Another New Year comes around with its challenges and changes, and as we always hope, good fortune for all.

Most of us will have experienced how our aspirations, wishes and dreams change quite dramatically as the years come and go. Compromise prevails and works well on most occasions. Memories of years past, plans for years to come, all part of the rich pattern.

In my year as Chairman, one of my ambitions is to raise as much money as possible for local charities. As the Chairman of the Council serves as honorary president of the Holmfirth Macmillan Cancer Support Group, I have chosen this deserving cause as one of my charities. My other beneficiaries being young person’s groups and organisations in our area, working on a non-profit making basis.

I am looking to further involvement in a number of events to raise funds to support these local groups and indeed would appreciate any ideas to assist me to achieve my aims in financing these good causes.

In the coming year, our Parish Council will continue to work hard in support of our local communities and to preserve and enhance the wonderful locality we have chosen to call home.

Happy New Year

Cllr Trevor Bellamy, Chairman 2008/2009
Holme Valley Parish Council

The Chairman, Cllr Trevor Bellamy, and Vice-chairman, Cllr Judith Roberts, will attend many events throughout the Civic Year. This page will have a diary of forthcoming events as well as reports and photographs of a number of those events.

• Friday 30th January 2009:Saddleworth Parish Council - Civic Ball - Cllr & Mrs T Bellamy - to be confirmed.

• Saturday 7th March 2009:Mossley Town Council - Civic Reception & Ball - Cllr & Mrs T Bellamy - to be confirmed.
• Friday 13th March 2009:Mirfield Town Council - Civic Dinner - Cllr & Mrs T Bellamy to attend.
• Saturday 28th March 2009:Holmfirth Choral Society - 'Creation' - Holmfirth Civic Hall, 7.15pm - Cllr and Mrs T Bellamy to attend.

The Chairman and Lady of Holme Valley Parish Council, Councillor Trevor and Mrs. Kath Bellamy, welcomed 170 guests to their Civic Sunday celebrations at St. David's Church, Holmbridge followed by Tea at St David's parish hall.

There was a strong emphasis on youth at the service. The talented young people of the Sally French Singers performed six pieces. Hinchliffe Mill J& I School's Handbell Ringers played for the invited guest and a reading was done by Matthew Woodhead of Holmfirth High School.

"The service was superb, beyond our expectations. It was a wonderful blend of a traditional service with a warm family atmosphere. It was great to see so many young people with their families. I would like to thank my wife Kath and all who assisted her with the buffet, the Revd Banks and his team for all their help, all the excellent performers for making the day so special and last but not least to thank everyone who came along to share this marvellous day with us"

Cllr Trevor Bellamy, Chairman 2008/2009
Holme Valley Parish Council

To read and download the press release click here.

It is with pride and honour I take up the post of Chairman of the Holme Valley Parish Council for the coming civic year 2008-09.

I have been a Parish Councillor since the late 1990s and have gained a great deal of satisfaction in representing and working for the residents of the Holme Valley.

We have all welcomed many new families into the Valley and seen significant numbers of new residential developments in most of our villages.

Young people are the future for our many diverse areas of this Valley. Let us support and encourage them to the best of our ability.

Having said that, let us not forget 'Grey Power': knowledge, experience and wisdom; with a wealth of these qualities in the Valley, as a Council we appreciate and will value their contributions to help the area progress. The Council must continue to move forward, but with a periodic glance back as it goes.

Your Parish Council comprises 22 elected members, all of whom give their time and enthusiasm voluntarily, for the benefit of our local communities.

Holme Valley Parish Council holds and retains Quality Council status which is an award that many councils aspire to. I look forward to taking advantage of and promoting the opportunities which become available to the Council to enhance our communities as a result of this benchmark.

As your new Parish Council Chairman, I look forward to a year of challenges and changes, and to consolidating the achievements of my predecessors.

During my civic year I intend to raise monies for local charities through fund-raising events held within the Parish.

