Schools in Calderdale are being advised to consider additional public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Rates of COVID-19 in Calderdale are higher than they’ve ever been throughout the pandemic and unfortunately this is causing severe pressures on health and social care services.

Although the fantastic uptake of the vaccine in Calderdale has weakened the link between high numbers of cases and serious illness, it hasn’t broken it all together.

Local hospitals are continuing to see high numbers of patients with COVID-19.  The virus still poses a threat to individuals and communities and so we need to do all we can to protect NHS services and slow the spread of the virus.

Overall case rates in Calderdale have never been as high. Cases are currently highest in secondary school-aged children, followed by those of primary school age, who are coming into contact with COVID-19 at school. The virus is then being passed on to family members and spreading through the community.

To try and bring the situation under control, the Council is advising secondary schools to consider asking staff and students to use face coverings and advising all schools to consider how they can limit mixing between groups and limit visitors. 

Any measures would be introduced and implemented by schools who know their communities best and understand which measures would be most effective. Throughout the pandemic, the Council has worked closely with schools to keep children and staff as safe as possible and will continue to support them to reintroduce measures if they wish to do so.

As the risk of the virus spreading further is greatest within households, the Council is also asking children and young people who live in a household where someone has COVID-19, to stay away from school for 3-5 days, get a PCR test and only return to school if they receive a negative PCR test result. Calderdale parents and carers will soon receive a letter explaining the measures.

The introduction of these measures will help reduce transmission of the virus within schools and subsequently households and wider communities. They will also limit the amount of disruption to young people’s education. As children aged 4 and under are currently less likely to catch and spread the virus the additional measures are not advised for early years settings at the moment.

Calderdale Council’s Director of Public Health, Debs Harkins, said:

“As we all learn to live with COVID-19, we need to find the right balance between minimising the risk of infection, reducing disruption to our lives and ensuring our health and care services aren’t overwhelmed.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing real pressures within our hospitals at the moment, due to the extremely high numbers of COVID-19 cases in the borough. Contact tracing data shows that the high number of cases is being caused by the virus spreading in education settings, and we need to bring the situation under control.

“To prevent COVID-19 transmission within schools as much as possible, we are advising that additional public health measures are introduced. The specifics of these measures will be led by schools who know what will work best for them. However, we will continue to support schools in any way we can and offer our advice to help them make the best decisions for their school and community.”

The Leader of Calderdale Council, Cllr Tim Swift, said:

“Schools have been working incredibly hard to protect pupils, staff and the wider school community and we want to support their efforts as much as we can. Work is also taking place within schools, delivered by the NHS working in partnership with the Council, to ensure 12-15 year olds are offered their first dose of the vaccine. We know how disruptive the pandemic has been for schools and we want to minimise this and keep as many young people in school as possible.

“The introduction of additional measures will support this by reducing COVID-19 transmission both within schools and wider communities. This will in turn also minimise pressure on our already stretched health and social care services as we head into what’s likely to be a very difficult winter period.”

We can all protect ourselves, loved ones and health and care services by doing the five big things:

• Give others space
• Wear a face covering in high-risk places
• Get tested and self-isolate if notified to do so
• Mix outside or let air in
• Get both doses of the vaccine if you are eligible, and the booster when available

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 you should book a free NHS test as soon as possible. You can also phone 119. Stay at home until it is time to take your test.

We have a special offer for you in the magazines this month!

One of our advertisers is sharing a leaflet with 6000 of our 16, 000 readers and letting you know more about their Halifax based heritage business.

They’re also sharing with you, the chance to enter a draw to win a £150 voucher to spend with them!

Read on to find out how to enter the draw…

Tell us about yourselves….

We, Mike and Hannah, both grew up in Halifax and started our textile business, ‘From the mills…’  several years ago, manufacturing and selling locally-made wool blankets and tweed.

What do you love most about your job?

Hannah:  Buying yarn!!  Looking at a handful of different bits of coloured wool and imagining what could be done with them…  I also feel proud to be a part of something so integral to our local history.

Mike:  In my opinion, customer service cannot be valued too highly and it pleases me ensuring our products and service are top notch.  I am proud of what we have built and enjoy meeting interesting characters.

Where do you work?

Our blankets and fabric are woven in Huddersfield, but we are based in Halifax, a town that used to be home to more than 50 wool textile businesses.  We are currently moving from Phoebe Lane Mills to the weaving shed of Shaw Lodge Mills.  We love the history of old mills and it has been fun in both mills finding scraps of coloured wool left from decades ago –  a lovely reminder of Halifax’s woolly heritage.

How do I enter the £150 Voucher Giveaway draw?

