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Dance On, The Kathy Kirby Story. A 60's star who fell to earth. A very special Haworth Festival show on June 30th and July 7th, 2012, from Bronte Media and Graham Smith. Full details HERE

Tweet us @brontemedia with all your news and pictures on the move! Local, national or international

Bronte Garden wins gold at Chelsea Flower Show

A garden which recreates the West Yorkshire landscape that inspired the Bronte sisters has won gold at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The Brontes' Yorkshire Garden by Welcome to Yorkshire features elements of
the moorland characteristic of the Pennine Moors which surrounded them.
Designer Tracy Foster said it aimed to convey the emotional essence of the place that inspired the sisters.
The Bronte garden is based on a particular location often visited by the sisters, where a bridge now known as the Bronte Bridge crosses a moorland stream.
This is now a popular tourist destination, being located on the path to the location widely believed to be a key setting for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.
Gary Verity, chief executive of Leeds-based Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "The
Brontes' Yorkshire Garden will showcase to the world the wild and wonderful
landscape of Yorkshire as a source of inspiration for some of the finest
literary works of fiction.
"We hope it will encourage more people to rediscover this area of Yorkshire for themselves as well as seeing more of our county's wonderful gardens."

Bronte Bridge, the inspiration for the Bronte Garden

A fascinating web site here from Haworth based author William Forde

Our very special 1940's weekend edition!

Haworth's world famous 1940's weekend approaches and here at Voice of the Valleys we have produced a great FREE edition which you can download by clicking on the front page opposite. Our newspaper will be on the streets on Thursday.
Join us for a great weekend and check back here for exclusive pictures after the event.
Your real, LOCAL community newspaper.

Is this the end for Changegate car park?

Our 40's edition

Packed with great features, news and LOCAL advertisers

Bronte Society reaction to wind turbine

The Brontë Society is very disappointed with the decision to grant planning
permission to Banks Renewables for a 60m wind mast on Thornton Moor.
The Society feels that this decision demonstrates a regrettable lack of
consideration for a heritage landscape which is unique, as well as a complete
disregard for the negative impact which this will have upon the environment and the local economy.   Although the wind mast itself will be in place for a limited period, after which the mast will be removed, the structure will, for that period of time, be visible from the Haworth moorlands, and is likely to
be followed up with four enormous turbines. The Brontë Society feels there should be no further pollution of the skyline and regrets the erection of this structure which, even if of a temporary nature, has implications for the future permanent defacement of the views from the Haworth moorlands. Haworth and its
moorlands have international cultural and historical significance and any
proposals which have an adverse impact on this significance are to be
disapproved of.
Chairman of The Brontë Society Council, Sally McDonald, said;
‘’These moorlands inspired and are reflected in the writings of the Brontës
especially Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. The wild and beautiful
moorland is a significant part of the Brontë story. Interest in the lives
and works of the Brontës brings thousands of visitors to Haworth and Yorkshire year in year out. Erecting a substantial wind mast and still more so four huge turbines three years from now will change the character of this moorland forever.’’
In recent weeks The Brontë Society has received an overwhelming level of
interest and support from all over the world and wishes to express gratitude for this and to reaffirm its commitment to Haworth’s cultural and historical
significance.

Wind from the wrong direction?
Voice of the Valleys comment

In the days of the Brontes children were still being sent down coal mines, an abhorrent practice.
Now we hear an outcry about an experimental wind turbine, not in Haworth, but several miles away across the moors, from the Bronte Society which we are happy to print (opposite).
If the proposed turbine had been on top of Penistone Hill, behind our beloved Parsonage, we could have understood their protest, but are there not things a little closer to home which should concern them?
Perhaps they could lend their support to a local campaign to drum up support for the many shops which are closing on our Main Street. Or sponsor some of the creative local artistic talent which we have in the valleys.
Wind turbines are not everyone's favoured form of energy for the future but we are going to need some. One emotive caller to BBC Radio Leeds said, "What next, a nuclear power station on the Bronte Moors?". Overreaction? We think so.
It seems it is acceptable for any number of film companies to use our heritage to gross large profits at the cinema box office by using us as a backdrop to a commercial enterprise, but to use one small corner of these vast moorlands to try and provide sustainable energy for future generations is totally unacceptable.
The graveyard in St Michael and All Angels Church is teeming with people who,in the Brontes' day, died often before they were out of adolesence. It was due to standards of hygiene and negligence which Patrick Bronte tangibly tried to address in his personal work.
What might he have thought of the Bronte Society objecting to the provision of a form of energy for the future which would have improved those standards tenfold?
In another two hundred years there will still be acres of unspoiled moorland for visitors to enjoy. The Parsonage will still be making a handsome revenue from visitors from all over the world. And hopefully the lights will still be burning because someone, somewhere allowed a little spot of progress in the valleys we all love.

