SWITCHED ON......

Christmas is pretty picturesque in Hebden Bridge. I could pretend this picture is me and fellow Labour councillor Janet Oosthuysen talking politics but in fact the two of us joined forces to switch on the Christmas lights in town yesterday. In my hand is a microphone ( which didn't work) and carol sheet . Janet did an excellent job handing out the swets and satsumas to the kids ( guess which went first....) The weather was freezing but we had a brass band in Victorian dress, the square was packed and it was all very jolly.
Those of you who live locally note that a week tonight is my fund-raising night for Overgate Hospice at Il Mulino and tickets are now on sale at the Town Council offices....More pics on the Hebweb.....

THE BATTLE OF GARDEN STREET......

It's not very often that Hebden Bridge is in the national papers - and when it is it is usually some twee little piece about house prices . But today's Independent outlines the massive opposition to the Garden Street development. Along with hundreds of others I will be at tomorrow's planning meeting in Calderdale to make the case against this development.

Given the economic climate, what's actually needed in this town is new social housing - NOT more executive apartments

ON PARADE

While Labour activists were choosing their PPC yesterday, the rest of Hebden Bridge was having fun. Before beetling off to Halifax did manage though to head up the Hand Made Parade which launched the World On Your Doorstep Festival - carrying on today. I attach photo which seriously illustrates that there probably is nowhere else in England quite like Hebden Bridge.......in case you're wondering, I'm the one in the pink mac.
Photo credit: Chris Ratcliffe, Hebweb

NOT BRASSED OFF.....

Apologies for not blogging earlier on but today recovering from Mayor-making last night in Mytholmroyd. Thanks to Hebden Bridge Junior Band for saving the day and practising all afternoon to learn Jerusalem. Which as we know is not just the theme tune of the WI but William Blake's socialist poem. Thanks also to Father Gott for his sterling work behind the bar and mt friends and family for making it a great evening . Only low point was standing at bus stop in sub-zero temperatures in desperate bid to escape drunken antics of woman demanding my dad should sing rebel songs. And tonight my first engagement.........the singularly apt attendance at Calamity Jane . Just waiting for the pics.....Update: Thanks to Alison for the great pictures......

I JEST NOT......

Humankind, as T S Eliot said, cannot bear very much reality. And sometimes you need something to bring a smile to your face. Which certainly happened this lunchtime as a posse of jesters descended on Hebden Bridge for a "jester's moot." A moot, for the uninitiated, is a gathering. And kids piled in to the Town Hall as a motley crew clowned around for the benefit of the TV cameras and the people of the town. The results should be on ITV'sCalendar tonight. Here'smy world exclusive pic of the events in St George's Square.

WE GOT THERE FIRST......

Where Hebden Bridge leads, London follows! Amused ( and slightly annoyed) to note that today's big news in the Independent is the fact our capital city could soon be a plastic bag-free zone. Tiny Hebden Bridge took this step TWO MONTHS AGO.
If pressed, the co-op now has bags under the counter but also seels bio-degrardables for 5pence and everyone in the twon got their own eco-friendly shopping bag in a movebacked financially by the Town Council.
Still, well done to the 33 authorities in the London Councils group voted for legislation to prevent shops in the capital handing out free plastic bags. In the next fortnight Westminster Council will present a private Bill to the House of Commons which would apply to every London shop, as the Independent says, " from the humblest newsagent to Harrods."

IN SHARP CONTRAST....

This morning to Mayor's Civic Reception ( for my sins I am Deputy) which was a very pleasant occasion with cause for one or two wry smiles. Our Mayor is a Liberal Democrat but this is Hebden Bridge where all kinds of strange things happen......expect the unexpected. Hence the service in the local school was a humanist one, the local brass band played the Marseilaise, and we sang a song called Solidarity Forever ( to the tune of John Brown's Body..) and finished off with Woody Guthrie's socialist anthem. This Land Is Your Land. Hence also no national anthem...... which caused much huffing and puffing from one or two Tory dignitaries.
And a sharp observation from one of my Labour colleagues that the whole event was far to the left of what our lot would probably come up with . Except of course, in Hebden Bridge. Where next year I hope to have the Tories singing the Red Flag or possibly the Internationale.....with the local parish priest ( a Labour Party member) joining in.