To be entered into a draw for a £150 voucher to spend on our website, tell us your favourite colour blanket or something about Halifax’s textile history!

Email li[email protected].co.uk OR enter a comment on our competition post @skircoatgreendirectory on Instagram.

Deadline for entries is 18^th October.  Winner to be drawn on 22^nd October 2021.

Local history and art: People of All Souls

Since 2019, as part of the 160^th celebrations, the small volunteer team at All Souls, Haley Hill have been gathering fond memories through stories, photographs and video clips from people with emotional ties to the church which closed to a congregation in 1977.

Jackie and David Butterfield wedding 1970’s

So many memories shared of weddings, family christenings, tales from the Sunday school, the amateur operatic society and the award winning bell ringers bring the building to life. If you have any memories to share please do bring them along.

Jackie and David Butterfield 2021

Owned by the Churches Conservation Trust it is generally closed to the public but the volunteers always give their time to open the doors during the September Heritage celebrations and take part in the Halifax Heritage Trail.

This year they hope to welcome visitors 10-4pm on 11^th, 12^th, 18^th and 19^th September.

The rich heritage of this church designed by renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott originates with Colonel Edward Akroyd, marked by his statue alongside. A man before his time he built Akroydon and Copley Village for his mill workers which were two of the first model villages in England. He was an MP, one of the founders of the Yorkshire Penny Bank and donated his manor house that became Bankfield Museum. A visit to the museum is a must to find out so much more.

The church itself is spectacular but we also offer local history walks and refreshments at the old Sunday school as well as the fifth solo exhibition of paintings by local artist Jane Austin.

The exhibition ‘Feast for the Eyes’ will include all Jane’s local heritage prints, the Shibden Collection and many new paintings which fully reflect the range of her work. Commission is donated to All Souls c/o The Churches Conservation Trust.

Make sure that you don’t miss out in September on the rich heritage of our town, full details of all events listed at www.discoverhx.com, VisitCalderdale.com and the Discover Halifax Hub at Woolshops.

Connect with the volunteers at www.facebook.com/allsoulshaleyhillcommunity Artist at www.janeaustin.co.uk

The original art of Jane Austin features on our front cover this month.

The Piecemakers are branching out with a new exhibition at the Halifax Minster this September. Their textile response to the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar has been years in the making and the display was originally planned for April 2020 but was unfortunately delayed by the pandemic.

The 21 individually designed panels, each measuring 100 x 60cm, reflect the mythology, folklore and distinctive features of the native trees of Great Britain as depicted in the Celtic Ogham, an ancient alphabet and calendar including trees such as the Oak, Apple, Willow and Ash.

Vintage fabrics and donated materials were used to showcase a variety of traditional techniques including embroidery, goldwork, applique, patchwork and 3D creations, utilising the individual creative and artistic skills of the Piecemakers as weavers, stitchers, embroiderers, quilters, painters and printers.

The Piecemakers Artistic Lead, Annie Lancaster said  ‘Each panel depicts one tree featuring the letter and number of the tree plus details relating to mythology, history, botany, pharmacology and religion of that tree and also highlights the importance of bees in pollination. Join us during the weekend of the Heritage Festival (11^th/12^th September) to add a few pieces to our large Tree design rag rug when you visit the exhibition!’

Outreach Workshops

The group have worked with the local community, sharing associated knowledge and skills at various pre-pandemic events.  The huge rag rug has had many people contributing, including visitors to the Shibden Hall Heritage exhibition 2 years ago ago and people attending the group’s outreach workshops.

The Piecemakers built relationships with various external groups including Calderdale Countryside Service, local primary schools and the Churches Conservation Trust through tree identification projects and craft activities.  Pre-pandemic, a holiday club for adults and children during the summer break was organised and run at Copley St Stephens, thanks to support from the Churches Conservation Trust. In addition, a series of sessions at Ogden Water for adults and an after school club at Copley Primary school also took place.

These activities allowed community engagement with participants of all ages and abilities and gave the group opportunities to pass on traditional skills.

Funding

Over the last 4 years, the group has raised funds for the project, selling postcards of their work and handmade items at Shibden Hall Winter Festival, Calderdale Industrial Museum and the Calderdale Visitor Centre. Funding was gratefully received from the Calderdale Council, Skircoat Ward Forum, the Staying Well team, Norland Scarecrow Festival and this was used to pay for the room hire, artistic workshops and materials.

The 2021 Exhibition

The group recently displayed the panels at The Crafty Owl in Elland and were delighted to show the work to renowned Yorkshire based artist Kate Lycett, who kindly visited the shop/studio where the group regularly meet.

