Posted by | Apr 14, 2025 | , | 0 Three generations of the same family have opened a new boutique vineyard in Meltham with the aim of it becoming a tourist destination for wine lovers Helme Edge Vineyard has been established by Alan Calder his daughter Fiona Smith and her son Tom Smith the vineyard will host tours and wine tasting events in a new purpose-built tasting building which looks down towards the conservation village of Helme and a wider vista of the Pennines The vineyard was officially opened by the Mayor of Meltham Clr David Haigh on Saturday (April 12) and tours and wine tasting for visitors start on Saturday April 19 with Fiona supporting in between her job as director of homecare company Caremark Kirklees and her mum Jennifer will also be involved in the family business Alan said: “I have been a winemaker for many decades and both Fiona and Duncan were in the wine business before they established Caremark Kirklees so with the land we have and its south facing position “We started experimenting in 2017 by planting 70 vines and in 2020 we made a little vintage which was very nice “We expanded in several stages from there and decided in 2022 to turn our hobby into a business “We now have several thousand vines which will produce still and sparkling white wines and rose.” Tom was studying filmmaking at university and since graduating has decided to concentrate full-time on the family business He has recently returned from Australia where he gained experience in winemaking at a large winery in the Victoria region north of Melbourne Tom said: “I enjoyed planting the original vines with my grandad and I love working outdoors so when our hobby became an actual business “Our initial business strategy is to focus on tourism tastings but we plan to increase our yields so we harvest more grapes The longer-term goal is to eventually make the actual wine here too.” Tom is looking forward to the tours and added: “We want to make coming here a real experience for people so we will show them around the vineyard and take them through the entire process before bringing them into the tasting room where they can try the wines and have a few nibbles we couldn’t have a better location to do this and with wine being in the DNA of the family we’re very excited to share the vineyard and our passion for wine with others.” People wishing to book tasting tours, or find out more about the vineyard can visit https://helmeedgevineyard.co.uk/ What’s on in Huddersfield in April 2025 with Sean Ryder, International Market, Easter egg hunt, Meltham Beer Festival & more The former Warrington and Hull KR man brings a wealth of experience to the Giants pack recently competing in a Challenge Cup and a Grand Final during his career and will spend the next four years at the John Smith's Stadium with the Giants King will join his hometown club at the age of 29 after a distinguished career which has seen him feature for Warrington Wolves Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR in Super League With 195 Super League appearances to his name so far he compliments a pack that includes young talent such as Olly Wilson You can watch George's full interview, where we sat down with our new signing at Northern Sole Cafe by clicking here. George commented on the move to his hometown club "10 years ago I was in the Giants academy playing with some lads who are still in Super League now and I know some others in the team I’m looking forward to getting in and bonding with them and the new players that are coming in.” Head Coach Luke Robinson also commented on securing George King to the Giants for 2025 and beyond tough prop and he's got a really good carry and a quick play the ball which is crucial for our nines playing off him "He does a lot of the unselfish defensive work that people don't appreciate but is crucial to the team and our success in 2025 he's captained at club level and international level so we're hoping he can bring them leadership qualities to us and he compliments the likes of Thomas (Burgess) starting at just £99 for Under 30's and £190 for Over 30's which guarantees you access to ALL 13 Betfred Super League home games in 2025 Join the Robinson Revolution in 2025 and grab a Season Card now GET YOUR 2025 SEASON CARD NOW! site by fluidcm.co.uk About us | Newsroom | Contact us The public are being reminded not to take barbeques onto our moorland as it’s revealed that the likely cause of a huge moorland fire was a disposable cooker Dozens of crews supported by local land managers and rangers have spent three days on Meltham Moor tackling a wildfire that required five fire appliances five wildfire units and three all-terrain vehicles at its peak Now firefighters have confirmed that they found a barbeque at the suspected point of origin of the fire Lead Wildfire Officer Richard Hawley says “When we initially deployed onto the moor we found several seats of fire While we can’t confirm 100% that this was the cause This wildfire has been extremely difficult to control due to the large quantity of fuel fire supportive weather and challenging terrain.” Moorland fires can spread quickly and flare up again due to the fire being ‘deep seated in the peat’ which means that even if it appears the flames are out significant heat remains under the moorland This incident was made more difficult as the location of the fire was miles away from any water sources meaning crews had to run several kilometres of hose Richard adds “The crews have worked so hard – we’ve had around 50 firefighters up there – it’s been a tough job Moorland fires always require a big resource which means firefighters and fire engines are taken away from their local station area We can manage this thanks to careful coordination from our brilliant control room operators but it’s not an ideal situation for anyone across West Yorkshire “We really want people to enjoy our beautiful countryside and the schools are broken up – but we are reminding people not to ever take barbeques onto our moorland one barbeque caused so much devastation – it’s not worth it.” Richard Bailey - Coordinator for the Peak District Moorland Group said “We are all relieved to at last see some better summer weather at last but please heed the messaging of #BeMoorAware even with all the rain and sodden ground conditions the vegetation has dried out and coupled with large outbreaks of heather beetle damage which has left much of our heather lacking sap a dropped match or BBQ can spell disaster for our moorland areas All visitors need to be aware of the dangers of summer wildfires any anti-social activities should be reported immediately.” said “Now that the summer weather is finally here with many people out and about enjoying the beautiful local countryside we’re urging everyone to take care of our moorlands.  “We’ve seen the devastating impact of wildfires on moorland across the region It’s so important that we do all we can to protect our distinctive environment which are destroyed by these preventable fires “We work with organisations like West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of the Calderdale Community Safety Partnership to raise awareness of the dangers of moorland fires and how to prevent them We have updated our advice signage in key areas.” General Manager for the National Trust in West Yorkshire said “Sincere thanks for all the hard work from those involved in tackling this fire It is devastating to see the damage caused to the moor and ongoing impact to wildlife Our ranger team and volunteers regularly monitor the moorland at this time of year to spot any signs of fire and ask for your help in calling 999 if you ever see smoke” wildlife and the environment West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind the public that a public spaces protection order (PSPO) is in place on our moorland If you take flammables onto the moor you could be prosecuted and fined Both Council Wardens and West Yorkshire Police will deal robustly with anyone breaching the PSPO given the devastation that fires cause to communities wildlife and the environment.  