St James the Great Hebden Bridge

Saturday 11th May 7-10 pm ChoirFest

Nine valley choirs are coming together to raise money for the local charity Music4Many. Find out about this charity here: https://music4themany.com/

You are invited to come and enjoy the evening and perhaps be inspired to consider joining one of the participating community choirs.

Admission is either by purchasing a ticket for £5/£7 (see QR code on the poster) or on the door - cash on the door is preferred. There will also be an alternative option to make a donation on the door instead. We do not want cost to be a barrier to your participation and enjoyment.

Sunday 12th May 7–9pm. St James’ is the venue for another concert with Amer-Imeri ensemble (winner of the 2022 Georgian National Folklore Festival) and Mtiebi on tour from the Republic of Georgia. Doors open 6.30pm. Earlier in the day the choir are holding a workshop in Todmorden. A discount is available for people also attending Saturday’s ChoirFest event. Full details are here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pitchblend/1165591

This was the programme.

26th May 3 pm to 5 pm at St James’ Church – Platinum Jubilee Craft Workshop

Although there will be a few simple activities available on the 5th June, accompanied children are invited to drop-in to this workshop and make their own memorial book to complete during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend. If participants wish, the completed booklets may be displayed in the exhibition 5th-12th June.

As well as 70 years being our head of state, the Queen also has the role of head of the Church of England.

With thanks to Hebden Royd Town Council for providing a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee grant, St James invites the local community of Mytholm to a free celebration over the four-day extended Bank Holiday weekend to be held at St. James Church, Church Lane, Hebden Bridge HX7 6DS

2nd to 5th June, anytime between 11 am and 3 pm - Exhibition about Mytholm during the last 70 years, charting the changes in the life of the local community since 1952 and changes during that time in areas such as fashions, toys, games, food, drinks, sweets, weddings, memories. Hebden Royd School will also be marking their postponed 150th anniversary with an exhibition of the history of the school.

5th June between 12 pm and 2 pm - A pot-luck picnic where local people bring their own picnic to eat on their own blanket or chairs either at the church or on the nearby field. For those who may not be able to provide their own picnic, there will be some “Food Share” items available. In the event of wet weather, St John’s room at the church will be used.

There will be a professionally-made cake in the shape of a 2D Coronation Crown on display until about 1 pm. On arrival at the church, people will be asked to collect a ticket for a free slice of either sponge cake, fruit cake or vegan cake in exchange for their ticket after 1 pm. The colour theme for the Platinum Jubilee is purple, which the church will be using for decorations and flowers, together with the union flag. We encourage you to wear something purple or dress in 1952 fashions.

Visitors from Rochdale Town Hall

On 12th June we welcomed volunteers from Rochdale Town Hall and showed them around the church and in particular telling them about our set of stained glass windows made by Heaton Butler and Bayne, the same company who was also making the Rochdale Town Hall glass around the same period.

Coronation Weekend 6th-8th May

6th-8th May St James’ celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III. The church was decorated, including Harvey's Coronation-themed flower arrangements and plenty of bunting put up by the Community Payback Team. There was an exhibition about Prince Charles’ visits to Hebden Bridge and how Hebden Bridge celebrated past Coronations. The church was open every day for people to call in. On the Coronation Day, several people rang St James’ one bell just before the Coronation began and when the Westminster Abbey bells rang at the end. More came to see the exhibition including one couple who were married in St James' 34 years ago. About 40 people dropped in for The Big Lunch on Sunday. Vicky's cake soon vanished.