Real Voices of Happy Valley

Real Voices comes to an end (for now). After 100 episodes we are talking a break. We’ll  be back with a different podcast in the future which we will tell people about on our Real Voices of Happy Valley Facebook page. In this final episode we chat with dr Andrew McTominey of Pennine Heritage, based at the Birchcliffe Centre in Hebden Bridge about his Pennine Stories project which aims to engage th...

In the second of Dean's 'turn the tables episode' Dean Wilkinson of Calder Valley Radio talks to Dave about aspects of his life and work and gains an insight into the origins of Real Voices of Happy Valley

As we approach 100 episodes, which was always our target, our colleague at Calder Valley Radio asked if he could ‘turn the tables’ and ask us questions. So we agreed. In this episode he asked Viv to talk about her life and how we got to be in Calder Valley doing podcasts with local people…

Viv and Dave chat with Sue Knowles who tells us about Todmorden Food Drop In. Originally at St Mary’s Church the drop in outgrew the space available and is now based at Todmorden College. Providing on average 260 family food parcels each week, the drop in serves Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and surrounding areas. For more information on how to drop in and how to donate search for Todmorde...

Julie Thorpe is the manager/chief executive officer at Todmorden Learning Centre – Tod College as its generally known. Here Julie tells Viv and Dave about the wide range of community activities and classes available, all designed to bring community benefit through education, skill sharing and fun activities. There’s literally something for everyone, and if you can’t find what you want support is a...

Here Viv chats with Anna Chilvers, who is the author of several novels, has written about walking the East Coast and teaches groups and one-to-one mentoring sessions for writers. Originally from the midlands Anna has lived in Calder Valley for many years. You can find her at www.annachilvers.co.uk. She refers to a song by experimental band Hen Ogledd called Etheldrada which you can find on YouTube...

Before Clare became a Forest Therapy Guide she was involved on a lot of creative projects with young people in Manchester and Calderdale. here she talks about international, steamed dance projects bring together young people in the UK, across Europe and the Caribbean... all when the internet was very new and a mystery to many

In episode 92 Viv and Dave chat with Clare Donegan about her influences and role as a Forest Therapist working with local communities on creativity, mindfulness and engaging with nature. You can get more information and find out about group sessions at www.claredonegan.com

No guest in episode 91. Viv chats to Dave about his weekend managing the North Sea Stage at Musicport in Whitby, a world music festival. Getting bands on and off stage, keeping their equipment safe, mending the wobbly stage flooring and generally ensuring all went well. An insight into one of those roles that, if it goes well, no one notices.

Creedy has been part of Hebden Bridge culture for many years. As a musician, a radio organiser, presenter and youth worker among other things. Irrepressible, enthusiastic and creative, he has made his impact on valley life and long may that continue. Hear some of his multifaceted history and some future plans

Viv talks to Luke White of the Men’s Book Club, based in Todmorden with members from all over the valley. He talks about how and why he set up a men’s book club, which has attracted a large number of members. Luke tells Viv about the kind of books they read – all fiction but not all written by men. The book club meets on the second Thursday of each month at The Fox (formerly The Pub) in Todmorden....

We talk to Leonie Nimmo about efforts to ensure land workers in Palestine get support and appropriate seeds for the future food security of the region. Many people in the Calder Valley show support for the plight of Palestinians in demonstrations, showing films and organising fundraising gigs among other things. Local woman Leonie has been involved in food security here, in Manchester and internat...

Dave talks to Maureen and John Readle, local volunteers with the Canal and River Trust, keeping our canal in good condition, clearing towpaths and maintaining the locks. They say is payback for their years of canal holidays, but others volunteer for plenty of reasons of their own. Find out more about the canal system and how to volunteer at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Viv and Dave chat with Mark Wibsey who introduced walking football to Calder Valley. He is part of Calder Valley Strollers, one of several clubs open to new members. There are clubs in Mytholmroyd, Todmorden, Halifax and Burnley, it is available on several days through the week and there are Sunday sessions at Todmorden Sports Centre. It is good exercise, available to people who have always played...

Dave and Viv speak to Peter Lassey of the White Ribbon Campaign UK which started in Mytholmroyd and aims to prevent violence against women and girls. It does this by addressing the root causes of men’s violence against women: harmful attitudes, behaviours around gender and harmful expressions of masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and gender-based violence. Find out more about white ribb...

Viv and Dave talk to Madeleine Brooks and other members of the Gledhill Community Project about their plans to create a safe play and community space with seating, planters and sensory garden on a piece of land used for many years for illegal tipping. The area in Gledhill Street, Todmorden – between Adelaide Street and Victoria Road – needs clearing to make it safe and there is plenty of work for...

Dave & Viv chat with Jenny Shepherd of Ban the Burn and Sarah Crane of For Peat’s Sake about the proposed Wind Farm on Walshaw Moor. They believe this would damage the peat moors which are essential for the environment to slow the flow of water down the hillsides and cause further flood problems for the area. They have had to learn a lot about the science of the environment and keep up to date...

Satnam Singh, post master at Hebden Bridge, Banking Hub manager in Todmorden and charity activist. Satnam does not merely donate, he acts, whether it is jumping out of an airplane or trekking to Everest Base Camp. Satnam puts in a lot of effort for charities, partly because it is a part of his Sikh culture, partly because he’s just a decent man. Listen to his adventures on his eight day trek to Ev...

Satnam Singh is a well known face in Hebden Bridge after running the Post Office for 15 years. He is now getting known in Todmorden as he manages the Banking Hub at Tod College, bringing bank services back to the town. Satnam airs his views on the importance of banking to the community, new technology and his own experiences of the post office scandal. Then Dave asked him about his charity work an...

We are proud to chat with Issy Pollard, Calder Valley's own Lioness, one of the players praised as ground breakers by the current crop of Women's Football Euro Champions, and thanked by them. Issy grew up in Old Town with supportive parents and teachers, was first picked for England at 16, a member of the Euro 97 squad, she now scouts and supports young female footballers. Many also know...

Viv and Dave meet Roger King in Calder Holmes Park Hebden Bridge,  just after a  Dancing for Life session. The group meet every Wednesday morning to dance outdoors, in all weathers, because it is refreshment the mind and body. Roger is also a DJ and counsellor, very Calder Valley.

Listen to Dave talking to Mary Clear, community activist on the importance of kindness and the power of small actions in improving life and environment in the Calder valley and beyond

We’re back! After a break for a couple of months Real Voices of Happy Valley returns as Viv and Dave chat with author and musician Paul Weatherhead, author of several books including ‘Weird Calderdale’, member of The Ukrainians and writer of comedy horror songs. He also has a podcast ‘Monsters, Myths and Maniacs’. Find out more and hear Paul’s podcasts at www.paulweatherhead.com/

The Great Cornholme and Portsmouth Get Together stretches a mile or so along the villages taking in a variety of activities and community groups. Viv and Dave talk to the organisers Rebecca Slaven, Emma Carter and Jim Haughey. Local resident Rebecca is involved in Inspire, Motivate, Transform – feel good movement and dance – and leads a keep fit group, Jim is part of Vale Baptist Church and Emma i...