If you see a fire or someone using a BBQ on moorland please dial 999 and ask for the fire service Below are some simple steps you can take to help protect the wildlife and moors West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would also like to place on record a sincere thank you to all our partners who have assisted in this operation West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Water alongside Peak District Moorland Group gamekeepers and farmers © 2025 West Yorkshire Fire And Rescue Service - All Rights Reserved Posted by | Nov 14, 2024 | | 0 The Crossroads Project in Meltham has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024 the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK The Crossroads Project was set up by Meltham Churches Together the purpose of the charity is to support the community in Meltham and the surrounding area From the opening of the Crossroads shop in 1996 the opening of the Crossroads Information and Advice Centre and later a food bank the project has always relied on its hard working and committed volunteers The Crossroads Shop was set up to sell clothing and household goods at very low prices The impact of this is that the local community can enjoy shopping buying essential and good quality items at very affordable prices throughout the year The Crossroads Information and Advice Centre provides free benefit and debt advice and free legal advice by qualified advisors In the centre there are a variety of groups who meet regularly to help combat loneliness and improve wellbeing The food bank serves approximately 160 families lunch packs through the school holidays and works closely with the local welfare provision and the volunteers aim to make sure no one goes hungry whatever day of the week it is Help shape the future of Meltham by taking part in the ‘Ask Meltham’ survey said: “The Crossroads Project has over 70 volunteers I am delighted that all the volunteers from the Crossroads Project have been recognised for their hard work and commitment to the people of Meltham “I would like to pay tribute to the many volunteers who have worked in the Crossroads Charity Shop the food bank and the Information and Advice Centre for the last 30 years The Crossroads Project is one of 281 local charities and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year Uniform Exchange and Outlookers have also received the award The award was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of King Charles The awards are announced on the King’s birthday Representatives of the Crossroads Project will receive the award crystal and certificate from Ed Anderson and two volunteers will attend a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2025 Uniform Exchange volunteers celebrate King’s Award for Voluntary Service the equivalent of an MBE Posted by | Mar 23, 2025 | | 0 The Kirklees school holidays fall earlier this year – and that means so does Meltham Beer Festival Friday April 11 to Sunday April 13 – and tickets are available now is sponsored once again by SCM Rooftech and the music stage is generously sponsored by Nick Woodhead Design & Illustration said: “Time flies round and it doesn’t feel long since last year’s event We’re proud to be able to put on such a popular event in Meltham The logistics of it are a challenge each year but the camaraderie and great team effort always makes it worth the effort “It is great that our sponsors are backing us once again and we’re hoping the weather remains dry for the weekend itself and that lots of people come down to support us.” which will again raise a share of money for the school cider and soft drinks to Meltham and create a space for people to meet up with friends and family This year there’ll be craft lager and on the Saturday an exclusive new cocktail product will be launched at the event too There will be some excellent local food on offer which this year features the ever popular Nomadic Pizza van The Coffee Van and the popular Slathwaite-based Braise who will be serving up loaded fries and sweet chilli chicken bites The weekend will feature performances from Scaramanga Six There will also be an opportunity to join in with some African drum sessions Tickets for each session are available to buy at https://linktr.ee/melthambeerfestival or paper copies can be bought in Meltham from The Waggon & Horses Ale drinkers in Golcar can pick up their tickets from The Fifth Fiend Sponsorship opportunities are still available and all the details can be found on the website https://linktr.ee/melthambeerfestival Posted by | Mar 29, 2025 | | 0 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited textile firm Camira in Meltham on Friday to announce the Government’s investment in transport infrastructure across Northern England which supplies fabrics to the majority of the major transport operators across the UK welcomed the Prime Minister alongside Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin Colne Valley MP Paul Davies and Huddersfield MP Harpreet Uppal Sir Keir confirmed a £415 million investment to improve rail services between Manchester and York alongside nearly £1.7 billion allocated for local buses and roads across the North Camira’s CEO Alan Williams said: “We were very grateful to the Prime Minister the Mayor of West Yorkshire and our local MPs for visiting Camira “It was fantastic to introduce them to many of our key staff members who are vital to the success of our business “This investment will be crucial for businesses across the North that rely on transport services to get to work “Camira has long been a supplier of fabrics for the transport sector so we are particularly pleased to hear about the major investment planned for this industry.” the Prime Minister shared a personal anecdote revealing that his own train was delayed on the way to the event underscoring the very challenges his investment plans aim to address Sir Keir said: “The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity it has been held back by a Victorian-era transport system so I understand the real-world impacts – missed appointments work meetings rescheduled – all of which contribute to insecurity and instability for working people “My Government will not stand by and watch and today’s investment is a down payment for growth and a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries.” Confirmation of the latest tranche of funding for the TransPennine Route Upgrade was welcomed by TRU managing director James Richardson who said: “The Government’s continued support for TRU is a clear vote of confidence in the work we are doing which is an enabler to releasing the economic potential of the North “This funding supports our onward journey to be truly transformational more reliable rail services that connect people to jobs “By improving connectivity and increasing capacity we are not only enhancing journeys for customers but also helping to drive up investment supporting more housing and more jobs and boosting productivity across the region.” Posted by | Nov 10, 2024 | | 0 ‘How good is our place?’ That’s the question being asked of anyone who lives The latest ‘Ask Meltham’ project is underway and people are invited to share their thoughts on life in the town being run by Meltham Town Council with support from Kirklees Council Helme and Wilshaw and it’s a chance to influence the future of the town and surrounding villages Several consultation events have already taken place but there’s still time to make your voice heard Mayor of Meltham Clr David Haigh urged as many people as possible to take part and said: “Ask Meltham 2024 is vitally important and we urge all residents to get involved “We want everyone to have a voice and your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our community make a difference and together we can build a brighter future for Meltham.” People can take part online HERE or request a paper questionnaire by ringing Kirklees Council on 01484 221000 and asking for Julie McDowell or e-mail PlaceStandard@kirklees.gov.uk the first series of conversations took place and Meltham Town Council listened and has invested more than £300,000 in projects to address people’s concerns This investment supported the refurbishment of the play area at Robert Ashton Memorial Park Meltham; anti-litter and dog fouling campaigns; investments in Meltham town centre; and helped local businesses by improving the streetscene with floral displays additional benches and investment in Christmas lights Meltham Town Council has also invested in the development of activities to support young people in the town through youth sessions being held at Meltham Crossroads Centre and outreach activities at The Complex Working with Kirklees ward councillors and as a direct outcome of the 2019 Ask Meltham project Meltham Town Council was able to obtain funding to support the upgrade of the now pelican crossing outside the Co-op; push for safety improvements at the top and bottom of Acre Lane; and address speeding concerns on Slaithwaite Road Ask Meltham 2024 is the 30th ‘How Good is our Place?’ activity in Kirklees and is intended to spark meaningful conversations about any local place across the borough Anyone who has an interest in Meltham is encouraged to take part Clr Haigh added: “We’re five years on since Ask Meltham 2019 and this is an opportunity to look back and assess the changes we’ve made but also look forward and decide how we want to improve Meltham in the future “We’ve had a great response so far but we want everyone to have a say on their priorities and what they’d like to see in the future “Many new people will have come into Meltham to live or work in the last five years and they too can help shape the future of our town.” For more information go to https://howgoodisourplace.org.uk/ask-meltham/ Posted by | Feb 17, 2025 | | 0 Pressure is growing on Kirklees Council to deliver on a 17-year-old promise to extend the picturesque Meltham Greenway to Netherton Meltham and South Crosland have come together to urge the council to open up the extension along what was the historic Meltham Branch Line A petition signed by more than 3,000 people was handed in at a full council meeting this week by Crosland Moor & Netherton Green Party councillor Alex Vickers Campaigners say opening up the route to cyclists and walkers will link up communities; improve accessibility; boost health and wellbeing; improve the environment and cut pollution by reducing short car journeys; and help preserve and promote local history said: “The extension to the Meltham Greenway has been promised for almost two decades and it’s time for Kirklees Council to deliver on its promise “The council has received contributions towards the costs from various local building projects yet the council has yet to break ground on the Greenway extension “Frustrations are growing in the community and we’ve submitted a petition to the council The council needs to honour a commitment that’s almost two decades old and we want to hear from them on funding and a date for when work will start.” Netherton Community Group says it may be that work on the Netherton extension would have to be carried out in two phases The cost is estimated in the region of £1 million It’s thought that the council’s longer-term ambition is to extend the Greenway to Lockwood or even beyond The council has already received financial contributions as part of planning permission for two housing developments in Netherton The council secured £58,000 and some land as part of the Fold Farm development for 19 houses and also £125,000 from a 250-home scheme in Netherton Moor Road Crosland Moor & Netherton Independent councillor Jo Lawson submitted a written question to Clr Graham Turner Cabinet member for regeneration and finance In his response Clr Turner said: “The extension of the Meltham Greenway to Netherton Fold remains part of the council’s Active Travel ambition “Critical to the delivery of the overall scheme ambitions for the Meltham Greenway are the discussions with landowners on the use of land “This makes it challenging to commit to a construction start date at this time but the council remains committed in maintaining an open dialogue with the landowners “The council has secured West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) funding in 2024 to start the initial development of the greenway link to Netherton Fold The link is in design now with ecological and bridge assessment surveys now procured “Further funding will be needed to complete the project The development work currently being undertaken will help to secure these monies when the opportunity arises.” The 50-year battle for Clayton Fields is over as work starts on exclusive 40-home estate Posted by | Aug 21, 2024 | | 0 Two Huddersfield waste sites will shut for two days a week and another Kirklees tip will close down altogether in the latest council cuts to take effect later this year Meltham and Upper Cumberworth household waste sites will only open five days a week instead of seven from late autumn while Nab Lane in Birstall will shut completely Closing Nab Lane will mean there will be just four tips to serve the whole of Kirklees and just one – Dewsbury – in North Kirklees Cuts were approved in the council’s 2024-25 budget in March but the details have only just been released following a review It’s also outdated and difficult to access To upgrade it to modern standards would cost around £7 million Based on a usage review by the council’s waste operating partner SUEZ Bent Ley Road in Meltham will open Wednesday to Sunday while Bromley Farm in Upper Cumberworth will open Friday to Tuesday Sharing resources across the two sites means they stay open on peak days Holme Valley North Independent councillor Charles Greaves described the reduction in hours at Meltham as “disappointing” but he was pleased it hadn’t been earmarked for closure “What we have seen before when opening times have changed is a spike in fly-tipping or people dumping rubbish at the gate which is effectively fly-tipping,” he said “When the new operating days are introduced we need to ensure the message gets out there and that everyone is aware.” There was talk on Facebook of local residents setting up a petition to keep Nab Lane open Cabinet member for environment and highways said: “Nab Lane is not built to the modern split-level standards and would require significant investment to bring the site in line with the other four HWRCs alongside other ongoing remedial works to ensure health and safety levels are maintained around £7 million pounds to bring the site up to modern day standards “The review shows the remaining HWRCs have capacity to cope with increased vehicle numbers and waste with Weaving Lane in Dewsbury the nearest site to Nab Lane for those wanting to use the facilities.” *Times change when clocks go back on October 27 2024 Landslip-hit Dalton Bank Road to remain closed until at least Spring 2025 says Kirklees Council Posted by | Sep 4, 2024 | | 0 Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has boosted the 324 bus service between Huddersfield and Meltham will increase from one bus every 20 minutes to one bus every 15 minutes during the day There will also be additional early morning late evening and Sunday services put in place Buses are a priority for Mayor Brabin who said: “More buses more often will make it easier for people to access jobs training and leisure activities – and help us tackle social isolation by connecting families and communities “Bus improvements like this are just one part of our mission to build a better-connected West Yorkshire.” The change is just the latest in a series of improvements the mayor has made to bus services across West Yorkshire The changes have been funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Programme (BSIP) The BSIP has seen the introduction of the £2 Mayor’s Fares and new bus services launching across West Yorkshire A computer-generated image of what the new Huddersfield Bus Station could look like. Read more about that HERE deputy chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “Buses play a vital role in daily life across Kirklees and West Yorkshire “This investment will encourage more people to use public transport – getting people where they need to go and getting people to leave their cars at home.” The latest improvements follow the high-profile announcement in March that the mayor has chosen to bring West Yorkshire’s buses back under local control through a process known as franchising commercial director of First Bus in West Yorkshire said: “We have worked closely with the Combined Authority on the network in this area and are delighted to have agreed support to enable further improvements to frequency and reliability “This will help support better connectivity between Huddersfield and Meltham to support the local community.” Posted by | Oct 25, 2024 | | 0 Kirklees Council has confirmed the changes for household waste recycling centres in the district The council is to shut down the household waste recycling centre (HWRC) in Nab Lane on Sunday November 10 and will change the operating days at Meltham and Upper Cumberworth from the same date Bent Ley Road in Meltham will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and Bromley Farm in Upper Cumberworth will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays The changes were approved at October’s Cabinet meeting as one of many cost-saving measures being implemented across the council the winter opening hours for all Kirklees HWRCs will come into effect The opening