Creativity can foster healthy body and mind

Amy Harbour, Director of The Town Hall in Hebden Bridge where the Staying Well hub is based explains “We’re in the heart of a creative area chock full of talented people willing to teach others.

If you’re looking to learn something new in a creative field, you’re definitely in the right place to do it.”

If you’re still not sure what kinds of art and craft classes are out there, here’s a quick run-down of what’s happening in the area.

Northlight Art Education runs a range of courses in artistic disciplines at different skill levels. They’ve just released their autumn programme which features life drawing, ceramics, stained glass, textiles, spinning, printing and painting techniques taught by talented local artists.

Artsmill on Linden Road also offers a select programme of life drawing and painting courses using their connection with artists.

The Egg Factory on Victoria Road is creative co-working space which has unusual workshops for you to get your teeth into.

Their latest programme (which can be found at www.theeggfactory.co) has an exciting selection including making bird feeders, fabric decoupage, enchanted forest in a box, and nonsense flying machines.

Every last Sunday of month The Egg Factory host a print club, focusing on teaching and learning new printing techniques.

It’s £20 for the day and everyone is invited to come along and get involved.

If you’re a novice in sewing, knitting and crochet, Ribbon Circus on Market Street is where you’ll find a regular schedule of beginner workshops. Helen and Caroline offer a helping hand in getting to grips with your sewing machine, crochet hook or knitting needles and are famous for the tea, coffee and cake selection.

Their dates throughout the summer can be found at www.ribboncircus.com.

B Beads in Hebden Bridge runs free weekly jewellery making classes; just pop along and pay for the materials you use in your creation.

Billie is on hand to help you through any tricky bits of your make and you’ll leave a beautiful new piece created by your own hand.

Luddendenfoot Community Association run an art and crafts class which runs the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month.

They meet at Luddendenfoot Civic Institute and present a wide range of different activities.

For people who feel a little more uncertain, Staying Well has supported daytime art classes for beginners at Heptonstall Bowling Club and Wadsworth Community Centre.

Heptonstall Village Team can also help with transport provision if you’d like to attend their fortnightly class.

If you’d like more information about any activities happening in Hebden Bridge (not just in art and crafts), pick up a Staying Well leaflet in hairdressers, post offices and public buildings in Hebden

Bridge and the surrounding villages.

Helen Doodson is the Staying Well Worker based at The Town Hall and can be contacted on 01422 392707 or by e-mail on [email protected].