Kate Lycett said ‘Meeting you all was just lovely! I loved the work, and stories woven into it. I loved that you’d included long saved treasures; bits of embroidery and fabric and student sketches saved for decades for just this very project. It’s just the kind of thing that I do; I have drawers of colour sorted inky scraps, tiny, but too precious to discard. You made me feel like I’d found my tribe!’

The Halifax Minster team have kindly waited for the pandemic restrictions to be lifted and are excited to have the Panels displayed during the national and local Heritage Festival celebrations.   The Mayor of Calderdale is attending the official opening of the Exhibition on Friday September 10^th. The Piecemakers will have booklets available to purchase, explaining the exhibition. The public are invited to participate in the heritage craft of Rag Rugging, within covid guidelines.

Halifax Sailing Club extends a warm welcome to new and old members. Formed in 1959, as a predominantly dinghy racing club, it welcomes many types of water activity, including dinghy sailing, board sailing, canoeing and kayaking.

It has thriving training, youth and racing sections which enjoy the uninterrupted winds at the highest sailing club in the UK at Warley Moor Reservoir, Wainstalls, Halifax.

Funding

Over the past four years £60,000 has been raised through donations, grants and fund raising activities to allow a massive investment to take place, to ensure the club is in a healthy position and to make the facilities as welcoming as possible. These improvements include new training boats and sail boards, a floating jetty, new generator, improved water and gas supplies and internal club enhancements, including showers.

The club heritage goes back 60 years and has present and past members who have won National, European and World titles, boasting two Olympians who have started at the club – one winning a Gold, who can trace her sailing lineage back to Halifax Sailing Club.

Training

Training is provided by RYA qualified dinghy and sailboard instructors, in club owned boats, which are available for newly trained members to use until they have their own boats. Training takes place on weekday evenings and weekends.

The Saturday Club for youth and novice sailing is thriving. It is run as an informal training session, but with the focus on having fun in a safe environment. Short practice racing is organized, with prizes.

Racing

Dinghy racing takes place on Wednesday evenings and Sundays – but the water is open for casual sailing too whilst racing takes place.

So, if you want to try a water activity, after a long lock down, or introduce your family to a healthy outdoor activity right on your doorstep, then make contact with the club via face book, our web site or simply come along when we are open.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

www.halifaxsailingclub.org.uk

Traditionally, funeral directing has happened behind closed doors creating an air of mystery about the profession and everything surrounding it. As a modern funeral director, we encourage more open conversation about funerals and funeral directing. To help with this, we’re sharing a typical day for one of our funeral directors (this may differ for other services).

Looking after people who have died

After someone has died, we go to the place where they have died and bring them into our care (and usually look after people until the day of their funeral).  Depending on the circumstances and the wishes of the person who has died and their family, this may involve delivering personal care, dressing someone, or doing their nails, hair and makeup.

Sometimes people also need some care which is exclusively for people after death.  This depends on specific circumstances, and we would always try to facilitate a family being involved in these decisions (gently and only if they want to).  Most people have heard of embalming, which is an example of such a procedure.

Supporting people to make funeral arrangements

We spend much of our time helping people to understand what is possible and then creating time and space to support them to work out what works best for them.  We start by trying to understand what is important to the person who has died and their family and friends and then expand on these ideas by structuring the decisions that need to be made and sharing ideas.

This might include needing to do some research about new options, places, or people so that we can suggest things which are specific to that individual.

Once the decisions have been made, then it is our job to pull everything together.

Support on the day of the funeral

On the day of the funeral, we are there to make sure that the event is as the family and friends wanted it to be.  In many cases, this involves ensuring that all the carefully prepared plans and timings are adhered to.  However, sometimes that also involves navigating the unexpected and being able to make quick judgements and decisions about how to adapt the plan in response to unforeseen circumstances.

Pre- and post-funeral support

As funeral directors, we are well placed to support people to understand and write down their own funeral wishes or purchase a pre-paid funeral plan.  We know the benefit of people leaving funeral wishes and see how consoling it is for people to be able to gift the fulfilment of these wishes after someone has died.

Similarly, because we support people who have been bereaved, we are well-placed to share helpful information about bereavement support. We also run a peer bereavement support group.

We believe that the more people know about funerals and choices, the better.

Please visit our website for more information www.fullcirclefunerals.co.uk

Full Circle Funerals, 1 Westbourne Crescent, Crossley Hill, Halifax HX3 0PJ

Additional COVID-19 testing in Calderdale is now being extended to more parts of the borough to help contain the spread of the virus.

Extra testing continues in the Park, Todmorden and Warley areas, and now, people who live, work or study in Ryburn, Sowerby Bridge, Illingworth or Mixenden are also being asked to get tested due to rapidly increasing cases in these wards.