One was singing in the rain!

Princess Anne enjoys a joke with an onlooker.

It had been a while since I met a princess but in Keighley I met two. The Princess Royal who was visiting Keighley Civic Centre and the one below who was waiting to see her!
The Princess Royal drew a large crowd for her visit and stayed much longer than expected at the new Civic Hall. Undaunted, wellwishers stood in often heavy rain to see her arrive and leave and she had time for a word with many and said, "I have much enjoyed my visit to Keighley."
Copyright Bronte Media

Princess waiting for a Princess!

This little princess had plenty to smile about waiting for the Princess Royal to emerge from Keighley Civic Hall.
Many thanks to her Mum for allowing us to use this picture.

Haworth's special day

Join the army, on your bike!

A very special event is took place alongside the 1940s weekend outside the Police and Community Contact Point on Changegate, Haworth.
Members of our community and the Paratroop Regiment held a sponsored static cycling event to raise funds for the Afghan Trust. A former PCSO, Martin Bell G.M., was killed in Afghanistan last year and earlier this year a plaque in his memory was unveiled at the Contact Point.
From the organisers on Facebook: " We are pleased to announce that we raised almost £1,000 last weekend in Haworth! A HUGE thank you to everybody who rattled a tin, rode a bike, came to show their support or contributed to our fundraising efforts!

Martin Bell G.M.

Latest news and links

Wind turbine plans for Haworth Moor
from the Daily Telegraph. Great spelling!

New exhibition at The Parsonage

Heathcliff actor to be arrested

George Medal presented by the Queen to Martin Bell's family

Photographer to chart the decay of Top Withens

Long lost Charlotte Bronte story found

New web site for The Old School Room, Haworth

Make Bradford British review
Our opinion. It was dire! Multiculturalism meets reality television and it simply did not work.

Bradford Council leader slams BBC documentary
The programme features Haworth resident Mr Jens Hislop

Long lost Charlotte Bronte manuscript to be published

University to help Haworth Church and Bronte Spirit

Haworth Parish Church and Brontë Spirit have established a three-year project with York St John University.
The relationship is between the two Haworth-based organisations and the University’s English Literature programme focussing on second-year undergraduates who will contribute to the awareness and fund-raising programmes for both the Parish Church and Brontë Spirit each spring.
Brontë Spirit is the charity overseeing the restoration of the Old School Room on Church Street, Haworth while the Parish Church have a five-year, three-stage restoration plan which is going to cost an estimated £1.25 million.
The students, who are taking a module designed to develop employability skills in the Arts, will devise creative projects of their own which will be integrated into the financial plans to save two historic buildings in Haworth. The Parish Church is close to completion of the first stage of their project to restore the Victorian building while Brontë Spirit is about to undertake a major restoration of the Old School Room.
Six students from York St John University have already volunteered to work alongside the two Haworth based organisations this year in a pilot scheme, which it is hoped will continue to run in future years. One option for their studies is to contribute to a community living heritage project with a strong literary connection and, of course, both the Parish Church and the Old School Room play central roles in the legacy of the Rev. Patrick Brontë and his internationally famous author daughters.
All six students, together with their course-leader Professor Gweno Williams, paid their first visit to Haworth earlier this month and met officials from both host organisations to discuss their proposed projects and how they would fit into the projects’ existing fund-raising programmes.
Rev. Peter Mayo-Smith, the priest in charge at Haworth Parish Church, said: “We’re delighted to be working with York St John University and their students. Both Haworth Parish Church and the Old School Room are living links to the Brontë family and it is good to have their support as we seek to secure both buildings for the future.”
National Teaching Fellow Professor Gweno Williams, who is leading the project at York St John University, added: “It is very important for Arts and Humanities students to explore and develop skills relevant to future employment; this is a fantastic opportunity to do so, as well as directly helping to sustain Yorkshire’s literary heritage.
“Additionally, one of the student volunteers, Heather Bothwell, is related to the last rector to live in Haworth Parsonage, Rev. J C. Hirst MA (1925 - 1947), so she and her family are particularly delighted about this opportunity forming part of her university studies.”

