5 Positive Things To Do This Week for the Calder Valley

Painting by Julia Ogden

Happy New Year all! I hope you all had a rested break full of all the good things and lots of merriment.

If you’ve read/seen the news you might have heard that Hebden Bridge, amongst other northern towns and villages, was devastated by the Boxing Day floods. It’s been a pretty crummy time to be honest; and the weeks, months, year ahead will be hard for lots of homes and businesses, including the cinema I work for. Our home (and thank you for all your messages by the way) is safe and we can’t believe how lucky we are.

I think everyone in the town would love to feel a pinch of the normality of going back to work that the rest of the UK will be experiencing this week, but recovery after such an event will take time and strength.

But, my friends, there has also been great things happening in the town. Namely people. The support of residents and volunteers has been overwhelming and bloody brilliant. People from all backgrounds, from across the UK, have rallied around our community, knee deep in mud, and shown us that community spirit doesn’t begin and end in the Valley. Hurrah for that.

Anyway, now to some special positive things to do this week…

1| We need support in many ways. Reading and signing these petitions can help: ban driven grouse, dredge the River Calder, government to apply for the EU Solidarity Fund, make flood rescue a statutory duty of fire and rescue services and provide funding.

2| Donate to the Calderdale Flood Relief Appeal

3| Buy local as much as you can. Shops and cafes are reopening as we speak, but most will take time. As soon as I’ve done some proper research I’m going to list any shops locally that sell their products online (where stock was saved) so you can spend any of your Christmas pennies! For people who live further afield, this will help businesses bring in money while their premises are being renovated/relocated. Watch this space.

4| If you want to help in other ways visit the Calder Valley Flood Support Facebook Group for updated and detailed information.

5| Put the Calder Valley on your ‘must visit in 2016’ travel list!

Brew up and see more 5 Positive Things To Do This Week posts here. Oh and don’t forget to share your positive moments over on Instagram and tag with #sharethepositive

♥