Dec
Lower Valley Friday Flyer 31 December 2020 – OUT NOW!!
Click here to view the latest Lower Valley Friday Flyer…
This week:
- Community Thank You notes for 2020
- Virtually Well sung, online community singing group launching
- Christmas and New Year waste and recycling collection dates
- Calderdale Council help to recipients of free school meals
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing calderdalelowervalley@gmail.com
You can also contact us on 01422 252 209
Season’s Greetings as we see the year out
Note from the editor
Undoubtedly you’ve read this far too many times already, Ctrl+V here: It has been an unprecedented year and for many it was felt most prominently during the festive season.
There were no Christmas fayres, no Christmas markets, no switching on of lights, not even the last minute rush to the shops for gifts… wait, did anyone miss that?
I won’t try to sugarcoat it. Many have missed family gatherings, some couldn’t even see their immediate family.
Yet possibly, this year more than ever helped alleviate the pressures of Christmas preparation, the shopping frenzy, hours of cooking and cleaning, instead brought us in touch with the essence of the day, which I always felt should be about being with those who matter to us the most.
So how was Christmas for you?
I consider myself fortunate this year. Family, work and coronavirus restrictions aside, I was lucky to be able to spend Christmas with my immediate family, a gathering of five of us, a luxury I understand many will have missed this year.
Ironically, the year before, different restrictions saw me by myself on Christmas day. I am thankful for that experience for personal reasons, especially in realising I can afford to say this because I have not been completely isolated for long periods.
For those of you that loneliness is your everyday life, you may want to reach out. There are several places and organisations that may be able to assist you.
Our very own Staying Well Telephone befriending service is one of these.
Money has been tight all around, yet as I suspect many of us have already discovered, after spending so long at home and actually going through what we have amassed, we don’t want for much. Or at least, I wish you don’t find yourselves lacking.
Again, if you find yourselves in a difficult position, please reach out. Provisions and help can be made available.
At my home, the presents we exchanged were items of food, you know those treats you always pass by on the shelves thinking they’re for a special time. We made this time now. We figured, food will be enjoyed, trinkets will accumulate. But wait, knick knacks there were too : rediscovered treasures, cherished stuff that I had been saving for special occasions and never actually got around to using. Such were the gifts that I received and loved every single one of them.
Cards? Homemade. From old cuttings of past cards or Christmas cracker papers. I knew I was saving them for a reason! And yes, I gave some to friends and relatives too. Many I did not. I liked them so much I couldn’t part with them!
With shameless pride I share some of the pictures of my endeavours and if you have any of your own, please pass them on!
There are tons of ideas out there, none as good as those that will come from you.
Home decorations were made from old cardboard boxes, with generous helpings of glitter.
There was food, slightly less than previous years, which is a good thing!
And yes, kids made a heap of wrapping paper on the floor – yes, some shopping was done. But we played games, actually laughed and sang carols… I can’t remember when we did that last!
So yes, a thrifty Christmas, without trawling the shops, physical or online, in search for the perfect mindful gift. Yet somehow this felt more fulfilling, more gratifying and more opulent than many past Christmases.
Not wanting to spring it, this ties in with something that the entire team at NHP are planning for the new year. As it is something I support with a passion even, I especially look forward to the New Year!
I hope you had a great Christmas. I hope you have a fab New Year’s Eve and a better New Year!
And if not, don’t stress about it. It’d be great if it’s magical like in the songs and movies but if it isn’t, it’s just one day of the many ahead of us.
See you all soon. Let’s hope it will be face to face.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisation.
Message from West Yorkshire Police on burglary prevention
Burglaries can often increase during the longer darker nights in the autumn and winter months.
Crime prevention doesn’t have to cost a lot of money – taking simple measures such as locking your doors and windows, not leaving valuables on display and using your alarm can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim.
Here’s some simple steps that everyone can take to improve their home security:
• Always lock your doors and windows even when you are at home
• Always take the key out of the lock and keep it in a safe place – do not leave keys in reach of the letterbox, a cat flap, or on view through a window.
• Invest in timer light switches, and set lights to come on and go off in your home – using low energy light bulbs or utilise smart devices.
• Make sure items such as car keys, laptops, tablets, phones and money cannot be seen through a window.
• Make sure Euro cylinder locks have achieved – TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312).
• Why not start a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area?
In Calderdale all residential burglaries are investigated by a team of CID detectives, but prevention is always better than the cure. Our teams will be out targeting offenders and delivering crime prevention events across the autumn period.
This year West Yorkshire Police have developed a home security toolkit. This can be accessed online on the below link. If you would like it in an alternative format please contact us.
