December 2011

New Years Day Walk on Marsden Moor

Blow out the cobwebs with a guided walk on Marsden Moor

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Published December 28, 2011, in Events

What better way to welcome in 2012 than taking a bracing stroll on Marsden Moor.

“No way!” I hear you cry “You can’t fool me! I’ve seen An American Werewolf in London, there are all kinds of lycanthropic monsters up on those moors!”

Ah well, as we all know you’re only in danger if you stray from the path. And the best way to keep the path is to get someone who knows what they are doing to show you the way.

The National Trust are putting on a medium difficulty 5 mile guided walk suitable for families. There is even a “Trusty Trail” for kids to follow. I have no idea what a “Trusty Trail” is mind you, but I’m pretty sure it’s nothing to do with werewolfs and that’s the main thing.

If you would like to go on the 3 hour long guided walk meet at Marsden Railway Station at 10am on Sunday the 1st of January 2012.

Please wear sturdy boots and warm clothes, bring waterproofs and any drinks and refreshments you may want (I’d take some silver bullets too – just in case). Booking is not required.

You can see details of the walk on the National Trust events page

Photo by Jim Grady. used under the Creative Commons license.

A Note on Slawit.org Editorial Policy

A clarification about what this site will cover in the wake of recent tragic events in Slaithwaite

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Published December 22, 2011, in Editorial

After quite a bit of reflection on what direction I wish this site to take I have decided that I will not be covering news items such as the body recently found in the River Colne.

There are two reasons for this:

Firstly I do not consider myself a journalist, and do not have the resources, skills, or contacts to cover stories such as this with the appropriate rigour, timeliness and sensitivity that such tragic events require. The reporters at The Examiner are far better suited to that.

Secondly my intention is for Slawit.org to be a source of information and news about things that directly involve/effect the community. As more information about the death of the individual emerges there may be issues arise surrounding the incident that would be appropriate to examine here. However I feel at this moment in time any coverage of the incident on this site could be seen as insensitive gossip and sensationalism.

Do you have any views on this issue? What approach to news such as this do you feel would be appropriate to take on this site? Feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via the contact page.

Help Wanted with Colne Valley’s Little Book of Poems

Contributions wanted for local charity book of poetry

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Published December 18, 2011, in News

Hot on the heels of the children’s book published in aid of Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels comes a new Colne Valley literary fund raising project.

Local volunteer Jenni Smith-Wignall is putting together a “Little Book of Poems” in order to raise funds for Kirkwood Hospice and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Jenni says:

The book will include poems of uplifting and inspirational times, things and moments. The idea is not just to sell the book to raise money but to give something permanent that family members can keep to be inspired and remember their loved ones.

If you would like to contribute towards or help with The Little Book of Poems you can email Jenni at little_book_of_ poems@hotmail.co.uk or go and visit the project’s facebook page.

And just so you know I put my money where my mouth is, here’s my own contribution:

There was a young man from Slawit
Who’s kid consumed more than some cows ‘et
He gave him a bun.
To fill up his tum
But the young kid from Slawit woun’t eat it.

Simon Armitage eat your heart out. I shall expect my OBE for services to charity to be announced in the New Years honours list.

Photo by Pankaj. Used under the Creative Commons License.

Christmas Carols in Slaithwaite

A quick guide to the carol services and concerts happening in Slaithwaite this Christmas.

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Published December 17, 2011, in Events

There’s few things that get me in the festive spirit more than Christmas carols, and there are plenty of services and concerts going on in Slaithwaite to pick from:

Slaithwaite Methodist Church’s carol service is being held tomorrow (Sunday 18th December) at 2:30pm and will feature Slaithwaite Brass Band and Dr Maria Wybrew.

Slaithwaite Brass Band will be playing again on the 18th, this time in a two hour concert at their bandroom starting at 8pm.

And at St James Parish Church on Christmas Eve there will be carols by candlelight starting at 6pm (again with Slaithwaite Brass Band, those guys sure get around).

Midnight Mass at St James Parish Church starts at 11:30pm on the 24/12/11 and their Christmas Day family communion starts at 10am.

No doubt there are other services and events going on in the area, however these are the ones I know of. If i’ve left any out let me know via the Contact Page and I’ll update the site.

Volunteers Asked to Take Over Running of Slaithwaite Library

Kirklees cuts may mean no more paid librarians at Slaithwaite library

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Published December 13, 2011, in News

In more depressing public sector cuts related news, Kirklees council announced last month that they have plans for Slaithwaite library to be run by volunteers rather than paid librarians.

There are also plans to hand over six other Kirklees libaries to unpaid volunteers, including Golcar.

The Kirklees cabinet member responsible for resources, Clr Shabir Pandor, was quoted in The Examiner saying:

There have been some rumours that libraries will close. Thats not the case no libraries are going to close.

We’ve got massive cuts but were going to be involving the community to help us deliver the service.

We want people to shape their services for their local community because the needs of somewhere like Batley will be different to somewhere like Denby Dale.

It all smells a little wiffy to me, and you’ll have a hard time convincing me that it’s going to be a positive move. But a volunteer run library is better than no library – especially for those without cars to get to the libraries at Marsden, Meltham,or Huddersfield.

According to the Yorkshire Post Kirklees has said that there will be consultations and community engagement events regarding the proposed changes. I’ve not been able to find any details of these, but I’ll post them here as soon as I do.

Have you any opinions on the proposed changes to the library?