hours change annually when the clocks change the winter opening times will commence on Sunday October 27 with all sites open 8am-4pm daily at all sites A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “These changes to our Household Waste and Recycling Centres have allowed us to save nearly £200k over the next two financial years while maintaining the peak opening times across the remaining sites “We have had to make difficult decisions in the current financial climate but this proposal still leaves Birstall and Birkenshaw residents with the industry-recommended journey time to their nearest HWRC “The closure of Nab Lane will also put Kirklees at a level of service comparable to that of Leeds Bradford and Wakefield when comparing density of provision.” The council’s other two HWRCS are at Emerald Street You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience has announced the closure of the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Nab Lane This decision is part of the budget-saving measures outlined in the 2024/25 Budget which was approved by Full Council in March a review of operating days at all HWRCs across the district was undertaken Following this review and subsequent consultation Kirklees Council has decided to close the Nab Lane site The decision was based on the need for significant investment in the facility and data showing that Nab Lane is the least used of the district’s five HWRCs Kirklees Council will revise the operating days at two other HWRCs the Meltham site on Bent Ley Road will reduce its operating days to five per week the Bromley Farm site in Upper Cumberworth will operate from Friday to Tuesday The reduction in operating days is based on a usage review conducted by SUEZ which determined that sharing resources across both sites would ensure they remain open during peak times Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways commented on the closure: “Nab Lane is not built to the modern split-level standards and would require significant investment to bring the site in line with the other four HWRCs “The review shows the remaining HWRCs have the capacity to cope with increased vehicle numbers and waste with Weaving Lane in Dewsbury being the nearest site to Nab Lane for those wishing to use the facilities.” The closure of Nab Lane and the changes to the operating days at Meltham and Upper Cumberworth are expected to take effect in late autumn though an exact date has yet to be confirmed the nearest HWRC for residents will be the site at Weaving Lane The other HWRC locations in the district are: The HWRCs operate with the following opening times: Opening times will change when clocks go back on 27 October 2024 For further information on items accepted at the HWRCs, residents are encouraged to visit the Kirklees Council website at www.kirklees.gov.uk/wastesites and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" How important is tackling knife crime in local communities to you View Results Kirklees Local TV is an internet-based TV station and film production company providing premier local news and entertainment for the diverse local people of Kirklees © 2024 Kirklees Local TV - Hosted by: Blacksmith Marketing Posted by | Jan 15, 2025 | | 0 Parking charges have now been introduced at 15 previously free council car parks across Kirklees – but that’s where it starts to get complicated… you can still have two hours free parking – as long as you know what you’re doing There are four car parks in South Kirklees with the two-hour free parking – Huddersfield Road at Sands in Holmfirth Carlile Street in Meltham and New Street in Slaithwaite Marsden and Meltham all have pay and display machines which only take card payments – not cash – or you can use parking company RingGo Using RingGo means you phone them up or you enter your details on the RingGo app on a smart phone that’s where it becomes a bit more tricky – particularly for older drivers Slaithwaite only has RingGo which means it can’t be used by people without mobile phones or those not tech savvy enough to download and navigate an app The important thing to remember at Slaithwaite is that even if you’re just parking for two hours for free you must register your arrival with RingGo – or face a £50 fine The other three car parks have pay and display machines but you must get your ticket for your two free hours or face the risk of a civil enforcement officer giving the car a penalty notice A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “Contacting RingGo is the equivalent to displaying a ticket which shows when the allotted two free hours starts and ends “Kirklees Council does not use cameras in car parks to track vehicle arrivals or departures Enforcement officers have a secure link to the RingGo portal to check vehicle registrations “When a civil enforcement officer checks a car park any vehicle where evidence is not available showing registration of a ticket for a free parking session or payment will be issued a penalty charge notice for contravention.” This is £50 although reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days People can either phone RingGo or use an app but Kirklees concedes that anyone without a mobile phone won’t be able to use car parks where there are no pay and display machines and only RingGo is operational said: “Of the 57 council owned car parks located across the district The remaining car parks are free for the first two hours after which fees are charged “Only eight of these require a mobile phone to pay Payment can be made over the phone or via the RingGo app but a smartphone is not required “There are no extra fees added when registering for the two free hours of parking when paying for additional hours there is a small fee added by RingGo Users must also ensure they opt out of text reminders to avoid a charge for this additional service “The decision made by Cabinet not to install ticket machines at these locations was down to the number of spaces offered at these car parks are available for users in each of the localities who don’t have access to a mobile phone “We are closely monitoring the impact of the new charges and taking onboard feedback received.” For all four car parks in Huddersfield that are part of the new scheme the first two hours are free then Standedge in Marsden Carlile Street in Meltham and New Street in Slaithwaite are 80p for one hour £3.30 up to five hours and £6.50 for over five hours The Sands car park off Huddersfield Road in Holmfirth is classed as short stay so the maximum people can park there is four hours with no return within two hours The cost after the two hours free parking is 80p for one hour and £1.60 for two There are no extra fees added by RingGo when registering for the two free hours of parking when paying for additional hours there is a small fee added by RingGo which is 4p for £1 or less and 16p for £1 or more Kirklees states: “Our larger car parks have a contactless machine to pay but there are details of how to pay using a cashless system “If you are parking at a car park that doesn’t have a payment machine on site you must contact RingGo or use the RingGo app to obtain your free 2-hour parking and make a payment if you’re staying longer stay “At a car park with a contactless machine you must retrieve a ticket from the machine contact RingGo or use the RingGo app to obtain your free 2-hour parking or make payment for a longer stay “We have signs with instructions on how to register for the free parking and how to make a contactless payment using the app or calling RingGo.” Kirklees Council had initially proposed bringing in the charges at 57 free car parks but radically scaled the plans back after it faced a wave of protest fearing the charges would kill off trade in towns and villages or lead to far more cars being parked on roads Car Parks where charges apply after the first two hours of free parking: Written ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies Back to the drawing board for new music venue as Our Cultural Heart costs rise again 10 pumps were on the scene off Wessendenhead Road after it set alight at around 8pm on Monday night Crews returned at first light on Tuesday and wildfire specialist teams with blowers were called in to support firefighters in tackling the flames The response has since been scaled down after the size of the blaze reduced significantly Speaking to ITV News Calendar at the scene earlier in the day Dale Gardiner from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said: "The wind has taken a hold the fire's