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