Okay....so I failed miserably and didn't post  in April! Time just seemed to go by so fast! If I am to do this properly then I most definitley will have to set aside some 'me' time! I note that last time I blogged was whilst at home with a cold. ironically, this time I am once more at home....this time with my right hand encased in rather heavy, white plaster following an operation. I have a new thumb joint! So hopefully, once the cast is of and various bits of metal removed I will be able to start drawing and painting again pain free!


But, enough of that...these are a few things I did intend to tell you about last month!


Firstly- a call out to all you crafty students out there! As part of the Hebden Bridge WI Rag Market and in conjunction with the Hebden Bridge Fringe Festival we are holding a 'Pedlars' day'.....a competition and selling opportunity for students.
Do you make jewellery, bags, clothes or other crafty items to sell?  As part of the popular Hebden Bridge Rag Market on Sunday 1st July you're invited to come and peddle your wares!  There will be a prize for the best barrow, tray, bike or whatever!
Open to School pupils from year 6 upwards and Students in further & higher education. Entry is £5.
As part of the competition, entrants can sell their wares at the Rag market, held in the New Town Hall, and also around St George’s Square, Hebden Bridge.
For more details please contact us through the HB Rag Market Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hebden-Bridge-WI-Rag-Market/107451159343275
or phone Sue on 07944352913 for more details.

April was a busy month in our small market town. Spring, as well as time for the 'For Sale' signs to sprout outside houses along with the daffodils, is time for The Pace Egg Plays and the Rotary Club Duck Race.
Unfortunately the Good Friday weather wasn't too favourable, but that didn't stop the crowds from cheering on the boys from the Calder High School as they performed the Midgley Pace Egg around Hebden Bridge before heading up the Buttress to see the Heptonstall Pace Egg Play.
The Pace Egg is said to be the oldest drama in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt and performed by many civilisations across the centuries.
Now the Pace Egg Play is confined largely to the Calder Valley where it has become an established tradition, played out in all its gory glory on Good Friday. Each year, without fail, St George takes on contenders such as Bold Slasher, the Black Prince of Paradine and Hector, aided and abetted by other equally outrageous characters such as Toss Pot and the Doctor. The costumes - in particular the strange headgear comprising a towering edifice garlanded with flowers, peculiar to the Calder Valley - are as much a part of the fun as the action, where violent sword fights are compulsory as good finally triumphs over evil! Records of performances of the Pace Egg Play  date back to the middle ages but the custom had fallen out of favour until revived in 1952 by Calder High School. Pupils of the school have been performing every Good Friday ever since. The Heptonstall pace egg, which is a slightly different version, was revived in 1979 by the Heptonstall Players.

My son as Bold Slasher wearing the Traditional Midgley Pace Egg Headdress..

 

The Fool, St George, Bold Slasher & Old Tosspot.

The Midgley Pace Egg Performmed by Calder High School

St George triumphs over  Bold Slasher! The Heptonstall Players.

Old Tosspot - alsways a favourite with the Ladies!

The Calder High School boys performed their last show of the day in Heptonstall too.....as the rain grew steadily heavier and temperatures dropped! But the boys' enthusiasm kept them warm along with the knowledge that they had raised £541 this year for Great Generation, Alzheimer's Society and Calder Valley Search and Rescue. The Heptonstall Players raised £677.60 for The Red Cross Syrian Appeal and the Little Theatre, Hebden Bridge.

The Annual Duck Race is held in Hebden Bridge on Bank Holiday Monday. This year....it rained! But the Ducks still swam and people still cheered them on!


And they're off!



The finish line! The little yellow paddlers are collected in for another year

Lots more events to come in our community! Saturday May 26 is the day for all you Vintage lovers to pop into town & visit the Hebden bridge Vintage Fair! Held in the Holme Street Arts Centre I'm sure there wil be lots of fabulous stalls as always I'll certainly be going to see what bargains I can find!

Hebden bridge Vintage Fair Facebook Page

Fun with the blog layout!

Just discovered how to add photos and mess around with layout! What fun!

My next resolution is to change with the seasons! April will officially be springlike! watch this space!

Spring is in the air!

It's March! already! I don't know where the past couple of months went, but they disappeared pretty fast! I originally intended to post at least once a month, but life being what it is, somehow I seem to have lapsed - and it didn't take me long! After reading some of my friends and fellow WI members' blogs I feel I have been shamed into trying again! So...I WILL try to post regularly from now on....and sat at home, feeling bored with the coldy virus thing that has made me feel grotty for the past few days, what better to do than put pen to paper....erm...finger to keyboard...and update a blog? After all - it will save me from the horror that is 'Daytime TV'!

The Egg Stone at Bridestones.

Fine days in January and February meant I could get out and play with my new camera! We had some snow, although not as much as past years I still managed to get out and take photos ready for next year's Calendar! Gloriuos blue skies on a snowy day - what could be more beautiful!

Angelica Heads

 Angelica Ice!

Spring is now most definitely in the air, even up here on our windy hill where the Lapwings can be seen again, bobbing over the moorland. Hares were spotted by a neighbour, racing and boxing in the fields surrounding their house, and Curlews can be heard in the breeze...another significant sign - a breeze not a gale! Although morning frosts and the snow flurry we had yesterday is a reminder that Mother Nature can still surprise us! We had some amazing Icey rain during February. Everything looked as if it was encased in glass. Despite the lethal footpaths and black ice on the roads - it did look beautiful!

Sunrise over icy field, Blackshaw Head

There are a lot of events coming up this year. Hebden Bridge is a thriving artistic community so I'll try to announce anything of interest well in advance! Who knows - you may want to visit!

Easter brings the Pace Egg Plays, the Traditional Pace Egg Play performed in Heptonstall throughout the day, and the Midgley Pace Egg, performed by students from The Calder High School at locations around the Upper Calder Valley, with their last performance of the day at Weavers Square in Heptonstall. My son has already started rehersals -this year playing Bold Slasher - a part he has wanted to play since a little boy, when he would re-enact the battle with St George with his wooden sword. This time the swords are blunt steel and he's a lanky teenager! There have ben no injuries.....so far!

From then on there is a full Calendar! Duck Race, Blackshaw Head Plant sale and Craft Fair, Hebden Brideg Blues Festival, Handmade Parade, Arts Festival, Vintage Car Rally and not forgetting WI Rag Market and countless Arts & Craft Fairs and The Blackshaw Head Fete! .....A busy year in a small part of the Pennines....and I know there's loads more going on, but I can't keep track!

This weekend we are hoping for sunny skies to bring the tourists in! I will be busy at both the Holme Street Arts Centre on Saturday and Lee's Yard in Hebden Bridge with my stalls at the Craft Markets. New cushions made from recycled vintage fabrics and lavendar hearts - perfect for Mother's Day!