got a bit worse and we've got more resources here and further specialists dealing with the incident "Hot weather dries out the vegetation and then any interaction out on the moor can lead to what you can see behind us Hopefully we won't see any more this summer." West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews will remain on the scene of the blaze until dusk to prevent hot spots can ignite again They are still urging the public to avoid the area Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know Posted by | Jun 25, 2024 | | 0 Our Quilt is a community textiles project created with residents of Meltham Helme and Wilshaw to represent and celebrate what people love about where they live 100 handmade fabric squares representing and celebrating features of the four villages have been made by the community and stitched together into a colourful quilt that will go on display at the Carlile Institute in Meltham on Saturday July 6 The project was initiated by Meltham town councillor Ann Jurczyszyn who was inspired by the ‘Speak Their Name’ memorial quilt that had been exhibited at the Carlile Institute last year The project delivery team also includes local residents from Meltham Quilters The Crossroads Shop and the Community Haberdashery brings together many textile techniques including knitting the imagination and the quality of the work is overwhelming,” said Clr Jurczyszyn Many local businesses are represented and 22 scenes from local landscapes have been interpreted in textiles Animals also feature throughout the quilt in addition to local churches representing the popular Meltham Scarecrow Festival that takes place each spring and three David Brown tractor squares reflect the importance of that legacy to this day a trustee of The Crossroads Project and a contributor to the quilt said: “It is a tribute to the strength of the community that all project packs made available for collection from the central pick up location at the Crossroads Shop “Although we stipulated that the subject matter should celebrate a local feature of village life we have had submissions from residents past and present including one from a previous resident now living in Australia!” The quilt will be on display in the Jubilee Room of the Carlile Institute HD9 4AG on Saturday July 6 between 12.30pm and 4pm for Meltham Memories Retro Weekend The quilt will also be on display alongside the Holmfirth Artweek Fringe as follows: July 9-11 (12noon-7pm); July 12 (12noon-8pm); and July 13 (12noon-2pm) Following this the quilt will go on tour and be displayed in various venues in the villages including Greenacres Care Home To host Our Quilt on tour, or for more information about the project, please email julia@upcycle-fashion.co.uk What’s on in Huddersfield in July 2024 with Huddersfield Comic Con, monster trucks, beer tasting, comedy, music and more Santa is touring the Holme Valley in his sleigh … and you really can’t miss him The jolly fellow and his elves from Holme Valley Lions are touring the villages and towns throughout December handing out sweets and collecting cash as they go for groups and families in need across the area schools and local charities with every penny Santa raises staying in the Holme Valley People and groups in the Holme Valley can apply to the Lions for small pots of funding Santa always needs more volunteer elves. If you can help, contact Holme Valley Lions via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/holmevalleylions Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases What’s On in Huddersfield in December 2024 with Christmas markets, pantos, concerts and more Posted by | Jul 18, 2024 | | 0 A chess club is staging a 24-hour marathon to raise money for club funds and also for a community centre in Cowlersley Meltham and Denby Dale Chess Club is holding the marathon at the centre this Saturday July 20 – World Chess Day – for Storth House non-profit community interest company Storth House has been based in a former care home on Cowlersley Lane for the last five years and provides low cost childcare a Bread and Butter project providing low cost food Co-director Emily Edgar said: “We are now fundraising to renovate our playground and it looks like the cost will be upwards of £16,000 so the money raised by the chess club will go towards that.” Storth House has organised a computerised race night to raise money towards the playground at Broad Oak Bowling Club at Hazel Grove in Linthwaite this Friday The chess marathon starts at 10am on Saturday and goes right through to 10am on Sunday and will be livestreamed on the club’s YouTube channel Grandmaster Daniel King will be joining online at 10am on Sunday to play some casual games The club plays its tournaments at Storth House and decided to help fundraise towards the playground Some of the money raised will also be used to buy more chess boards as the club recently expanded to Denby Dale where it meets every Thursday between 6.45pm and 10pm at the Foresters Arms in Lower Cumberworth Volunteers from Storth House in Cowlersley The 24-hour marathon will be open to the public from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and again from 7am on Sunday There will be a barbecue at 5pm on Saturday and prize draws during the event said seven players will be taking it in turns to play chess throughout the night “Some of the money we raise will also be needed for a new website for members which we hope will include a training section,” he said The original Meltham Chess Club originally started in April 2023 and now has 32 juniors and 60 adults since branching out to Denby Dale and Slaithwaite with players coming from as far away as Dewsbury The club was set up by Robert Mitchell and Brendan Briggs at the Travellers Rest pub on Slaithwaite Road in Meltham and meets there every Monday evening with the juniors at 6.45pm and the adults at 7.45pm The club also meets at the Vanilla Bean café in Slaithwaite between 5.30pm and 9pm every Friday Meltham and Denby Dale Chess Club has its own Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/974926743605266 To donate to the 24-hour chess marathon fundraising go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/MelthamandDenbyDaleChessClub?utm_term=9NPxzja4v To watch the 24-hour chess marathon livestream which starts at 9.30am on Saturday go to  https://www.youtube.com/@MelthamandDenbyDaleChessClub Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases which fire crews have spent three days tackling was most likely caused by a disposable barbecue At the peak of the fire, which took hold of a 4km stretch of Meltham Moor, 10 pumps were on the scene off Wessendenhead Road. Crews were called after the moorland set alight at around 8pm on Monday night five wildfire units and three-all terrain vehicles have been used to put out the flames Firefighters say they have found a barbecue where they believe the fire was started Lead Wildfire Officer Richard Hawley from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “When we initially deployed onto the moor we found several seats of fire "While we can’t confirm 100% that this was the cause "This wildfire has been extremely difficult to control due to the large quantity of fuel fire supportive weather and challenging terrain.”  due to the fire being ‘deep seated in the peat’ which  means that even if it appears the flames are out This incident was made even more difficult for the 50 firefighters as the location of the fire was miles away from any water sources Crews had to run several kilometres of hose General Manager for the National Trust in West Yorkshire said: "It is devastating to see the damage caused to the moor and ongoing impact to wildlife "Our ranger team and volunteers regularly monitor the moorland at this time  of year to spot any signs of fire and ask for your help in calling 999 if you ever see smoke." Today (2 August) the fire service said that a change in the direction of the wind has meant that smoke from the fire is now blowing directly towards the town They are urging all residents to keep their doors and windows shut Posted by | Mar 30, 2025 | | 0 Welcome to Huddersfield Hub’s monthly What’s On guide for everything that’s happening in and around Huddersfield If it’s going ON we want it going IN our guide! If we’ve missed your event please send all the details in an email to Martin Shaw on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk or tag Huddersfield Hub on Facebook and don’t forget to like and follow our Facebook page – and tell your friends We’ll keep updating this