with perfect weather in Hebden Bridge Town centre. Children and parents from all of the 7 primary schools, various pre shcools and nurseries in Hebden Royd had been invited and turned up to enjoy the opening of this years festive season for Hebden Royd. I also spoke to many visitors from the surrenounding area.

welcome Speech

Hebden bridge junior band open up the evening with some carols whereby everyone joined in.

Hebden Bridge Junior Band

Father Christmas made a welcomed visit to the delight of the 100's of happy children and we talked and shared fruit and sweets with them all.

Father Christmas and Myself entertaining the children

At 5-00 we saw a big count down and the lights came on to the cheers of all. Many people commented on how well the tree looked this year with the 'twinkle' lights feature.

I would like to give special thanks to Hebden Bridge Junior Band for the fantastic music, Something Sweet Sweet shop and Hoult's Greengrocers for their kind and contributions for the people of Hebden Royd.

Myself and my family wish everyone in Hebden Royd a wonderful Christmas and very Best Wishes for 2012.

Scott, Amy, Marcus, Emily and Natalie

Sweet Charity - Calder Valley Youth Theatre Performance

Huge thanks to the Calder Valley Youth Theatre for inviting myself and my family to the Matinee show of Sweet Charity on Saturday. We were extremely proud to represent Hebden Royd at this fantastic show of youth theatrical talent from within Hebden Royd and surrounding area.

Myself, Marcus and Emily had a great time. The show itself was unbelievable, we seriously had a fabulous time. I was totally astonished at the ability of all the performers, The singing, dancing and whole production would not have been out of place in leading theatres in Manchester or Leeds.

Congratulations to the whole cast, Producers, Directors and other officials you should all be very proud of the local talent we have in the young people of our area. I am certainly extemely proud.

We thoroughly look forward to the next production.

Scott, Marcus Emily

19th November 2011

Hebden Bridge Bonfire

5th November 2011

I was absolutely delighted and honoured to be invited by the organisors (Hebden Bridge and District Round Table) to 'light the fire' and open this year's 51st Hebden Bridge Bonfire and firework display.

The weather could not have been more perfect. We had a dry day- so the bonfire pile was not wet- and clear and still moonlit night - perfect conditions for viewing the fabulous show.

In my opening speech I said that last year around 8000+ people had attended. Having attended last year, this year was even more !! Post event Reports say that 11000 to 12000 people attended this year - unbelievable !!!.

'Lighting' the Bonfire

with Organisor Neil Smith and Emily

The Bonfire was lit at 6-30pm and by 6-45 was roaring. At 7-00pm Neil, Emily, Compare Charlie and Myself counted down the children's fireworks.

Neil Smith, Emily and myself during the opening speech

President Neil Smith and myself after a fantastic bonfire and firework show

In recent years the Hebden Bridge and district  Round Table have tried to make the event ever more family orientated. This year I saw hundreds of happy families enjoying the event. The organisors should be very proud of a fantastic event in the calendar of Hebden Royd. During a visit to one of the rides with Emily I spoke to a couple from Stockport - this was their first time to Hebden Bridge and they exclaimed what a fantastic town and surrounding area it was - This is a truly fantastic advert for our area.

Emily enjoying one of the many family rides

The main firework event started at 8-00pm...

Another audience countdown led by Neil, Emily, Compere Charlie and Myself started the fireworks immediately. What this led to was simply  an unbelievable show that lasted for around 20 minutes.

The crowd was totally buzzing at the avalanche of fireworks together with the synchronised music which did a great job to get them crowd going. The atmosphere was truly fantastic.

In my tenure this year I have been extremely lucky to be involved with some unbelievable events and this was certainly one of the significant highlights, a night that I will not forget for a very long time!.

Having attended most of the displays in the past 10 + years this was one of the best !!

Scott and Emily

5th November 2011

Mytholmroyd War memorial renovation

Sunday 16th October 2011

Amy and myself were absolutely thrilled to be asked to have direct involvement in the dedication and marking of respect of the renovation of our 'Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale Soldier' in the war memorial gardens, Myholmroyd.

Well over 300 people attended the re opening and there was a procession from St Michael's church to the memorial gardens. The procession itself included the Manchester Regimet, local church representatives, Hebden Royd Town Council - including Amy and myself, our Calderdale council Mayor Cllr Nader Fekri and Helen Silvester, local schools, scouts and the local church leaders .

Rev. Cannon James Allison our local Dean led the service and which was a tremendous mix of nostalgia and respect in rememberance of our fallen from Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale.

The Parade

In my speech I commended on the work the previous year in the garden renovation and the fact that it was opened by local war veteran Les Stewart. He was one of the last remaining survivors of the wars and sadly passed away 1 week before this years event. He would have been 96. There were very proud family members representing him on this special day.

The memorial was originally opened in July 1922 by a local man who had been badly injured in the Somme, his name was Gilbert Hartley.

The memorial itself was subject to over 90 years of the finest Pennine weather and also a vandalism attack in the 90's. Our soldier in Mytholmroyd has for many years looked 'past his best' and this refurbishment has brought him back to life... During the speech I spoke about the importance of preserving the remembrance of those difficult war years and this refurbishment will give a lasting reminder for many future generations. During the speech, I spoke of my own children remembering, their children and their children's children, well into the future

The unveiling itself was carried out by Mrs Barbera Jeffries. In my speech I said this was extremely poinent in that Mrs Jeffries was in fact Gilbert Hartley's daughter !! She exclaimed that she was extremely proud to uphold what her father had also done some 90 years ago. i also said this act was in itself and act of remembrance.

Just after the unveiling

Special Thanks to Jade Smith, Royd Regeneration and the sculptors John Swift and Andrew Bramley for this fabulous renovation of our soldier.

Some of the Dignitaries - Mrs Jeffries standing left of myself

Scott and Amy Trickett
16th October 2011