COVID-19 infection rates are still rising across Calderdale. On Sunday 20 June, the latest rate was 137 per 100,000 – a 33% increase compared to the previous week. The Delta variant, which spreads more quickly, now makes up the majority of cases.

The positive impact of the recent additional testing in Park, Todmorden and Warley can be seen in the latest testing figures. 7,500 people had a PCR test between 13 and 19 June – double the number compared to the week before. Testing is important because half of Calderdale residents that test positive don’t have symptoms, so the testing finds COVID-19 cases that we wouldn’t know about otherwise. We can support them to self-isolate and break the chain of infection.

To build on the intensive work on additional testing and community engagement in recent weeks, testing will continue at sites in Park, Todmorden and Warley, and PCR testing for people without symptoms in Ryburn, Sowerby Bridge, Illingworth and Mixenden is getting started.

For information on additional testing and the location of testing sites, please visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/managing/extra-testing

Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader, said:

“Calderdale now has the highest COVID testing rate in the region and we’re incredibly grateful to all the residents, schools, workplaces and other organisations which have played a part in this.

“Rapidly increasing case rates in some parts of the borough mean we’re now offering extra PCR testing to people without symptoms in areas with the highest case rates and where there is a high risk of transmission.

“We urge people to keep doing everything they can to help protect themselves and others, including taking up the extra testing in some parts of Calderdale.”

Deborah Harkins, the Council’s Director of Public Health, added:

“We are reviewing COVID case rates and the uptake of extra testing every day, and making changes to the location of testing sites where needed. Please keep an eye on our website for updates.

“If you live in one of the areas where additional testing is taking place, even if you do regular rapid Lateral Flow Tests at home, it’s important that you take a PCR test, regardless of whether you have symptoms. You may want to swap one of your regular Lateral Flow Tests for a PCR test, so that you aren’t doing any more tests than usual but are helping to identify and contain any new variants of concern.”

The additional testing programme in Calderdale includes the following:

• Existing PCR testing sites, which are still being used for people with symptoms to get tested, are now also being used for asymptomatic PCR testing. They are open for walk-in testing with no appointment needed.
• Mobile Testing Units are visiting community venues (determined by feedback from local people about the most appropriate and convenient locations) with no appointments needed.
• Mobile Testing Units are visiting a number of workplaces and test kits are being provided for employees to take home for the people they live with.
• Test kits are being distributed through a number of schools and colleges for students and members of their household.

Extra testing is being supported by:

• Raising awareness of support to self-isolate. Please visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/help for details of the range of support available.
• Continued engagement with local communities.
• Action to increase uptake of both doses of the vaccine. The Delta variant spreads more quickly than the Alpha variant (first identified in Kent). Evidence from Public Health England shows that two doses of either vaccine provide at least 90% protection against illness caused by the Delta variant that requires hospital treatment. Local contact tracers are contacting people at highest risk to discuss the vaccine with them and, where appropriate, book vaccination slots for them. Pop-up vaccine clinics continue in trusted and accessible community venues and workplaces.

There are five big things that we can all do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Keep our distance and limit mixing with people we don’t live with.
• Wear a face covering where necessary, unless medically exempt.
• Self-isolate if we test positive or are a contact of someone who has tested positive. A range of support is available to people self-isolating: www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus/help.
• Meet others outside where possible, and if not then let fresh air in.
• Book our vaccine when we are invited by the NHS.

For up-to-date and reliable information about COVID-19, use trusted sources such as:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

www.calderdale.gov.uk/coronavirus

It all started with an officer of the Duke of Wellington’s regiment, who in 1887 asked “Anyone for tennis?” Major C Conor was a keen tennis player and his enthusiasm for the sport promoted a move to form a tennis club which, over 130 years later, is a thriving Sports Club providing super facilities for Squash and Tennis as well as having a state of art gym. The club has around 750 members of all ages and abilities.

It was at a special meeting at the Drill Hall in Halifax on February 12^th 1887 that the club was formed and as it was Queen Victoria’s jubilee year the club was called Queens Sports Club.

The annual subscription was 21 shillings (£1.05 ) for gentlemen and 10 Shillings and sixpence for Ladies!

The club was based originally at Craven Lodge, Parkinson Lane, which was short lived as the land was needed for building. The club moved to its present location by leasing land off Savile Park Road with a loan from the Union Bank of £200.  The first World War had a dramatic effect as membership drained away to the western front. At the end of 1916 the club had only 15 men left and they guaranteed to give £5 each to keep the club going.

The club has produced many successful players over the years and is known for its friendly but competitive spirit.