guide throughout April so keep coming back to stay in the know If you like what we do, please support Huddersfield Hub by becoming a Patron for just £4.99 a month to help continue our coverage of local news, What’s On, charities, community events, business and sport. Subscribe via the link HERE What’s on in Huddersfield in May 2025 with VE Day events, Huddersfield Literature Festival, Golcar Lily Day, Party on the Pitch, Holmfirth Festival of Folk & more National Route 689 connects Meltham on the edge of the Peak District National Park with Lockwood Rail Station in south-west Huddersfield via a dismantled railway line This route is the first section of the popular Meltham Greenway - running along a disused railway line for about a kilometre from Cobble Street near Meltham Morrisons to Huddersfield Road It connects with the wonderful Pennine Cycleway, on National Route 68 Download your free guide to easy, traffic-free routes on the National Cycle Network in your area. We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes Walking and cycling routes change over time Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability experience and confidence levels of those in your group Would you like more route inspiration? Sign up to our newsletter. Route 689 is part of the National Cycle Network Your donation today will help keep the Network safe and open for everyone to enjoy Sign up now to hear more about our latest news Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Read our fundraising promise Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (326550) and Scotland (SC039263) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (1797726) at 2 Cathedral Square Jonathan Gaunt is returning to Meltham Golf Club for remodelling work All bunkers are being renovated as part of the project Modifications to green surrounds were made in the project’s third phase Golf course architect Jonathan Gaunt is returning to Meltham Golf Club in Huddersfield this autumn to complete the final phase of a remodelling project Gaunt advised the club on the conversion of a historic barn on their land to residential use which had previously been used to store machinery was sold in 2016 and developed into three private residences “This sale funded the redevelopment of the fifth hole to become a par three and following this the redesign and remodelling of all the course bunkers to be phased over three further years,” said Gaunt “We have completed the third phase of works where the bunkers on holes two thirteen and fourteen have all been remodelled to a very high standard by Profusion Environmental which includes the installation of Blinder bunker liner.” Work to improve drainage has been completed on the twelfth and fourteenth the green surrounds on the fourth and eleventh have been modified to make them more maintainable but also to create a consistent style throughout the course has been instrumental in the project including working with Profusion to install new drainage and to follow up with the turf laying of all working areas The fourth phase will include the completion of the bunker remodel on the remaining holes and is scheduled to start in autumn Gaunt added: “It was particularly enjoyable to be invited to advise at Meltham because my father had been the winner of the highly-regarded amateur invitation tournament Posted by | Aug 22, 2023 | | 0 A hidden gem of a park in Meltham is luring people back to nature with a daily mobile coffee van and free exercises The coffee van is owned by 35-year-old Jamie Owens who launched his business after quitting a high pressure life in advertising After getting the pitch in the Robert Ashton Memorial Park in Meltham in February he realised what a fantastic but hidden spot it is just off Huddersfield Road so has now organised free fun exercise sessions to attract more people into the park which features swings for both younger and older children lots of wildlife and a large free car park Jamie’s partner is Becky Chambers who grew up in Almondbury and they met when she was living in Meltham They moved to Manchester where Jamie worked in advertising but felt the pressure and ‘rat race’ of the life was having an impact on his mental health so they left the city and moved to Honley where they have a three-year-old son Jamie’s mobile business is called Step Out Coffee and he said that’s its aim … to entice people to spend some time in nature But he wondered what more could be done to spread the message about the park so teamed up with Slaithwaite-based fitness instructor Jodie Woodhouse who runs My Tribe Fitness Jamie pays for her to run the sessions which are being held every Tuesday morning from 9.15am to 10am featuring fun exercises set to music People need to book their free spot in advance as the sessions are for a maximum of 30 people but the first one was quickly full Book the spot through Jamie’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stepoutcoffee or his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvr-tQ0oYDH/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D If the tickets have all gone message Jamie on his social media and he’ll add you to a waiting list if people drop out The outdoor sessions Jamie is organising are called the Step Out Club and he’s thinking of adding more activities in the future He said: “When people visit the park for the first time they are amazed how lovely it is We’ve had people drop by who live in Meltham and didn’t even know it was here “My ethos is to encourage people to step outdoors to take a break and refresh as I believe it can have a huge effect on mental well-being.” Jamie’s van is in the park every day from 8.30am to 2pm except Mondays including weekends and he’ll post on his social media if he’s not going to be there There are lots of benches for people to sit He ensures his suppliers are local so the coffee is from Castroni Coffee based in Huddersfield Jamie said: “Emiliano runs the business by himself set up in 2020 and is in a similar position to me with a new business and a young family which is a big reason why I chose to work with him He also has a great product and service.”  The brownies are from Freckles and Curls based in Netherthong and run by Kate Godding who has a small home baking business another small home baking business based in Meltham and run by Sarah Brier Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases Posted by | Mar 12, 2024 | | 0 Easter falls earlier this year – and that means so does Meltham Beer Festival Friday March 29 to Monday March 31 – and tickets are available now with beer glasses sponsored by Greenacres Care Home and components company Accu said: “It’s great to have the beer festival back again and it’s much earlier this year The logistics of it are a challenge each year but the camaraderie and great team effort always makes it worthwhile cider and soft drinks to Meltham and create a space for people to meet up with friends and family BEAR The Coffee Roasters and the Punch Truck from Honley who will be serving up some sublime loaded fries The weekend will feature performances from Pat Fulgoni and The Bluebottles The Sunday afternoon session will have a more relaxed feel with acoustic performances from Mason Whittle Abbey Thomas and Sheffield’s very own Rob Modus As Easter comes so early the organisers are taking no chances with the weather and have two marquees just in case Tickets for each session are available to buy at www.melthambeerfestival.co.uk or paper copies can be bought from The Waggon & Horses The Flowerbox and CPS Estate Agents in Meltham Sponsorship opportunities are still available and all the details can be found on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MelthamBeerFestival/ Posted by | Apr 30, 2024 | | 0 Holmfirth-based commercial property specialist Towndoor Ltd has sold one of its six industrial estates for £4.25 million has been acquired by an undisclosed property investor Towndoor initially purchased the site 20 years ago and developed it over several years to accommodate a diverse range of businesses horsebox manufacturer and textile storage facility Family-owned Towndoor has been actively developing and letting commercial properties since 1998 Managing director Dan Bamforth said: “We are delighted to have completed on the sale of Bent Ley The strong sale amount achieved represents the quality of this industrial site “It has always been immaculately maintained and managed by our fantastic in-house team and is testament to the calibre of tenants we have secured during our ownership “My team