Announcements
You now need ID to vote
Bring your ID to vote
| You need to bring photographic ID to vote at polling stations for the local elections on 4 May 2023. For the first time, residents who are registered to vote across the country will be asked to show photo ID at the polling station before their ballot paper is issued. UK, Commonwealth and EEA passports and a range of other documents will be accepted. Visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id to see the full list. |
Don’t have anything on the list? Don’t worry…
| Anyone without an approved form of identification can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate free of charge from the Government website before 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023. For more information about voter ID or to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate . |
Voting by post
| Please note that this does not affect postal voters – you do not need photographic ID if you vote by post. If you are going to be away on polling day or would prefer not to visit a polling station in person, you can apply to vote by post before 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023. You can download a form from www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-post . |
Moved home recently?
| To have your say on the 4 May visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register at your new address before midnight on Monday 17 April 2023. You should expect to receive your poll card for the local elections on or around the 30 March unless you apply closer to the deadline. |
Need more local information or support
West Yorkshire recognised for providing welcoming and accessible healthcare services
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (WY HCP), (an integrated care system), was delighted to celebrate becoming the first Partnership of Sanctuary in the country. This is for going above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary into West Yorkshire.
To celebrate the occasion and find out more about what it means to be a Partnership of Sanctuary, dignitaries and other special guests including council leaders, people with lived experience and representatives from community organisations gathered at an event at The Art House in Wakefield on 16 March 2023.
The City of Sanctuary made the award following an assessment of the Partnership’s activities to provide safe, welcoming and accessible healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers.
Planning accessible, attractive and cleaner alternatives to car journeys in north and west Halifax
Find out about the updated proposals at these events throughout Calderdale
| Calderdale Next Chapter have updated the proposals based on feedback received in the recent consultation. This will be shared at these events: West Halifax proposals📅 Monday 20 March 2023 from 3pm to 7pm 📍 Elsie Whitely Innovation Centre, Halifax HX1 5ER. North Halifax proposals📅 Tuesday 28 March 2023 from 3pm to 7pm 📍 Forest Cottage Centre, Halifax HX2 8AD. If you can’t make it, you will be able to find out all the information on the updated proposals on the Next Chapter page for each project, from Monday 27 March 2023. 🔗 North Halifax Improved Streets for People 🔗 West Halifax Improved Streets for People#ThinkYouKnowHalifax |
| Drop in and see plans for Elland town centre Work is ongoing to transform Elland town centre with more than £6m of funding from the UK Government’s Future High Street Fund. The aim is to improve Elland and make it a more attractive place for people who live or work in or visit the town. This is an investment designed to deliver a thriving market town which is vibrant, safe and a great place to spend time.🔗 Go to Elland Future High Streets on Calderdale The Next Chapter to find out more about the project. The proposal will be shared for Elland on: 📅 Saturday 18 March 2023 from 10am to 5pm 📍 Southgate Methodist Church, Langdale Street, Elland, HX5 0JL. If you can’t make it, you can request a summary of proposals to be sent to you shortly after the event. Just email your request to thenextchapter@calderdale.gov.uk.#ThinkYouKnowElland |
Citizens Advice Calderdale are seeking to recruit trustees for their board
Citizens Advice Calderdale are seeking to recruit trustees for their board.
If you’d like to support this locally based charity then use the link below to read a description of the role.
https://calderdalecab.org.uk/join-our-trustee-board/ Click on the document to enlarge.
If you’re interested then email districtoffice@calderdalecab.org.uk for an informal chat.
The Great British Spring Clean
The Great British Spring Clean takes place from 17 March to 2 April. Attend a litter pick local to you and help make a difference. We hope to see you at one of the events!
Trainers needed to run family courses in Sure Start Children’s Centres
Sure Start Children’s Centres are looking for individuals or companies to run courses for our families! Do you have an activity course that is out of this world? An activity that will get them all off their feet? We would love to hear from you!
We are looking for trainers that can deliver courses and activities suitable to families with children aged 0-5 years old.
Please contact Diane Coenen on 01422 251090 for more information.
LIGHT UP OUR LIVES – Black African Culture & Heritage March 21st
LIGHT UP OUR LIVES – Black African Culture & Heritage
STORIES : SONG : DANCE : FASHION
LIGHT UP OUR LIVES – Black African Culture & Heritage
STORIES : SONG : DANCE : FASHION“If you do not know where you are from you cannot tell where you are going.”
The ‘Light Up Our Lives’ project is a unique and innovative intergenerational project with the aim of inspiring and empowering members of our Black African community here in Calderdale. We have been working with members of Light Up BAHC; learning the importance of cultural heritage in Black African nations. We now want to share that learning with you … to share with the wider community the beauty, reverence and joy of African traditions, identity and cultural expression.
Join us at The Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough Halifax on 21st March 2023 at 1 – 2.30PM
Join members of local charity LIGHT UP BAHC and children from Beech Hill and Holy Trinity Primary Schools for an uplifting celebration with verd de gris arts!
To book contact: Sharon Marsden 07907 822323 or Bola Adams 07550699459
Artwork by: MISKI
Join us as we share the art of traditional storytelling, dance, drumming and song, to learn more about Black African Heritage. We are bringing local children together with community members, and we want you to come and share with us in this exciting and uplifting production event.
