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.....

POETRY IN MOTION

Tonight to Ted Hughes Festival closing ceremony. Wish I could have attended more events but clashing political engagements ruled it out, It is such a refeshing thing to escape the wrangling of Labour Party life . Well done to all who made it happen and will do my best to support via local council.

THE GNOMON......

Tomorrow I have the joy of unveiling the gnomon - a contentious bit of sculpture which is being installed in St George's Square. The one-tonne sculpture of a “fustian knife”, will also serve as a giant sundial gnomon (shadow caster) in the pedestrianised area.Fustian knives were used in the manufacture of corduroy, a fabric for which Hebden Bridge used to be very famous. Some are already saying it does not look like a knife but, rather, er, a male virility symbol. I could not possibly comment but the public will see this in all its glory tomorrow. Here is a sneak preview

NOT QUITE CRICKET

Things are not auguring well for the Cricket Fun Day later today. The skies are grey, it's rained in the night. So warm coat and woollen dress it is rather than the chintzy frock option . Cricket has never been my thing - was once dragged to Lord's for a one-day game but that's about it. But today's bash is to raise money for the local cricket club and the Mayor, of course, gets an invite. It's a John Major fantasy event complete with warm beer , sandwiches and lots of ladies of a certain age on bicycles. Robin Hood fantasists ( more a Guy of Gisborne girl myself) can content themselves with a spot of archery and it's also a chance for me to practise making speeches. Not much political perspective one can latch onto for this one frankly but sometimes it's nice to forget politics for a day and revel in rather less painful Midsomer Murders territory ( hopefully without any deaths)UPDATE: The loudhailer was a bit iffy, not all the teams wore whites, but excellent atmosphere and great communirty spirit. Shame that on getting home I had to delete a comment from some nasty person suggesting , to put it politely, I have a drink problem. Actually, the beer tent did run out. For the record, I had four halves of locally-brewed bitter.

SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE

I have had better weeks..... but sometimes you just have to get a grip and be positive. I'm about to rack brains for ideas for a food magazine then I'm off to see Town Clerk and finalise plans for our Mayor Making on Wednesday May 14. It's in the local Catholic church which doubles up as a community centre and my plan is to make up for absence of 50th birthday party last year and make it a bit of a celebration of Labour's standing in the local community. Which is largely down to the fact we are NOT, nor ever have been, New Labour. Indeed, we now have three LRC town councillors.......

My family are coming over from Manchester plus friends and comrades from across the region. There will be brass band music (I hope) , a few speeches, then food and drinks afterwards. I warn Liberal Democrats who read this blog that I might just include a rendition of the Red Flag - words will be provided...... The parish priest, by the way, is a Party member