Photo by Library_mistress. Used under Creative Commons License.

Snow on Meal Hill

Photo by David Sugden

By:
Published December 12, 2011, in Pictures

Click photo to enlarge.

Used under Creative Commons license.

Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels Branch Out into Publishing

New children's book published in aid of Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels service.

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Published December 12, 2011, in Features

Not content with their televisual fame on the recent Hairy Bikers TV show, the ladies behind Slaithwaite’s Meals on Wheels service are putting out a children’s book.

Granny Splash and Walter Blue Wellies by Pam Wilkinson and Marsden artist Stephanie Bertenshaw is:

The story of a old lady and her wish to go outside and play in the rain and snow, but struggles to do so because she only wears slippers. So after buying some lovely new blue wellington boots, she soon discovers that even wellies have fears! But together they can overcome them and at the same time make a lovely friendship that lasts forever.

The book includes art from children at Wilberlee School and all profits will go to support Slaithwaite Meals on Wheels – a volunteer led community group that takes fresh, home cooked food to local elderly people every Wednesday.

You can buy a copy of Granny Splash and Walter Blue Wellies for a mere £5 here.

Ideas Wanted for Slaithwaite Spa Event

The Friends of Slaithwaite Spa are asking for suggestions for for their May event.

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Published December 10, 2011, in Events

Friends of Slaithwaite Spa are asking for suggestions and opinions on their upcoming event on the 5th of May 2012. There have been some great ideas already suggested:

One proposal is for a ‘Market Day’ event with perhaps a medieval or Victorian theme. The layout could form a simple cross-roads with stalls and displays under gazebo cover lining the ‘streets’, 3m x 3m gazebo plots being available for hire We envisage street entertainment by ‘busking’ musicians, jugglers etc in period dress. We wish to involve local businesses, organisations and institutions as well as individuals in planning and running the event.

Now I don’t know about anyone else, but the idea of a Medieval fair sounds pretty awesome to me, especially if there is a pig roast.

Mmmmm crispy roasted pig…

Slaithwaite Spa is a bit of a forgotten gem in the Colne Valley, and anything to boost the visibility of this historic and once extremely popular recreation and beauty spot can only be a good thing.

You can fill in a quick and easy questionnaire on the Friends of Slaithwaite Spa website

Photo by Andrew Michael. Used under Creative Commons license.

Services to be Cut at Slaithwaite Sure Start Centre

Kirklees Council planning to scale back Sure Start centre in Slaithwaite.

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Published December 8, 2011, in News

Kirklees council claim that due to cuts in funding from the Govenment’s spending review they are having to review the services of Sure Start centres throughout Kirklees.

Sure Start centres provide a range of advice and support for parents and carers of pre-school children.

While the council are keen to point out that non of the 32 centres in the area will close, they are planning on reducing the level of services offers by 17 Sure Start centre’s, including Slaithwaite’s. These 17 services will become “associate centres” attached to other nearby “lead centres” (in Slathwaites case the Sure Starts in Golcar, Cowersley and Milnsbridge).

It’s unknown as yet exactly which aspects of services at Slaithwaite will be lost, but the council have stated they intend for associate centres to focus on early interventions, but that other support may be available depending on need and demand.

For more information on the proposed changes and to engage in the consultation process you can visit the Review of family support and children’s centre services page on the Kirklees Council website. You can also find details on attending one of the information events regarding the changes which are to be held over December and January. The Colne Valley event will be held at 2:00pm on 13/12/11.

The council state that no final decisions will be made until the consultation process is over.

Have you used the Sure Start center in Slaithwaite? Do you have any views on the proposals?

Photo by D Sharon Pruitt. Used under Creative Commons license

Slaithwaite’s Blooming Independent Comic Book Scene

"Too Much Sex and Violence" in the Colne Valley

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Published December 8, 2011, in Features

OK, the title of this post may be a slight exaggeration. I’m not sure if one man really constitutes a “scene”, let alone qualifies for it “blooming”. However it’s certainly true that there have been a great many fantastic quality independent comics published coming out of Slaithwaite over the years.

Rol Hirst started writing comics back in the early nineties with his small press comic The Jock. The series, set in a dystopian future, counted comic book celebrities such as Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Ultimate Fantastc Four, X-Men, Iron Man) and New York Times #1 best selling writer Tony Lee (2000AD, Doctor Who, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies) among his fans.

After The Jock came Rol’s darkly comic anthology series: People Just Ain’t No Good (or PJANG for short). I can smugly say that I was in on the ground floor for this one, and relished each of the delightfully misanthropic issues as it dropped through my letterbox. If you are quick you might even be able to get your hands on your own copies at Rol’s online shop.

Never one to rest on his writing laurels Rol has recently teamed up with a number of different artists and started a brand new comic book: Too Much Sex and Violence.

In Rol’s own words:

Welcome to the northern seaside town of Fathomsby; home to retired super-heroes, monster DJs, mutant prostitutes, pier-owning gangsters, disgruntled policemen and a woman who knows exactly what you’re thinking about, whenever you’re thinking about…S-E-X.

Rol’s a passionate and talented writer and deserves to be supported by his local community as well as his hordes of enthusiastic fans (of which I most definitely am). So why not head over to his online comic shop and dip your toes in the wonderful world of small press comics.

You can also find Rol over on his blog Sunset Over Slawit, pontificating about music on The Mixtape Lives On, and an archive of some of his short stories over at Elephant Words.

He certainly does get around a bit.

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