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/advice/home-security
You can keep up to date with the latest news and alerts from West Yorkshire Police by signing up to West Yorkshire Community Alert. Public registration is free and people can choose to receive news and appeals, local crime information and/or prevention advice direct via email, text or voice message. Sign up today at:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/west-yorkshire-community-alert
If you have information about those that are criminally active you can pass that information to us by the following methods:
• Online – www.westyorkshire.police.uk/report-it
• Telephone – 999 for a crime in progress or there is a risk to life. 101 for Non emergencies
• 100% anonymously via the charity CrimeStoppers – 0800 555111
Please find enclosed some useful crime prevention information and help us to keep you safe.
Introducing Calderdale NPT Inspectors
We are the Crime Prevention Officers responsible for Calderdale. We offer a FREE Crime Prevention Security advice service. We are happy to attend your premises and bespoke the survey to your particular needs.
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to being a burglary victim when it only takes a few adjustments to secure your property without costing £1000s.
Simply locking your doors, even when at home and setting your alarm even if you are just popping out and when you go to bed, will increase your chances of not being a victim of this crime.
For a FREE home survey please contact fa.crimeprevention@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or alternatively contact
Tracy on 07736 087199. (Answer machine facility).
We work Monday to Friday and always respond to messages.
Tracy and Jill
Disability Partnership Calderdale newsletter Update 31 December 2020
Disability Partnership Calderdale have released an addition to their latest newsletter with details of the coronavirus situation in Calderdale. Read about the restrictions and what will be operational under the current Tier.
Virtually Well sung, online community singing group launching
Do you love to sing?
Virtually Well Sung is a new online community singing group that starts on the 15th of January for 8 weeks and you are welcome to join!
No auditions, no previous experience needed and you don’t need to read music! It’s a Fun and Informal virtual gathering you can join from the comfort of your home.
Find out how singing can help your general wellbeing!
Sessions start on January 15th 2021 and they will be running each Friday from 1.30pm – 2.30pm for 8 weeks.
If interested, email lessons@melodyroadmusic.co.uk for more information.
NHP Annual General Meeting – 20 Jan 2021
We’re working towards our vision of a better future for all generations.
Find out more at our Annual General Meeting on North Halifax Partnership AGM; 6pm on Wednesday 20 January 2021
If you’d like to join us to look back over the year 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, and to share our plans for the future, please contact Kim.Connell@nhpltd.org.uk , who will send you an invitation to our first virtual AGM .
In the meantime, click here for some pictures and numbers from our world before the pandemic.
No matter how awful 2020 has been (and at times it really has) its certainly been a fantastic year for community involvement and volunteering. Across Calderdale more people than ever have been looking out for their neighbours, helping out the vulnerable and finding new ways to reach out and support strangers in their communities.
Our NHP annual awards celebrations were sadly not able to go ahead this year due to the COVID19 situation but our NHP Community Thank You has seen around 80 people sending personal messages of gratitude to one another via our Friday Flyers and community blogs.
Not an NHP member? Our most important members are the residents of North Halifax and YOU can join them! Click here to join.
Calderdale News snippets
The following excerpts are some of the local council updates.
Ginkgo seeds update
Seeds were sent in November from the Mayor of Hiroshima to Hebden Royd Town Council, part of the Mayors for Peace initiative as a symbol of peace across the world in the 75th anniversary year of the bombing of his city and Nagasaki.
Ginkgo seeds represent renewal and growth to the Japanese and I think after this year they will to us too. Thank you to all the people involved in nurturing our seeds especially Jack and his team and would like to pass on our gratitude. We have now had germination of 14 seedlings which is just under half of the seeds planted. The young seedlings are coming on great with some reaching to nearly 5-6” already. The others are still looking healthy so they shouldn’t be too much longer behind with their germination.
Coronavirus initiatives
Neighbourhood Community wardens, staff from Halifax Central Initiative and Cllr Jenny Lynn have been out and about in Skircoat, Pellon and Park Ward this week engaging with communities and having conversations with members of the community about staying safe from Covid.
We have been listening to what local residents have to say and providing guidance and information on how best to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe, local restrictions over the Christmas period as well as providing advice and sign posting around Covid related questions.
Neighbourhood Community wardens have also been involved in distributing masks within the community at local schools engaging with parents and carers and visiting local shops and businesses.
Community Thank You notes for 2020
It’s been an unprecedented year and many may feel that the sooner it’s gone, the better.
Yet in all that’s taken place, there have been glimmers of hope, gestures of kindness and acts that have touched us that should not be forgotten.
The community Thank You initiative wanted to highlight all of this. We have received an overwhelming response, evidencing much of the good that has been done and as promised, we posted it on our online blogs.
You can read each and every thank you note that we have received below.
There have certainly been more acts of kindness that may not feature here but their good effects have been felt, rest assured. To all of these silent contributors, a Thank You from us all.
Also a great big thank you to each and every one of you from everyone here. You keep us going and by every single tiny thing you do, you help us get through this.