Your news and views wanted

We want your news and views from across the Worth and Aire Valleys.
Here on our web site and in our popular Voice of the Valleys newspaper you have told us that LOCAL is what counts most.
You reject publications top heavy with 99 per cent advertising at exorbitant rates padded out with low quality press releases and poor features.
Tell us what you want to see in the local media, talk to us about your advertising needs. We will listen and do something about it.
Our next edition is on the way and has businesses in there who do not normally advertise but have chosen to come with us because of our unique approach.
E-mail us on voiceofthevalleys@gmail.com or call 07866 626090. Find out how to become part of a web site and publication that LOCAL people are reading and looking for because it puts the quality back into LOCAL media.

Feature your business in Voice of the Valleys

The Dog and Gun, Oxenhope

Why not feature your pub or restaurant business here on our web site and in the Voice of the Valleys newspaper?
Our popular editorial based features include a range of pictures, menus, specials and a professionally written piece by our staff.

Visit The Dog and Gun, Denholme Road, Oxenhope BD22 9SN, Tel 01535 643159. Perfect for your function and a quality dining experience.

York University students who are to help the cause of Haworth Church and The Old Schoolroom over the next three years.

Jayne Pickard's harrowing story. A Voice of the Valleys exclusive. Was this her lucky escape from a murder suspect?

Murder suspect Barry Morrow, born in Burnley, was found hanged in his cell (Feb 9th) at Strangeways prison, Manchester. He was awaiting trial for the murders of Angela Holgate, 54, and her mother, Alice Huyton, 75, who were found dead at Ms Holgate's Southport home on December 3rd last year
Jayne Pickard, who lives in Haworth, has chosen to tell her own story of how she very nearly met her school friend of years ago, Barry Morrow, exclusively to Voice of the Valleys. Could a Facebook encounter have led to disaster for Jayne?
Read her exclusive story HERE in her own words.

Copyright Bronte Media and Jayne Pickard, February 2012

Visit the World of Wellness

Visit the World of Wellness run by Haworth's Sheila Murray

Relax into Spring with Sheila Murray

Relaxation, a Rationale.
Relaxation- What is it?
It is physiologically impossible for the mind and body to entertain
opposite conditions simultaneously. Relaxation is a state of mind and body that
is the opposite of Stress. Because a person’s mind and body cannot be both
stressed and relaxed simultaneously, the states of Relaxation and Stress are
incompatible, that is to say that they cannot occupy the mind and body at the
same time. Therefore, a person’s mind and body can either be relaxed or
stressed. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EASIEST WAY TO REMOVE STRESS FROM ONE’S MIND AND BODY IS TO ESTABLISH A STATE OF RELAXATION.
How do we know this to be true?
If you want proof that two opposites cannot simultaneously inhabit the
same body, test it out. First stand up and then sit down. Now try to stand up
and sit down simultaneously. Or shout out your name at the top of your voice and
then whisper your name. Next try to shout and whisper at precisely the same
time. You could also try smiling then frowning, moving and standing still. Do
each one of the opposites and then try to do them together. You cannot because
it is impossible.
Relaxation Training:
Relaxation technique can include any method, activity, procedure or
process that can help a person to relax, to gain a state of increased calmness,
to improve sleep, to reduce levels of fear, anxiety and stress and to manage
anger. Any effective technique of relaxation will always produce the opposite
condition of tension, ie, floppy muscles, deeper breathing, low blood pressure,
correct posture, positive thought. Relaxation techniques are often employed as
an element of a wider stress management program and can help to become more
appropriately assertive, a healthier and happier person who is more in balance
with the world around and who is more in tune with all manner of man and
creature. Particular health benefits include better sleeping, decrease muscle
tension, lower blood pressure, a healthier set of lungs and heart, increased
energy, easier breathing, a more positive and realistic attitude and less
dependency upon some types of drug.
The Relaxation Program:
The Relaxation Program will focus upon the most important aspects of
your behavior that concern the Mind and Body. These will include the heart,
lungs, brain, muscles, and self-talk. You will be provided with exercises
designed to lower your blood pressure levels and teach you how to breathe
properly and release muscle tension. You will learn positive self-talk and how
to use your brain to better advantage. All of these methods, coupled with
regular relaxation training practice will reinforce your ability to manage your
stress and anger levels, enabling you to perform with greater ease and
precision.
This program unifies both knowledge and techniques of Eastern and
Western disciplines that are helpful to all participants.
This program is suitable for:
•Reducing fear, anxiety and stress
•Recognising problem situations and learning how to resolve
them
•Improving sleeping patterns
•Lowering blood pressure levels and drug
dependency
•Assisting with weight reduction programs
•Increase self-awareness and self-enhancement
To enrol in this 4-week relaxation program, contact Sheila today on
07799 437174 or 01535 648761, or via www.sheilamurray.co.uk

Charlotte Bronte's love letters to be published

Charlotte Bronte's love letters to an older, married man are to be published
See more on our Bronte page.

