Gomersal, Birkenshaw and East Bierley residents’ Handbook

'A local guide to local services for local people' SPRING 2013 Issue 16

Delivered FREE to 5,000 homes

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Please mention and Birkenshaw LIVING when responding to adverts Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING 3 INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

Hello and welcome to Gomersal and mobile library, U3A and Antiques Circle Birkenshaw Living spring 2013. in the free community information in the I hope you are well. Once again I would middle of the magazine. like to welcome our new advertisers And our Focus in this edition is on and thank our now loyal advertisers for Birkenshaw business King Street Motors. their continued support. Don’t forget Read how owner Jon Gregson has turned to support your local businesses, they a childhood passion into a thriving help make the area what it is. business. By now the area should be shrouded in Until next time, daffodils—it makes a pleasant change Brigid Shaw, Editor to the chilly winter weather and snow we have had. But it was nice to see the 07904 018294 snow brought out people’s creative side from a vast array of snowmen (and [email protected] snow ladies, as my daughter and her friend created) to a fantastic igloo I CONTENTS spotted in Fusden Lane, Gomersal—see the picture on page 26. Well done to Focus on King Street Motors P29-30 whoever made that, a career in architecture or building awaits! Community information P15-19 Check out the new details for the Advertisers Index P30 Citizen’s Advice Bureau, schools and

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Monday New Group 10am Also 5.30 & 7.30pm Whitcliffe Hotel, Sarah 07801 817558

Tuesday 5.30 & 7.30pm Gomersal Public Hall Sarah 07801 817558

Wednesday 9.30am, 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30pm Birstall Community Centre Yvonne 07727 137854

7.30pm St Luke’s Parish Church, East Bierley Paul 07848 958798

Thursday 5.30 & 7.30pm Birkenshaw Community Hall Gillian 07704 078196

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and

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Please mention Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING when responding to adverts Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING 15 USEFUL CONTACTS

Police Crimestoppers 0800 555111 Email: Gomersal 01924 295357 Acting Non-emergencies 0845 6060606 [email protected] Inspector David Whitfield Email:[email protected] olice.uk Birkenshaw neighbourhood Pc Jeremy Saville nn.uk inspector Neil Money 01924 295301

Kirklees Council www..gov.uk 01484 221000 01274 335029 Buses - Metro Wellington House 0113 251 7272 / 0113 245 7676 40-50 Wellington Street LS1 2DE . Email: [email protected] National Rail Enquiries www.thetrainline.com 08457 484950 NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk 0845 4647 Dewsbury and District Hospital Halifax Road 0844 8118110 Dewsbury, WF13 4HS York House Surgery/ 284a Oxford Road 01274 852985 Cherry Tree Surgery Gomersal, BD194PY Blackburn Road Town Street 01924 478265 Medical Centre Birkenshaw BD11 2HX

Northgate Dental Practice 5 Northgate 01274 874272 Cleckheaton BD19 3HH

Greenside Dental Clinic 1 Mortimer Street 01274 851582 Cleckheaton BD19 5AR

Gomersal Pharmacy 260 Oxford Road 01274 852321 Gomersal Lloyds Pharmacy Town Street 01274 688662 Birkenshaw BD11 2HX

Smell gas? Transco 0800 111999 Electricity power loss 0800 375675

Yorkshire Water PO Box 52 0845 1242424 , BD3 7YD

Citizens Advice Bureau Cleckheaton Library Tues 10am 0844 8487970 for advice to 1pm 01484 451381 to make an appt Appointments only

PDSA PetAid Hospital The Jeanne Marchig Centre 01274 740070 1 Lorne Street www.pdsa.org.uk East Bowling,Bradford, BD4 7PS

Free community information advertising here:email [email protected] call 07904 018294 16 CLUBSCLUBS ANDAND SOCIETIESSOCIETIES

East Bierley Ladies Guild St Luke’s Church Hall, last Mrs Maureen Peel Tuesday of each month. 2pm 01274 682777

