Banish those seasonal blues by keeping active, writes Helen Doodson, of Staying Well

Just in case you missed them here is a round up of the kind of things that you could get involved with, if you’re looking for something to keep you entertained now that the summer is over.

Amy Harbour, Director of Hebden Bridge Community Association says “There really is something for everyone, whether it’s keeping your mind active, your body moving, getting arty or meeting like-minded people for a natter and something to eat”.

Tea & IT is gentle introduction to computers and getting online and takes place on Tuesday mornings at the Town Hall, Hebden Bridge. WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) has a hugely varied programme of part time adult education courses and U3A is a worldwide education movement for older people no longer in full time work with special interest groups that cover everything from learning and improving languages to opera appreciation and everything in-between. Hebden Bridge Local History Society has a programme of lectures focused on local history.

For those who prefer to keep fit and active there are clinical pilates classes, gentle exercise, yoga and Nia Barefoot fitness as well as yoga classes, sequence dancing and keep fit. If arts and crafts are your thing, then you’re spoilt for choice. Heptontstall Village Team run a fortnightly art class where everyone from beginners upwards are welcome to try their hand at a range of different art techniques. Jennifer Lythgoe, an art club regular, says: “It is just wonderful to have something so local to go to. Our art teacher Dorothy Simister makes you feel at ease straight away”.

Wadsworth Community Centre run a weekly art class too and there are a wide range of workshops and classes run by The Egg Factory, Artsmill and Northlight Art Studios, and not forgetting all things textile related with Chatty Crochet, Ribbon Circus and Word of Mouth.

Culture vultures have a regular monthly Café Culture event at the Town Hall, Hebden Bridge and classic films are on offer at the Luddendenfoot Civic Institute cinema club and Saturday Team Time Classics at the Hebden Bridge Picture House. If performing arts are more your thing, there are weekly Singalong with John sessions, Calder Valley Voices and Calder Valley Women Singers to warm up your vocal chords. Washday Workshops are monthly performance based theatre workshops delivered by leading practitioners.

For social events there are weekly Chatty Café gatherings at Hope Baptist Church, Chess Club meetings, community quiz and curry nights at the Trades Club and a smorgasbord of lunch clubs up and down the Calder Valley. Brenda Greenwood, a lunch club regular, says: “I look forwards to the lunches, it is a chance to get out of the house and mix”.