Haworth artist Judy Sale is available for specialist tuition

We have many talented artists in Haworth, Meet one of them HERE
Judy Sale, who has a unique gallery within her home on Haworth Main Street, is now available for art tuition. Here she is pictured at he opening of her gallery on Haworth Main Street.
She has travelled the world learning her craft and has a unique approach to the craft of abstract art.
Contact her on judysale12@gmail.com
See more of her work at www.judysale.com and HERE

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Community News
Send your community news to voiceofthevalleys@gmail.com or call us on 07866 626090.
You can also advertise your forthcoming community event here for just £5. Send your details and we will do the rest.

The Brontes
Research & resources about the Bronte family, their books and the world famous Haworth village.

Off the beaten track
Interviews by our Editor, Graham Smith
Ken Dodd
Patricia Kirkwood
Sir Jimmy Savile

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Traditional values, community spirit
The changing world of the media means that most of us now look online for our news, views and information. Here at Voice of the Valleys we aim to bring you the best of all worlds by combining an online magazine with some of the traditional newspaper values.
We will bring you local news and features, pictures and sounds from an area including Keighley, Haworth, Oakworth, Oxenhope, Cross Roads, Stanbury and beyond. Areas rich in history, tourism and business which attract visitors from all over the world. Our readership will be world-wide meaning that advertisers have an outlet which no single hard copy publication can ever give with a much longer shelf life and at a fraction of the cost charged by low circulation traditional media.
We want everyone to be involved and will accept contributions from across the broad spectrum of our communities to make us a publication "by the people for the people".
E-mail us on voiceofthevalleys@gmail.com or call 07866 626090 so we can hear your voice.

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Exclusively from Bronte Media and Voice of the Valleys....
Bronte Radio at www.bronteradio.com

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Aire your views, it's Worth it
Comment on anything and everything in our forums HERE

Jenny Agutter

The evergreen Jenny Agutter. Star of The Railway Children, but what was she doing here?
Coming soon in Voice of the Valleys, Graham Smith's exclusive interview with the lady who will forever be a part of Haworth.

Ken Dodd, Crown Prince of Laughter

If this man doesn't make you laugh no one can.
Read Graham Smith's feature on Ken Dodd in his Off The Beaten Track column HERE

Views from the Valleys and beyond

We are indebted to Haworth photographer Mark Davis for this wonderful picture of Haworth Main Street.
This is a measure of the depth of talent which we have in the Valleys.
Support them all.
See more of Mark's work HERE
________________

Advertising sales people wanted

We are looking for advertising sales people to earn great commission and sell our advertising space across the Aire and Worth Valleys
e-mail voiceofthevalleys@gmail.com for full details

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The Voice of the Valleys Facebook page is HERE

Tweet us on @voicevalleys or @brontemedia

This Weather Widget is provided by the Met Office

Search is on for new Brow Post Office

No replacement is yet on the horizon for the Haworth Brow Post Office, which closed last August.
Parish council chairman, Councillor John Huxley, said the Post Office had told him it was advertising for someone to run a postal facility in this part of the village, but so far no one had come forward.
He noted that the Post Office was describing the closure as “temporary” and that it still wanted to restore its services to the Brow, members of the Haworth, Cross Roads, and Stanbury Parish Council heard The Mill Hey premises shut after its postmaster was unable to sell the business as a post office. Following the closure the post box outside the property was also removed. Coun Huxley said the lack of a post office in the area was causing distress, especially for older residents.
Parish council clerk, Glyn Broomhead, said the Post Office had informed him the original post box would be reinstalled. He said it would be sited in the Haworth Railway Station forecourt - not far from its previous location. However, he added the Post Office said it was waiting for a contractor to carry out the work and could not confirm when the installation would take place.

Cliffe Castle to close for a year

February 2nd
Keighley's Cliffe Castle museum is to close for a year for essential repairs. More HERE