Queens was one of the first tennis clubs to build squash courts with courts opening in January 13^th 1938. There are now 5 Squash courts and 6 outdoor and 2 indoor Tennis courts to play on.

A landmark in the clubs’ history was in April 1996 when the Courtside Gym opened. Not like other gym’s, Queens modelled the gym on being a very friendly and family orientated place to enjoy the facilities that help make our members fit and healthy. Brian Raynor has been involved from the very start and is still seen most days giving one to one special stretching and exercise sessions to lots of members.

Queens also has a lovely welcoming Bar and Veranda from which members can have a nice relaxing drink and watch the tennis below.  Our Club Bar facilities are open to members of the public, for free, should you wish to celebrate a special event.

Watch out for our special promotions at Heath Pharmacy, just below the club and Skircoat Green Post Office.

Our motto has never been more appropriate now as lockdown is soon to be a thing of the past.

GET FIT – STAY HEALTHY – HAVE FUN !

Get in touch today!

[email protected]

01422 360 487

This month we talk to Kate Claughan, the owner of The Book Case in Hebden Bridge and The Book Corner at The Piece Hall in Halifax about the advantages of being an independent bookshop, chat to artist Sue Cordingley about her work that has included the illustrations for the children’s book The Dragons Of Wainhouse Tower(as featured in last month’s podcast) and, to coincide with the start of a new series of Ackley Bridge on Channel 4 and the recent filming of series 2 of Gentleman Jack in The Piece Hall, we revisit our report about ‘Hollyfax’. And, of course, our regular band of film reviewers – which this month has expanded slightly from a threesome to a foursome – cast their eyes over Oscar-nominated Sound of Metal, the Icelandic film A White, White Day, time-bending Palm Springs and the wonder that is Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar.

Introduction to the Kate Claughan interview

After initially working with only the children’s books, Kate Claughan describes taking on the ownership of The Bookcase in Hebden Bridge as quite a risky endeavour. Faced with the joint threats of Amazon and ebooks, the future of independent bookshops was looking dark. ‘It was a very steep learning curve,’ says Kate. Obviously relishing a challenge, she went on to open The Book Corner in Piece Hall three years ago. She now has a very established clientele in Hebden Bridge, with many customer orders, whereas the Halifax shop attracts a wider range of shoppers, including coach parties of grandparents buying ‘posh children’s books’.

The recent lockdowns have added to her challenges. It was difficult to keep up with what was happening in the book trade, and not easy to feed off customers’ interests, when the shops were closed. Kate found herself ‘a bit untethered’. She feels sorry for the authors who brought out books at that time, as their sales possibly suffered. She tried to second guess what the customers would want when the shop doors reopened. Gardening and nature books have been selling well, but fiction has also had a boost. ‘People are looking for a bit of escapism. They definitely don’t want to read about Covid,’ says Kate.

‘A brilliant source of income’ for her over the past year has been Bookshop.org, which  enables local bookshops to sell books online through its storefront. Nevertheless she feels that real live bookshops continue to have their advantages in offering ‘a little bit of headspace’ for customers who have no compulsion to buy but can benefit from the sellers’ informed advice and perhaps find something they never imagined they wanted.

Children’s reading has experienced an upsurge during lockdown too. Long series of books have offered an ideal escape, including Michelle Paver’s ‘Chronicles of Ancient Darkness’; Jessica Townsend’s ‘Nevermoor’ books; Cressida Cowell’s ‘How to train you Dragon’ and ‘The Wizards of Once’ series; and the graphic ‘Dogman’ novels of Dav Pilkey. As for adult fiction, Kate says that Bernadine Evaristo and Delia Owens have been popular authors. Among her predicted future bestsellers are ‘Male Tears’ by Benjamin Myers; ‘The First Woman’ by Jennifer Nansubuya Makumbi; and the paperback editions of Maggie O’Farrell’s ‘Hamnet’, Douglas Stuart’s ‘Shuggie Bain’, Monique Roffey’s ‘The Mermaid of Black Conch’ and Richard Osman’s ‘The Thursday Murder Club’. So support your local bookshop now!

Janet Warham

To listen to the podcast, visit halifaxpodcast.com

In response to the very sad news today that His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh has died, the Mayor of Calderdale, Cllr Dot Foster, said:

“We are saddened by the news today of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip has played a significant role in the public life of the nation for over 70 years. We will remember him for his many years of public service, for the support he has given the Queen throughout her reign and for his extensive charitable work.

“Our thoughts today are with the Queen and the Royal Family.

“As a mark of respect, we are flying the Union flag at half-mast at Halifax Town Hall from today until the day of the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.”