Younger Retirees Gomersal Public Hall Elizabeth Hilton Thursday 1.30-4.30pm 01274 875048 (ring first)

Dog Training Gomersal Public Hall Christine Redfearn Monday 7.15pm (follow-on class) 01924 474580 St Paul’s Church Hall, Birkenshaw Puppy training Friday 6.45pmAdolescents 7.30pm SureStart Gomersal and Range of activities including stay 01274 335283 Littletown Children’s Centre and play; women’s therapy [email protected] St Mary’s School group; young parents group; Shirley Avenue childminders support group; Stay and Play contact Gomersal baby massage; breastfeeding 01924 335283 support group; antenatal clinic; [email protected] baby bistro; etc Birkenshaw Baby and Toddler Scout Hut, Bradford Birkenshaw [email protected] Group Term-time Tuesday 9.15-11.15am up to 4 years Thursday 9.20-11.15am newborn to 24 months 10 o’clock Club St Mary’s Church, Spen Lane Tina Sheard 01274 871125 Gomersal [email protected] Every Thursday term-time and alternate in school holidays £1 per family,9.30-11am Mobile Library BIRKENSHAW GOMERSAL Old Lane, Birkenshaw Bar, Drub Lane, Monday, Weekly, Tues 11.30am – Fortnightly, 4.10pm – 4.40pm 12.30pm. Gomersal Public Hall, Monday, Birkenshaw Lane, Birkenshaw Fortnightly, 3.30pm – 4.00pm Bottoms, Mon Fortnightly Robertson 5.20pm – 6.50pm Terrace, Monday, Fortnightly, 2. Bradford Road (Bowling Club), 00pm – 2.30pm Mon Fortnightly, 3.35pm – Sherwood Avenue, Monday, 4.35pm Fortnightly, 2.45pm – 3.15pm Wellington Court, Mon, Town Hill Square, Little Fortnightly,2.50pm – 3.30pm Gomersal, Mon, 2.30pm Fortnightly, 2.00pm –

The Antiques Circle The Whitcliffe Hotel, Prospect Every 2nd Tues 7.30pm Sept—Apr Road, Cleckheaton, BD19 3HD Cynthia Church 01924 496498

Cleckheaton U3A Cleckheaton Town Hall Margaret 01274 873354 October to March, Mon-Fri Caroline 01274 877357 daytime only

Spen Valley Historical Society Meets 2nd Weds of the month Kathryn Harrison 07866 310162 7.30pm St Paul’s Church Hall, chair@spenvalleyhistoricalsociety Bradford Road, Cleckheaton .org.uk

Free community information advertising here:email [email protected] call 07904 018294 Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING 17 CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

A number of Rainbows and Brownie Meetings take place in this area. For To enquire about Packs in the area more details contact: joining please visit www.girlguiding.org .uk/interested or call 0800 1695901 5th Spen Valley Scout Group Gomersal Public Hall; Friday Beavers Yvonne Lewis 01924 5.30pm; Cubs 6.30-8pm 444904 Scouts 8-9.30pm www.5thspen.co.uk

7th Spen Valley (Gomersal) Scout Scout HQ, Shirley Road, Gomersal Paul Wilkinson GSL Group Beavers Tuesday 6.15-7.15pm 01274 875285 Cubs Thursday 6.30-8pm www.7thspenvalley. Scouts Friday 7.15-9pm co.uk

1st Spen Valley (Birkenshaw) Scout Scout HQ, St Paul’s Church, Bradford Gillian Caine 01274 Group Road, Birkenshaw. Tues Beavers 6- 681689 715pm; Thurs Cubs 6.30-8; Fri Scouts 7.30-9

Women’s Institute Gomersal Public Hall; Third Weds of Visitors and new each month 7.30pm members always welcome

Birkenshaw Townswomen’s Guild St Paul’s Community Hall 01274 873896 Bradford Road Jean- First and third Wednesday of the [email protected] month 7.30pm.