and I would like to wish the buyer and their new tenants continued success Towndoor has plans to develop retained land on its other sites whilst reducing a portion of its bank facility with the proceeds.” said: “We were extremely pleased to support Towndoor with the sale of what is a well-known estate in Meltham and we would like to wish the new owners all the very best with their plans for the site.” said: “Bramleys are delighted to have acted on behalf of Towndoor The transaction is another example of the continued appetite within the market for high quality industrial investment assets.” For more about Towndoor go to www.towndoor.co.uk Good News Business Round-up featuring Fishtank Agency, Reliance Precision, Film Buddy, Kirklees College, Carlton Alarms and YES Energy Solutions Posted by | Apr 16, 2024 | | 0 School children have won an environmental award for their dedication to litter-picking The youngsters from Meltham CE Primary School have concentrated on dealing with litter problems in the village and have collected more than 50 bags of rubbish so far It’s organised by the school’s Eco Committee and their efforts have earned them The Eco Schools Green Flag with distinction The flag is an annual accreditation to acknowledge reward and celebrate a school’s ecological achievements Now the youngsters hope people in Meltham will follow their lead and never drop litter The Eco Committee is made up of 14 children aged 5 to 11 and school cover supervisors Adele Ingham and Caroline Pearson Adele said: “We look at three environmental topics each year This year we have chosen to look at litter The children have really engaged in our litter topic and have enjoyed litter picking in the school grounds and around Meltham “Each time we go out into the community with our litter pickers the children are celebrated by local residents We are always shocked by how much litter we do find “We have pledged as a school community to collect 70 bags of litter this year through Keep Britain Tidy’s Litter Heroes campaign and have been encouraging the local community to join us through seeing our litter picking trips and our litter poster competition.” All pupils were given the opportunity to design a poster to discourage littering and from the hundreds of entries the Eco Committee and staff shortlisted 37 These were then judged by the Mayor of Meltham Clr Richard Noon and the finalists’ posters were displayed on a banner created by Meltham Town Council which is now displayed at the Carlile Institute in Meltham Eyes down for the first anniversary of Meltham Chess Club Posted by | Oct 14, 2023 | | 0 A 16-year-old from Huddersfield is in the finals of Miss Teen Great Britain this weekend Emily Green from Meltham attended Honley High School and is now studying fashion at Manchester City College The Miss Teen GB contest is not a beauty pageant – the judges are looking for someone with a great all-round personality The contest will be held in the Globe Theatre inside Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach on Sunday (Oct 15) Emily danced for nine years at Bodyrockerz School of Dance in Milnsbridge and became a National Pairs Champion as well as becoming a Premier Championship Dancer the highest achievement in freestyle slow dancing Emily said: “I would love to go to university and be a fashion designer one day. I entered Miss Teen just for fun originally not thinking I was going to make the final I can’t wait to meet girls from all over Great Britain and just enjoy the whole experience.” said: “The judges are looking for an all-rounder – a girl that is fun polite and generally encompasses what a representative for young teens should be “The marks are based on how the teen comes across during interview The organisers state: “Miss Teen Great Britain offers teenagers the chance to participate in a competition that combines glamour while celebrating their success and achievements It gives our finalists the character-building experience of a lifetime “This UK pageant is about empowering teens Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases Posted by | Jul 3, 2021 | | 0 It was a soggy first day for the Meltham Scarecrow Festival but organisers were nothing if not adaptable Heavy rain on Saturday failed to put a dampener on the fun and organisers Meltham Memories hope Sunday’s weather will be kinder There have been 43 scarecrow entries this year up from 34 the last time the festival was held in 2019 The judges have had their say but now there’s an all-important People’s Vote where visitors can vote for their favourites There are more prizes than ever – vouchers for local shops and businesses – and the aim is to give the high street a boost Clr Richard Noon said: “We have had a record entry this year and the aim is to welcome people back into Meltham We hope families will come out on Sunday and support local shops and businesses It is all about re-connecting the community.” On Sunday there will be a pop-up hosted by the Tin Box Pizza Co and stalls on Holmfirth Road outside The Pink Elephant between 11am and 5pm Local cafes and pubs will be open as usual Go along and see all 43 and then vote for your favourite HERE READ MORE: Badge of honour for people who were the pride of Meltham during lockdown A chess club which started in Meltham just six months ago has gone from strength to strength and will soon have teams competing at regional level It was set up by Robert Mitchell and Brendan Briggs at the Travellers Rest pub on Slaithwaite Road in Meltham and meets every Monday evening with the juniors at 6.45pm and the adults at 7.45pm Robert has been amazed at how popular it has been already He said: “We advertised our opening night through social media and posters in local shops and were delighted with the turnout Our busiest night had over 30 people and our events over the summer saw around 25 people coming “We have players of all ages and abilities – juniors and adults who are new to chess right up to former school champions who have rediscovered their love of the game “This year we are entering a team into the Silver Rook Yorkshire tournament and we’re also entering a team of juniors into the Yorkshire Under 18s league.” The club was free for the first three months and only got off the ground thanks to Lindley Chess Club allowing them to borrow their boards and sets Meltham Chess Club introduced a membership fee in July which means they have now bought their own kit The club runs on a zero profit basis with all membership fees spent on equipment and prizes for the club The club has linked up with Kirklees Libraries and one member The two clubs played a friendly tournament in August with Meltham winning 17.5 to 12.5 friendly and welcoming so has run a chess bingo night as well as events for the juniors such as Rollerball Chess Connect Four Chess and Battleships Bonanza The club also runs a weekly tactics competition and a Strategy Sunday discussion group hosted a simultaneous event and won all his games apart from one loss and one draw Anyone is welcome to attend on a Monday evening or can email for more information at melthamchess@gmail.com Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases Posted by | Apr 14, 2024 | | 0 A chess club in Meltham which started a year ago now has 50 people regularly attending aged from six into their 80s … and has also branched out into Slaithwaite Meltham Chess Club also has a strong emphasis on encouraging young people to get involved in chess with 11 junior coaches and an online training academy This means people can learn from home and 17 are now using it to make sure they have a solid understanding of the game More than 25 members have represented Meltham Chess Club in tournament games including eight juniors and it now has players coming from Fenay Bridge Meltham Chess Club was set up by Robert Mitchell and Brendan Briggs at the Travellers Rest pub on Slaithwaite Road in Meltham and meets every Monday evening with the juniors at 6.45pm and the adults at 7.45pm with his certificate from the Meltham Chess Club training academy Travellers Rest manager Liz Oxley said: “The children who attend the chess club are very keen and show the dedication they have to the club “It’s lovely to see them in deep concentration and not on mobile devices Clubs like this can only be an advantage to their future careers.” Robert said: “We’ve seen a really sharp increase in numbers and now run an extra club night in Slaithwaite as several members have been travelling over to Meltham from there.” The club meets at the Vanilla Bean café in