Heroic former community officer honoured

The plaque to Private Martin Bell GM, outside the Worth Valley Contact Point

NEWS

Plaque unveiled to Martin Bell GM

A Bradford man who gave his life for his country as a soldier is to have his memory cherished by those he once served as a PCSO, after they created a permanent memorial in his honour. Pte Martin Bell, who served as a PCSO in Airedale and North Bradford Police before joining the Army as a paratrooper, had a memorial plaque unveiled in his honour at the Worth Valley Police and Community Contact Point in Haworth . The stone plaque was unveiled in a ceremony on January 25 as a lasting tribute from the whole community to remember Martin’s work helping them as a Police Community Support Officer serving the Worth Valley. It has been provided free of charge by local craftsmen and will be unveiled by dignitaries including, West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison, Bradford District and local councillors, The Parachute Regiment and Martin's family Martin joined West Yorkshire Police in 2006 as a PCSO and was based in the Worth Valley where he became very well known and popular with both residents and colleagues for his humour, dedication and enthusiasm. He later realised a long held desire to join the army and went on to serve with The Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan until his sad death in early 2011. The paratrooper was awarded a posthumous George Medal for his actions in which he lost his own life while trying to save that of a colleague. Sir Norman Bettison, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, said: “As a PCSO Martin worked in the heart of the local community in the Worth Valley so it is appropriate that such a fitting memorial has been created, in Martin's name, at one of the Contact Points we use to provide truly ‘local’ policing. “It is heart warming to see so many individuals, not least the talented craftsman who created this plaque, come together to give their effort and time to remember Martin in this way.” Chief Superintendent Ian Kennedy of Airedale and North Bradford Police, added: "Martin was an extremely well liked and popular with both his colleagues and in the communities he served and we are very pleased to have the chance to pay our respects to him. “PCSO’s provide a vital service delivering Neighbourhood Policing in small communities such as Haworth and Martin was a wonderful ambassador for the Force.”

Martin's mother, Elaine, and the plaque

PCSO Helen Wynn-Evans, Martin's former colleague who instigated the idea of the plaque.

Body blow for church as it reaches target

Despite raising sufficient match funding to acquire church fund roof repairs costing thousands of pounds by the January 20th deadline Haworth Church has been told they must find £50,000 more than was first thought.Before Christmas last year church leaders announced they could lose a £100,000 English Heritage grant to fix the church's badly-leaking south roof unless they raised £65,000 in match-funding by today.
That target was reached yesterday and church secretary John Huxley said he received the “gut-wrenching” news that due to escalating building costs it would need tens of thousands of pounds more than it had originally thought.
He said English Heritage was being “very helpful, very supportive and very sympathetic” and was looking at ways it could help. “What was due to be one of the most joyful days in the church’s history has turned very sour,” he said.
“This morning we thought we were home and dry. To get this bombshell as the day has gone on has been gut-wrenching.”
Fundraising events and schemes have been organised by residents and people keen to help restore the church, which is the burial place of two of the Bronte sisters.
They included a “Haworth Couldn’t Wear Less” calendar and the donation of proceeds from the sale of 100 limited editions of a painting of the Bronte sisters by artist Stella Vine.
Mr Huxley said: “A lot of money has come in from well-wishers.
“We have raised something in the region of £40,000 ourselves which is an unbelievable result for a church of our size.
“Once we have got over the disappointment we’ll have to dust ourselves down.
“Where we’ll get the money from I don’t know. We’re just hoping there’s someone out there who can help us.
“Lots of people have been very generous and kind but we’re throwing ourselves on their mercy again.”

Read our Editorial Opinion on the Community pages.
Which Way Forward for Haworth?
From the BBC

Marketing Haworth to the world

Can Haworth become an international tourist destination on a global scale? More on our NEWS pages.

Haworth housing proposal

There is a great deal of interest and debate going to be held in future months over housing plans for Haworth. See details of one of the latest applications HERE

Grants to make Haworth "more authentic"!

A major new scheme offering grants to Haworth businesses to make the village more authentic is announced by English Heritage and Bradford Council. Full story HERE

Restoration of Top Withens

An interesting piece about the proposed restoration of Top Withens. HERE

Amazing find in Pendle

Just over the hill from us in Pendle, birthplace of our Editor, an ancient cottage has been unearthed.
Hear the story from the BBC HERE

A publication and web site which is read again and again

With Voice of the Valleys you have a long shelf life in front of real readers, not a long life on a shelf!
Is your advertising proving its worth to you? Or is it not worth the money? Our advertising rates will not be beaten, our editorial quality will not be matched.

Welcome to Voice of the Valleys on line
.
Voice of the Valleys is a free, honest to goodness, old fashioned print newspaper covering local issues, history, trade and the views of the community. It is available from selected outlets in the Worth & Aire Valleys, Spar, Co-op, shops & information centres, and a host of other community based locations. It is also delivered house to house each month by our own dedicated team of distributors in selected areas.

If you are unable to pick up a copy of the print paper then it is available on subscription from voiceofthevalleys@gmail.com .

On this site you will also find more in depth coverage of the articles in the newspaper, so please click on the links to delve deep into the heart of one of Britain's most famous and exciting locations and its people.

Graham Smith - Editor and Publisher