Cleckheaton U3A Cleckheaton Town Hall www.communicate. Oct-March Mon-Frid, co.uk/brad/ daytime only.Enrol Frid Sept 28 cleckheatonu3a Margaret 01274 873354 MP AND COUNCILLORS

BATLEY AND SPEN MP Surgeries 10am surgery by Mike Wood Town Hall housing office recep- appt only. (Contact Labour tion; constituency office) 01274 335233 Cleckheaton Mayor’s Parlour [email protected] Birstall Library Market Street. 11.30am surgery on a first come, first served basis. 9 Cross Crown Street Cleckheaton BD19 3HW

COUNCILLORS Contact Kirklees Council for more Tel 01484 information 221000 Free community information advertising here:email [email protected] call 07904 018294 18 CHURCHES

GOMERSAL Gomersal Methodist Church Latham Lane 01274 681939 BD19 4AW Rev Graham Edwards St Mary the Blessed Virgin C of E Spen Lane, BD19 4LS Church wardens 01274 875285 Sunday 8am, 9.30am 01274 873256 Gomersal Moravian Church 177 Quarry Road 0113 2564828 Gomersal, BD19 4JB michael_k_newman@ btconnect.com www.moravian.org.uk/gomersal Gomersal URC Oxford Road, BD19 4JS [email protected] Rev Alison Termie Sunday 10.30am & 6pm BIRKENSHAW St Paul’s Church of Bradford Road [email protected] Church BD11 2AU 01274 683776 Birkenshaw Bottoms Methodist Moor Lane 01274 681939 Church Birkenshaw,BD11 2HH Rev Graham Edwards Birkenshaw Methodist Church 597 Bradford Road BD11 2AQ 01274 681939 Sunday 9.30am & 10.30am Rev Graham Edwards BIRSTALL Birstall St Patrick’s Catholic Low Lane, WF17 9HD 01924 472257 Church. Fr David Sunday 10am; Saturday 6pm

EAST BIERLEY

East Bierley Methodist Church Hunsworth Lane BD4 6PU 01274 681939 Rev G Edwards St Luke’s Church South View Road Rev Martin Lowles 01274 683776 ENTERTAINMENT/LEISURE/SPORT , Gomersal Oxford Road, BD19 4JP 01274 335100 and Country Park Nutter Lane, Birstall 01924 326240 Gomersal Cricket Club Oxford Road 01274 874100 Spen Victoria Cricket, Bowling and Spen Lane 01274 874355 Athletic Club Gomersal Fan Wood Scout Campsite Ferrand Lane 01274 876682 Gomersal BD19 4DA www.spenvalley.org.uk Birkenshaw Park (Veteran Crown Bradford Road 01274 683019 Green Bowling Club) Birkenshaw BD11 2AX [email protected] Princess Mary Athletics Stadium Bradford Road 01274 335139 Littletown, Cleckheaton Pool and Sports Com- Bradford Road 01274 335140 plex WF15 6LW www.spenboroughpool.co.uk [email protected] Showcase Cinema Bankwood Way 0871 2208000 Birstall WF17 9TB

East Bierley Cricket Club South View Road 01274 681488 Free community information advertising here:email [email protected] call 07904 018294 Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING 19

FROM TOTS TO TEENS

Gomersal St Mary’s CE Primary Shirley Avenue 01274 335260 School Gomersal, BD19 4NA Email of- [email protected] Gomersal Primary School Oxford Road 01274 335220 BD19 3YA Email gomer- [email protected] Birkenshaw CE Primary School Station Lane 01274 335400 BD11 2JE Email of- fice.birkenshawprimary@edukirk lees.net BBG Academy Bradford Road, Gomersal, BD19 01274 335208 4BE Email of- fice.birkenshawmid@edukirklees .net East Bierley First School South View Road 01274 3354040 BD4 6PH