Have a Happy New Year!
Thank You Notes received
To: Vicky McGhee
Thank You for believing in Us…and keeping Us feeling positive during uncertain times
From: Karen Scanlon
To: Chris Harvey
Chris Harvey is volunteer and committee member with Memory Lane Cafe and has helped local people with dementia throughout the coronavirus by using Facebook and the internet to organise online quizzes, musical bingo, singalongs and coordinated volunteers to deliver activities and games, shopping.
From: Julie Ingham
To: Lynne Caldwell and Joan Tillotson at The Paddock Community Garden
A huge thank you to Joan and Lynne for their vision, perseverance and commitment to provide a community garden for the people of Ovenden, bringing people together and growing food for local people, especially during these challenging times! A fabulous idea has been brought to life by a fabulous pair of ladies – thank you so much.
To: Dave and Liz at the Fountain Head Community Pub
A massive shout out to Liz and Dave at the Fountain Head Community Pub for supporting the local community during the Coronavirus pandemic, providing friendship, support and food to those in need. Also for their hard work and vision to bring the community together and provide a much needed community space at the Fountain Head. Thank you for all you do!
From: Natalie Ratner
To: Amy Powell-Bevan
A huge thank you to Amy for all her support for the community when doing litter picks during this very challenging time. She has continued to provide an efficient and reliable service and helped to ensure community litter picks have been COVID secure. Thank you also for being so friendly and enthusiastic – we really appreciate it!
To: Sharma -Costcutters Illingworth
Thank you for everything you do for the North Halifax Community Not just selling Food /Holding competitions for children /Raffles/Food parcels /Looking out for vulnerable members of the community and packed lunches for children the list is endless also having the time to encourage and supporting other local business YOU ARE STARS
From: Karen
To: Gail Crabtree
Congratulations to Gail Crabtree (Children’s Centre Manager) for her 30 years service with North Halifax Partnership and Calderdale Council. A huge thank you from the NHP Board, Gail for all your years of passion, enthusiasm and commitment to working with children and Families, it has been truly appreciated and long may it continue!
To: Morrisons and Noahs Ark
Morrisons supermarket really stepped up in the community by feeding the nation with there donations to feed the nation , Andrew Sykes from Noahs ArK Centre working along side morrisons he was fantastic with donations making sure no one went with out food during covid and again now in lockdown he his working hard repeating the food donations
From: Julie Baimbridge
To: Community Gymnastics- Hailey and Sarah
Thank you Hailey Dundavan for getting this started and keeping it going through lockdowns and holidays! Big thanks to Sarah Duffin for all you do to support Hailey too.
To: Natalie Ratner and Jamie Lister
Thank you both for your help and encouragement and all your help and advice with starting the “ Paddock- Community Garden”
From: Joan and Lynne
To: Dawn Edwards
Dawn ensured that all the pupils at Dean Field School received their free school meal vouchers each week during lockdown. She went above and beyond for the school.
From: Fiona Pether
To: Loraine Stansfield
Loraine made sure that children received food parcels, clothing and other items like school work packs each week. She delivered them all by hand in the school mini bus and kept everyone going!
From: Fiona Pether
To: Vicky Mitchell
Vicky kept our school open, safe and clean all through lockdown and beyond. She is a superstar!
From: Fiona Pether
To: All the Teachers at Dean Field School
Thank you to all the teachers at Dean Field for their commitment to the pupils of North Halifax and Dean Field
From: Fiona Pether
To: Paul Holdsworth (Hub cafe Threeways)
A huge thank you for stepping up and volunteering your time and using your café space (when your business had to close)to provide much needed emergency food support to the North Halifax Community. NHP have really enjoyed working with you and have appreciated your partnership working in helping us to support our community and long may it continue
From: Tina Burke (Chief Executive, North Halifax Partnership)
To: Andrew Sykes and the staff team at noah’s Ark
NHP would like to say a big thank you to all of you at Noah’s Ark for your support to NHP around emergency food provision and debt support for the North Halifax community, the partnership working has been greatly appreciated and we think you are doing a fantastic job, long may our work together continue.
From: Tina Burke (Chief Executive, North Halifax Partnership)
To: District Nurse Team in North
Thank you to the Community Matrons working across North Halifax for the vital caring role you undertake in our community every day. And thank you for taking the time to work with the local partnership especially during these most challenging times.
From: The Local Covid Partnership
To: Everyone at North Halifax Partnership
Thank you to all of you for being so welcoming and patient with me when I first started! I really do appreciate it and I am so grateful for everyone’s kindness!
From: Heather Bentley
To: The OMI team
Thank you for welcoming me and believing in me. Following your work, especially during these challenging times was very inspiring. I admire your motivation, ingenuity and sheer gumption. Proud to be a part of this team!
