As spring arrives, English Tourism Week is upon us and we challenge you to become a tourist in your own town.
When you go on holiday you may go to the Visitor Centre to get your information.
Then, armed with new found knowledge you eagerly visit as much as possible in the limited but enjoyable time you have.
Maybe visit an art gallery, eat at a nice restaurant, catch a show, visit a museum or just simply explore.
Well, read on and find out more of what’s available on your doorstep . . .
Introducing the towns, villages and special corners of Calderdale we are proud to call home.
The name Calderdale is a clue, the River Calder and its valleys that link us together.
The open fields of the lower valleys give way to the South Pennine moors.
Halifax is Calderdale’s largest town and is still one of the most complete Victorian townscapes in Britain where magnificent architecture meets dramatic moorland. Halifax is a treasure of a town.
Why not revisit the Piece Hall and browse the independent shops for that special gift, indulge in some retail therapy at Harveys Department Store; pay a visit to our own Victorian Market or take a free guided tour around the 900 year old Minster Church of St John the Baptist? call 01422 355436 to find out more.
Halifax boasts the national Children’s Museum Eureka! That will soon celebrate the opening of the ‘All About Me’ gallery.
Brighouse, home to the Calder & Hebble Navigation since 1770 is an up and coming tourist town with frequent farmers markets, numerous festivals and for all those adrenalin junkies!,
ROKT, the biggest indoor climbing gym in Yorkshire.
Take in a film at the vintage Rex Cinema in Elland, one of Calderdale’s oldest towns.
Why not enjoy the foodie culture of Sowerby Bridge and dramatic canal regeneration including Tuel Lane Lock, the deepest in Britain.
In Mytholmroyd explore ‘Coiners Country’ former haunt of an infamous counterfeiting gang.
Travel up the valley to Hebden Bridge for the independent shops and creative lifestyle. Canal walks link the Alternative Technology Centre, The Art Deco picture house and the Visitor Centre.
Climb the cobbled Buttress up to Heptonstall, the best preserved of Pennine weaving villages with its own heritage trail - oh and two pubs!. Visit the museum and Wesley’s octagonal chapel, a landmark of
non conformism. Feminist icon, and poet Silvia Plath is buried in Heptonstall Churchyard. Don those walking boots and take a hike up to Stoodley Pike via Mankinholes, once this quaint hamlet was on a busy major route - the Hebden Bridge Rochdale Packhorse road.
Ripponden in the Ryburn Valley hugs a gem of a medieval packhorse bridge leading to the 14th century Old Bridge Inn. Ripponden was home to one of the world’s first co-operative societies.
Near the head of the valley and near the end of this literary tour of Calderdale meet Todmorden, a place of character.
More recently famous for Incredible Edible Todmorden, a campaign for local food and of course ‘The Lucky Dog’ sitting patiently in Centre Vale Park waiting to be patted.
This busy market town is a hub for hill sports such as fell running and mountain biking.
WHAT AMAZING THINGS ARE ON OFFER IN CALDERDALE DURING THE REST OF ENGLISH TOURISM WEEK 2013?
Thursday March 21
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
(7.30pm) Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax. Adapted by Theresa Heskins from the novel by C.S. Lewis, a cast of 35 young actors aged 15 to 19 bring to life this classic children’s tale of good versus evil. £6 - £8 (Runs until Saturday 23rd March).
The Solid Silver 60’s Show
(7.30pm) Victoria Theatre, Halifax. Now in its 28th year the show features the unforgettable talents of Mike Pender the original voice of The Searchers, Dave Berry and Wayne Fontana, all backed by New Amen Corner, and with special guests The Merseybeats. Hear the classic hits performed by the original hitmakers! £21.50 - £25.50
Friday March 22
Tommy Emmanuel & Martin Taylor
(7.30pm) Victoria Theatre, Halifax. Two of the world’s greatest acoustic guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor, embark on a collaborative UK tour in March 2013 entitled The Colonel and the Governor. This incredible show will see both guitarists playing together and separately. £20- £22.
Saturday March 23
Bankfield Chronicles Victorian Murder Mystery
(1pm-3pm) Bankfield Musuem, Halifax. Join us for a murder mystery afternoon at Bankfield Musuem. Follow two Victorian characters and try to solve the mystery at the mansion! Adults £7 Children £5 (Booking essential – ring 01422 352334).
Brighouse Art Circle Exhibition
(10am-4pm) Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse. An exhibition of work from members of this popular local art society. (Runs until 11th May 2013)
Free Entry.
Wine & Cookery Course
The Cooking School at Dean Clough. If you want to know how you can compliment the flavours in your cooking with the perfect wine accompaniment, then this is the course for you. £145 (Booking essential – ring 01422 383192).
Sunday March 24
Calderdale Heritage Walk: Northowram
(2pm) Northowram, Halifax Northowram is an old township going back to Domesday. It has many aspects to its story, many interesting buildings and is important in non-conformist history too. Meet David Nortcliffe by Northowram Parish Church alongside the A6036 at 2pm. £3
The Gardener
(2.30pm) Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax. Harry has been happy in his garden for many years. But now he can’t quite remember what his plants are called. By award-winning writer Mike Kenny, this tale of beans, slugs and compost is told using rhymes, rhythms, movement and fun. Age 3 to 7 Lasts 55 minutes. £8
Halifax Choral Society Spring Classics
(4pm) Victoria Theatre, Halifax. Featuring: Anton Bruchner; Mass in E Minor Igor Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms George Friderick Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks Conductor – John Pryce-Jones. £10 – £22.
Eureka!
Celebrating National Science & Engineering Week(end) on 16 & 17 March with construction toy workshops:
https://www.eureka.org.uk/events/national-science-engineering-week/ for more
details
Bankfield Museum Quentin Blake exhibition
“As Large as Life” and a new exhibition called “An Embroiders Journey in Stitches” by textile artist Vivienne Brown, both are well worth a visit and free!
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