My wife Kath and I look forward to representing the Holme Valley during our year of office.

Cllr. Trevor Bellamy
Chairman of the Council, 2008-09

• Saturday 13th December 2008:Holmfirth Choral Society - 'Magnificat', 'Worthy is the Lamb' and 'Amen' - Holmfirth Civic Hall, 7.15pm
• Monday 15th December 2008:Civic Carol Service - Holmfirth Parish Church (in conjunction with Holmfirth High School)
• Sunday 21st December 2008:Civic Carol Service - St David's Church

The Parish Council will be represented at a number of Remembrance Services in the Valley on Sunday 9 November

• 10.45am, Remembrance Service, Holy Trinity Church, Holmfirth, followed by short service and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial, Holme Valley Memorial Hospital at 12 noon, Cllr Bellamy.
• Brockholes War Memorial, Cllr Mrs B E Smith
• Hepworth War Memorial, Cllrs R P Dixon and T Dixon
• Holmbridge War Memorial, Cllr Mrs J Osborn
• Honley War Memorial, Cllr Mrs M Bower
• Netherthong War Memorial, Cllr Cllr Mrs J Roberts
• New Mill War Memorial, Cllr D Firth
• Upperthong War Memorial, Cllrs G Cropper and A Otterburn

Other events in November

• Saturday 8th November 2008:Holmfirth Choral Society - 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast' and 'Carmina Burana' - Holmfirth Civic Hall, 7.15pm - Cllr and Mrs T Bellamy to attend.
• Saturday 29th November 2008:Holmfirth Christmas Lights to be turned on - Cllr T Bellamy.

• 16 October 2008, Girlguiding Agbrigg Division - AGM, Holmfirth Parish Church. Cllr Bellamy.

• 21 September, 11.00am, Denby Dale Parish Council Civic Service, St Michaels Church, Emley. Cllr and Mrs Bellamy.
• 24 September 2008, 7pm-9pm, Joint Liaison Meeting, Parish/Town Councils and Kirklees, at Mirfield Town Council Offices. Cllrs Kaye, Mrs Roberts and Clerk.
• 25 September 2008, 7.30pm, HV District Scout Council AGM, New Mill WMC. Cllr Bellamy.
• 28 September, 1.00pm, The Mayor of Calderdale's Civic Service and Parade, Elland. Cllr and Mrs Bellamy.
• 26-28 September, Regional Training Partnership Conference, Cllr Mrs Roberts.

• Upper Holme Valley Team Ministry, Tuesday 26th August. Cllr. Mrs Judith Roberts.
• Holmbridge Village Day, Saturday 30 August 2008. Cllr Trevor Bellamy and Cllr. Mrs Judith Roberts.

• 5 July 2008, Holmfirth artWEEK Preview, Civic Hall, Holmfirth. Cllr. Mrs Judith Roberts.
• 6 July, Meltham Town Council Civic Service, Meltham. Cllr. Mrs Judith Roberts.
• 13 July, 9.30, Ripponden Parish Civic Service, Ripponden. Cllr Trevor Bellamy.
• 13 July, 2.30, Hebden Royd Parish Civic Service, Hebden Royd. Cllr Trevor Bellamy.
• 13 July 10.30, Mirfield Town Council Civic Service, Mirfield. Cllr. Mrs Judith Roberts.

• 7 June, 7.30pm, Holmfirth Festival Opening Night, Holmfirth Parish Church. Cllr Trevor Bellamy.
• 8 June 2008, 3.00pm Civic Service, at St David's Parish Church, Holmbridge. Cllr Trevor Bellamy.
• 14 June,7.30pm, Hade Edge Band Centenary Concert, Huddersfield Town Hall. Cllr Judith Roberts.
• 15 June, Saddleworth Civic Service and Procession, Saddleworth. Cllr Judith Roberts.
• 21 June, New Mill Gala, New Mill. Cllr Judith Roberts.