From: Georgia Oikonomidou
To: North Halifax PCN Wellness Hub
As a newly formed team I think you’re all doing fantastic!
To: Peter Robinson
A huge thank you to Peter for all his hard work, passion and perseverance in making Lee Mount and Shroggs Park a fantastic place for residents and visitors alike! We hope you know how appreciated you are.
To: Paul Emmett
Thank you Paul for your passion and vision to improve Lee Mount as a community and to make it a great place to be! We’re lucky to have you!
To: Mandy O’Shea
Mandy, where do you get all that energy from?! Thank you for your passion for the Mixenden community, for bringing people together, and your vision to make Mixenden a fantastic place for all the community! We’re lucky to have you x
To: Mrs Turner and all Bradshaw School Staff
Thank you all for your hard work to keep the children, staff and families as safe as possible whilst keeping the school open.
You’re all doing an amazing job in a difficult, unprecedented year.
The children and families appreciate all you are doing. Thank you and keep safe!
To: Mrs Pether and all the staff at Dean Field Primary
Thanks to outstanding leadership from Mrs Pether and the dedication of all staff, they have kept the Dean Field children safe and happy throughout this year despite the many challenges that just keep on coming. The communication with parents has been timely, honest and supportive, and it is so clear they have the children’s best interests at heart.
From: Sarah Gledhill
To: Hailey Dundavan and Sarah Duffin
Thank you so much to Hailey and Sarah for persevering in the most difficult of circumstances to get the Community Gymnastics club back up and running after the disaster in March. I know you’ve made sacrifices for this, and we appreciate it so much. It has been a much needed element of normality in our girls’ lives, some fun and exercise to get those endorphins flowing. You’re amazing!
From: Sarah Gledhill
To: the Staying Well Team, North Halifax
Many thanks for this card and the one that came in the post with the tea sachet and wild flower seeds.
From: Anita
Calderdale Council help to recipients of free school meals
Calderdale Council have secured additional funding to help families receiving Free School meals, Housing Benefit or Council tax reduction with bills and food over the months of January and February.
The Winter Grant is supplied from the Department of Work and Pensions.
A letter has been sent from Calderdale Council, offering instructions on how to receive this support.
For questions on this, please contact Calderdale Council on 01422 288001 or visit the council’s website: www.calderdale.gov.uk
Well and Merry festive wishes from Curious Motion
Curious Motion turned one year old on the 9th December, and what a first year it has been!
It certainly didn’t turn out how we had imagined, but thanks to our brilliant Curious Motion family we found our way through and also discovered new things. Connecting with you all has been one of my highlights. Below you’ll find a little round up of some of the wonderful projects you’ve supported us with this year – thank you.
I hope you are managing as well as possible at this very challenging and continually shifting time. You are in our thoughts and we wish you a time of rest, peace and recovery.
Do remember that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, there’s some information on support at the bottom of this email.
Wishing you all a peaceful and healthy Christmas, and a New Year filled with love and hope. We are dreaming of the day when we’ll be safely together again, sharing in joy and laughter.
Special ‘Well and Merry’ Deliveries
This is all thanks to your generous donations and our brilliant team who supported us in September’s Move the Calderdale Way challenge. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated, and to Active Calderdale and Voluntary Action Calderdale for the opportunity.
Finale of Curious e-Motion podcast series 1 out now!
What a journey it’s been! I’ve been chatting to some wonderful friends of Curious Motion about all things arts, culture, and wellbeing. Huge thanks to everyone who has listened so far and to our brilliant guests.
Don’t worry we don’t give anything away about the show, #keepthesecrets!
More info on series 2 to come in January!
£1305 raised for Brews & Grooves!
Wow! Huge thanks to everyone who donated to our recent Local Giving campaign to help us re-establish Brews & Grooves in-person next year!
A shout out to everyone for their support in general with our Zoom classes this year too – it’s been a huge journey, changing how we work so suddenly and jumping headfirst into working in a brand-new way. I’m so grateful for your courage in navigating this with me.
Brews & Grooves will return in 2021 via Zoom to start with:
12th January – 16th February (6 weeks)
Book your place HERE if you’d like to join us.
Sam recommends…
Make a joy jar – write down things that give you joy on separate pieces of paper. Roll them up and pop them in a jar (or any container) and put somewhere you often spend time. Whenever you feel the need, pull one out and have a read – sit with it for a minute or two and really absorb what you’ve written.
A relaxing Christmas scene – an hour of beautiful Christmas animation and music to help you relax. There are lots of these available on YouTube – from cosy crackling fires to bright morning scenes. Great for sleep and daydreaming!
Information & Support this winter
If you need someone to talk to, there is support available 24/7:
Samaritans: 116 123
CALM: 0800 58 58 58
Young Minds: text YM to 85258
Mind: 0300 123 3393
To read more about the features, visit the Curious Motion website