LightUp Black and African Heritage Calderdale has one of its core aims to protect and safeguard African culture and heritage in Calderdale:
“As custodians of Black and African Culture and Heritage BAHC we want to find ways to commission African cultural and social events: to promote and raise the profile of the Black African community in the region, and facilitate a better understanding of African culture and heritage within other local communities. This will include developing ways to help shine light the multifarious aspects of individual countries and people’s culture from precolonial and colonial times.” Bola Adams, Director LIGHT UP BAHC
Verd de gris arts works to promote and celebrate cultural heritage in communities across the North of England. We are particularly interested in the ways in which cultural heritage can help minority / marginalised communities respond to community identity, racial intolerance, health and well-being inequalities, social and economic disadvantage.
To book contact: Sharon Marsden 07907 822323 or Bola Adams 07550699459
Keep up to date with other events as they happen by following our Facebook page Verd de gris arts and on Twitter and Instagram
Twitter @verddegris
Instagram @verddegris
Search Begins For Halifax Gala Queen
HALIFAX CALDER ROTARY CLUB are preparing to welcome teenagers from the Calderdale Borough to audition for the popular roles of Gala Queen & Attendant.
Young people who will be aged between 12 and 18 years on Gala Day (Saturday 10 June 2023) who are eager to promote the community and be a goodwill ambassador for the town will be invited to audition for the role.
Entrants will be judged on their personality and enthusiasm, and must live, work, or attend school in the Calderdale area. Previous holders of the prestigious title have been an integral part of community events, for example switching on Christmas lights, opening new buildings, and being invited as guests of honour to occasions at the theatre.
Halifax Charity Gala Queen 2022, Haleema Ghani, reflected on her experience, “I was incredibly lucky to be in an environment where you are surrounded by smiles, enthusiasm and support!” “I never thought I would actually be picked for it; but I am so grateful that I was. It was a day I will never forget.”
But despite previous connections to other competitions, the Gala Queen role is not a beauty pageant. Recent Gala Queens have been engaged with their local communities, the environment & the world around them, and want to make a positive difference in Calderdale. By becoming Gala Queen or the Attendant, they become ambassadors for the local area, so must be polite, courteous & respectful, as they meet & speak to a lot of different types of people.
Any young people interested in becoming The Gala Queen on Saturday 11th June should email galaqueen@halifaxgala.org.uk or call Elaine on 07960 770675 before Friday 14th April 2023.
Elaine Bowers, of Halifax Calder Rotary Club added, “This will be the sixth time we’ve had the honour of arranging the Gala Queen competition, a tradition which we’re proud to be keeping alive in Calderdale.”
“It’s now open to any young person, not just ‘girls’, and our selection focuses on what really matters – the personality of the individual, meaning that everyone who applies has a chance, no matter what their background, how pretty they are, who their friends are or whether they’re doing well in school or not.”
Haleema added, “I encourage everyone young person out there to leap out of your comfort zone and if you get the chance to be involved in the Gala, do it.”
And whilst the Rotarians are busy searching for Calderdale’s next ambassador, the countdown is on until the borough’s most successful not-for-profit annual family event returns to Manor Heath with entertainers, burgers, dancers, chicken, adventurous activities, pop-up cafés, arts, cold drinks, animals, fairgrounds, magicians, charity stalls and a whole lot more.
Advance tickets for the Halifax Charity Gala go on sale in May online at www.halifaxgala.org.uk or from local shops.
They are just £2 each admitting 1 adult or 2 children until 31st May, or £3 until 10th June. On the day, they’re £6 per adult, £3 per child / OAP / concession, or £15 for a family ticket (admitting 2 adults & up to 3 children), with under 5s admitted free of charge.
This year will see Halifax Charity stage their 65th event, which takes places on the 2nd Saturday of June in Manor Heath Park, raising money for over 50 good causes that benefit the people of Calderdale.
More details can be found at www.halifaxgala.org.uk
Friday Night Live – International Women’s Day Special at Square Chapel on Friday 10th March
Friday 10th March – Doors at 19:00
Ticket just £5+ booking fee – https://squarechapel.co.uk/shows/friday-night-live-international-womens-day-special-hayleys-big-little-band-molly-gaskell-megan/
Friday Night Live Celebrates International Women’s Day 2023 with some of our local and inspiring female artists. We’re proud to provide equal opportunities for women all year round but recognise the challenges female musicians face within the music industry.
Let’s come together and show support for our incredible women in music.
Ella Playford – is a well established versatile musician from West Yorkshire. Her impeccable songwriting skills combine with a powerful voice and intricate guitar lines to create compositions which are pleasing to the ear and leave the listener wanting more.
Megan Hardaker – is a local singer with a golden voice. Drawing inspiration from the like of Joni Mitchell and Julia Jacklin she puts her own acoustic twist on classics as well as showcasing her own music producing pure ear candy.
Molly Gaskell – is a singer and guitarist from Halifax who plays covers and originals.
She puts her own spin on songs ranging from No Doubt to Amy Winehouse and especially Lady Gaga. Gaskell’s performances are fun, quirky and soulful.
Hayley’s Little Big Band – breathes life into classic jazz and blues numbers, celebrating such legends as Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. This Sowerby Bridge based trio features Hayley Doherty on vocals, Geoff Nemec on acoustic guitar and Persia Babayan-Taylor on double bass.
Grants of up to £5,000 Available through the Todmorden Wind Farm Fund
The Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) is working with Blackmead Infrastructure to provide grants of up to £5,000 for projects that benefit the communities of Bacup, Cornholme and Portsmouth, Todmorden and Walsden. Steve Duncan, CEO of CFFC explained, “We are particularly looking to fund environmental projects, projects combating fuel poverty, project supporting vulnerable local people, and community projects. These grants can also cover running costs such as salaries and core costs.”
Grant applications need to be submitted by 23rd March 2023 and to find out more information and apply, please visit https://cffc.co.uk/todmorden-windfarm-community-fund/
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 