Slaithwaite at 6pm every Friday Club member Ben Robinson redesigned the club logo which has been used to launch a range of club hoodies The club raised more than £300 at Christmas to buy each of its junior members a chess book The club now runs several chess events including Crystal Maze Chess Rollerball Chess and Mystery Square Chess for the juniors as well as events for the adults including Checkmate of the Month the Meltham Ashes club tournament and several online arena tournaments The club has its own Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/974926743605266 Anyone is welcome to attend on a Monday evening or can email for more information at melthamchess@gmail.com What’s On in Huddersfield in April 2024 with Huddersfield Literature Festival, concerts, fairs, music, comedy and more Posted by | Jun 25, 2021 | | 0 The Meltham Scarecrow Festival will return to Meltham this year which usually takes place over May Bank Holiday weekend is always popular with families The Scarecrow Festival will take place instead of Meltham Memories weekend Planning for the event began just a few weeks ago awaiting updates in Government guidance for public events and the event is now confirmed to go-ahead following consultation with Kirklees Council and others The event will feature locally made scarecrows which will be judged by the Mayor of Meltham Clr Roberta Bampton and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service The event will take place over the weekend of July 3 and 4 the hub of the event will be within the bus turning circle where a selection of community stalls will be hosted alongside a pop-up bar delivered by the ever popular Three Fiends Brewery (pre-booking is strongly advised) – it will be table service only An ice cream van and Tin Box Pizza Co will be in attendance too Those wishing to create and submit a scarecrow to be judged are asked to visit the website, www.melthammemories.co.uk and register it so that we can include it within the Scarecrow Trail The website will be the main source of information for the event so anyone wishing to attend can find out more information there too.A spokesman for the organisers said: “The event is aimed to get residents out of their homes and into the village – we want people to rediscover their local facilities once again and shop locally.” Posted by | Oct 10, 2021 | | 0 Meltham Shoebox Campaign is giving the most precious gift of all to children living in dire poverty this Christmas … a smile But it needs YOUR help to make that happen Since 2006 the Meltham Shoebox Campaign based at St James’ Church in Meltham Mills has filled shoeboxes with goodies and sent them to children living incredibly deprived lives in eastern Europe Over the years they have sent an average of 10,000 shoeboxes a year It doesn’t just happen – it’s a major operation involving 100 kind-hearted volunteers who are determined to bring a little joy into the lives of children aged three to 14 facing bleak winters Each box is different and the kind of things that can go in them include toys People can make up their own shoeboxes and take them to the church – and children may want to get involved to help youngsters living such bleak lives in the poorest European countries Work is already underway getting the boxes ready but the campaign starts on Monday November 1 and runs for a couple of weeks although organisers would like the boxes in the first week as the second week is taken up packing them ready for the journey READ MORE: Badge of honour for volunteers who were the pride of Meltham The shoeboxes can be taken to St James’ Church on Huddersfield Road between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday from November 1 to 5 If you are struggling to get them there phone Judith Powell West Yorkshire Regional Coordinator and Team Leader at the Meltham Shoebox Campaign on 07954 784317 and she’ll be able to help Put the items in the box and then wrap the bottom of the box and the top separately in Christmas paper and then pop an elastic band around it as every box needs to be opened and checked at the church It is then sealed before its journey to eastern Europe Add a piece of paper in the top saying if the gifts are for a boy or a girl and the age range which can be 3-5 People can pop a photo of themselves in too with their names so the children can see who has sent it The Meltham campaign now comes under a larger charity called T4U (Teams For You) set up in Wrexham In 2019 T4U sent 64,061 shoeboxes and 48,756 last year despite Covid Meltham Shoebox Campaign media officer Christopher Dronsfield said: “People can either fill shoeboxes all wrapped up for us or donate individual items or cash If your shoebox isn’t full then don’t worry as we can add things to it from our stocks “Our aim is to make a difference in the lives of children around the world who find themselves in desperate and hopeless situations “These gifts don’t fix the problems in their lives but they make a difference “Each box is just a gift to brighten their day and make them feel special We are all doing our best to give a child a reason to smile.” The shoeboxes go to the eastern European countries of Romania They go to children who have lost parents or been abandoned some who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict and those who face discrimination in their own countries and are forced to live on the outskirts of their societies READ MORE: Why lockdown dogs meant boom time for author Linda Whitwam In Belarus more than 20,000 children live as registered orphans and are cared for by the government in institutions that house between 100 and 150 children Many have additional physical or learning needs and few are ever adopted The project leader for shoeboxes in Romania said: “In 2020 I distributed over 10,000 shoebox gifts into dozens of towns and received thousands of smiles from children I’ve never known The joy hidden in these little colourful and sparkling gifts can only be told by the children who waited for them with expectation and emotion One boy even told me he thought his gift came directly from heaven.” The shoeboxes are packed into large cardboard boxes which contain about 12 shoeboxes each The large boxes are then loaded onto large lorries and taken to ports for transport across the North Sea The boxes then travel by road to their destination with T4U contacts in the countries making sure they get to the children who need them most * Written by former Huddersfield Examiner Head of Content ANDY HIRST who now runs his own Huddersfield-based agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases blogging and copywriting for business in Yorkshire and across the UK The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Posted by | Jul 19, 2023 | | 0 Lu’s Place in Meltham has won Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award for June 2023 Lu’s Place boasts an industrial yet stylish aesthetic and everyone is welcome including dog walkers dog and horse water troughs and a sheltered cycle store Planning permission was granted in 2019 and the groundworks began in 2020 The £1 million purpose-built café finally opened in March 2022 said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition and add this Business of the Month award to our collection which puts us as one of the 12 finalists for the next Business of the Year awards “It’s fair to say there’s nothing quite like Lu’s Place in our area and our multiple awards serve as validation of the unique experience we offer to our valued customers “Having witnessed the construction of Lu’s Place from the ground up it really is inspiring to see the business thrive as it does today “The success of Lu’s Place is a direct result of the unwavering commitment and abilities of everyone within the team and they should all be tremendously proud of this achievement.” said: “Lu’s Place are worthy winners of this month’s award “The judges were particularly impressed by their contribution to the local community and their focus on creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly business “Lu’s Place opened in March 2022 and has demonstrated impressive growth they thoroughly deserve recognition as our Business of the Month.” James Burgess chaired the judging panel and was joined by Richard Ralph (Foresight Group) Sarah Agar-Brennan (University of Huddersfield) Martin Hathaway (Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce) and Annie Bradley (Department of Business & Trade) You can apply for the Business of the Month Award at https://www.businessofthemonth.co.uk/