NURSERIES Little Acorns Day Nursery 29 Reform Street 01274 872877 Gomersal, BD19 4JX Birkenshaw Kindergarten 38 Old Lane Catherine Flynn 01274 689099 BD11 2JX Email: birkenshawkindergar- [email protected] www.birkenshawkindergarten.co. uk Helen Howes Private Day 559-564 Bradford Road Mrs Helen Howes Nursery Birkenshaw 01274 681643 BD11 2AQ [email protected] PLAYGROUPS Latham Lane Playgroup The Grove URC 07734 603355 Oxford Road Gomersal BD19 4JR Birkenshaw Village Playgroup Birkenshaw Community Hall Sarah Huggett Bradford Road 07758 815407 BD11 2AU OUT OF SCHOOL CLUBS Gomersal Out of School Club Gomersal Public Hall Barbara Afford 07775 834111 Oxford Road [email protected] BD19 4JP Rhythm Time, early learning The Grove URC Tuesdays and Lauren 0113 2524871 through music Fridays

East Bierley Pre-School St Luke’s Church, South View Managers Viv Sedman and Sarah Road. Mon, Thurs, Fri 8.45am Brown 01274 653827 until 3.15pm; Tues & Weds 8.45am to 12.15

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Due to popular demand classes now available on Wednesday for Ladies and Children aged 11+

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Chocolate Easter Egg nest cakes Ingredients · 225g/8oz plain chocolate broken into pieces · 2 tbsp golden syrup · 50g/2oz butter · 75g/3oz cornflakes · 36 mini chocolate eggs

Preparation method 1. Line a 12-hole fairy cake tin with paper cases. 2. Melt the chocolate, golden syrup and butter in a bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water, (do not let the base of the bowl touch the water). Stir the mixture until smooth. 3. Remove the bowl from the heat and gently stir in the cornflakes until all of the cereal is coated in the chocolate. 4. Divide the mixture between the paper cases and press 3 chocolate eggs into the centre of each nest. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour, or until completely set.

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Please mention Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING when responding to adverts 26 Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING Advertising in Igloo built in Fusden Lane, Gomersal, in January’s snow. I’m impressed! GB LIVING

Mini GBL (business card size) £20 Quarter page in full colour £35 Half page in full colour £60 Full page in full colour £100 Inside front/back page £125 Back page £140 (discounts available for bookings of 3 editions or more)

The deadline for the SUMMER edition is JUNE 1

Please call Brigid on 07904 018294 or email [email protected]

HA, HA, HA, HEE, HEE, HEE Son: yes it is… no it isn’t… yes it is… no it isn’t. Why isn’t your nose twelve inches long?

Because then it would be a foot. Son: Can we play darts, dad?

Dad: Ok, nearest to the bull starts Doctor: I’m afraid your condition is Son: Mooo! terminal and I only expect you to live Dad: Baaa! You start then. another ten -

Patient: Months? Weeks!? Days!!!? Son: There’s a man at the door with a Doctor: Nine, eight, seven, six... bald head

Dad: Tell him I’ve already got one. Son: Mum, dad says I got all my intelligence from him. Taken from The Very Embarrassing Book of Dad Jokes Mum: He must be right, because I still have mine.

Why didn’t the owl take his girlfriend out in the rain? It was too wet to woo.

Dad: Can you get out of the car and tell me if the right indicator’s working?

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Ever since he was a child, Jon Gregson has loved cars. And now “At that time I did everything myself, as the owner of his own garage it could be answered the phone, prepared estimates, argued he’s pretty much playing all day. made out invoices and did the repairs. I “I’ve always been interested in cars, ever worked long hours and it was hard.’’ since I could talk. By this time the actual business of being a “When I was still at school I got a Saturday mechanic was relatively easy, as Jon had job at a garage in Drighlington then when I learned to work out how long a job would did leave school, I left on the Friday and take and how to price it up from his started at the garage on the Monday,’’ he employer and any gaps in his knowledge said. was filled by a training course at Bradford Now his own boss, he has run King Street Training Centre. Motors, in Whitehall Road East, for almost He has never taken a business course, but 11 years. He employs three staff, and knows that blowing your first few months despite the recession the business is ticking income on lavish holidays and cars is not the along nicely. way to go. Indeed, it seems his is one of the few “In those early days I took a salary of £100 a businesses which have actually benefited week. You have to be disciplined. But I do from the current economic climate. like being my own boss. You can do “People aren’t buying new cars as often, and whatever you want when you want and don’t vehicles still break, down and need servicing have to take orders from anyone. I like the and repairs, so the business hasn’t been hit freedom it gives me, but I don’t take all my too badly,’’ he said. holidays. I’m not saying things would go Running your own business, however, is not wrong if I wasn’t here but… just about `meddling with engines’. “Many small business go to the wall because they overspend, banks won’t lend PAPERWORK them money, cash flow problems, or because they fail to take into account the cost of “People tend to think that because they are overheads. good at something, they can start up a “I always pay my bills on time, if it’s 30 business doing it. But it’s not like that. As days term then I pay it within the time.’’ well as carrying out your trade, there’s the Sadly not all customers do the same, but business side of it – paperwork – and many fortunately those who don’t are few and far people don’t prepare themselves for that. between. “I would advise anyone thinking of starting LOYAL in business to employ an accountant or book -keeper to keep on top of that side of “I have a lot of loyal customers but also get things.’’ people who are just ringing round for the Having said that, Jon himself learned the cheapest quote. I won’t change my price hard way. just to get a job. I know how long a job will “I had to,’’ he said. take and how much it will cost and that’s “I got another job in Drig and while there what I’ll charge.’’ there was a workshop unit that the owner Over time the thrill of diagnosing what’s didn’t use, so we came to an agreement and I wrong with a car has diminished slightly but took that on. It was in King Street, which is his apprentices get a feeling of satisfaction where I got the name for the garage. when they find what’s causing that strange 30 Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING INDEX OF ADVERTISERS HEALTH AND BEAUTY Driveways P4 Pressed for Time P8 J Cunniffe chiropodist P8 DJE Building and Decorating P11 MSL Windowcleaning P10 Slimming World P12 D&G Wright roofing and building 11 RESTAURANTS/CAFES/FOOD SHOPS Ann Davidson holistic therapist P8 Woodall Builders P12 The Old Silk Mill P22 Senses sport/remedial Massage Clinic Home Secure Windows P4 Ginger Whale P24 P8 JOINERS Hopkins Butchers P14 Hilltop Leisure and Fitness P6 Darrell Wood P10 INTERIORS/EXTERIOR Wired P24 PAINTERS & DECORATORS Solaire Blinds P21 Yoga Inside Out P5 Simon’s Decorations P11 M&S Interiors P23 DANCE PLASTERERS HOLIDAYS/TRAVEL/ENTERTAINMENT Ambition Academy P23 Bould Brothers P11 Premiair airport travel P10 MOTORING HANDYMAN Rainbow Cottage P3 King Street Motors P28 Denis P4 Endeavour Cottage P23 California MOT P27 GARDENERS Yorkshire Art Fair P14 PUBS/CLUBS Richard Simpson P10 FUNERAL SERVICES St Mary’s Parochial Hall P22 SCHOOLS/NURSERIES/PLAYGROUPS Gateways Funeral Services and PLUMBING/HEATING Dale House School P13 Bereavement Group P14 NPR Installations Ltd P20 Latham Lane Playgroup P27 CARE HOMES/CARE SERVICE Roy Schofield domestic appliance Birkenshaw Kindergarten P12 Holme House P31 engineer P11 Batley Grammar School P2 POM Care Services P4. Hobson Heating P21 Rhythm Time P13 MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICIANS Gummy Bears P7 Gold and silver bought and sold, The Old A Brooke Electrical P11 ESTATE AGENTS/SOLICITORS/FINANCIAL Silk Mill P22 RCJ Electrical P10 P Jackson accountants P14 SPORT BUILDERS/DESIGN LCF Back page Birkenshaw ARLFC P14 Birkenshaw Windows P27 SERVICES Puddlefoot children’s outdoor clothing P24

rumbling noise. true love is his small collection of Escort Sadly cars are no longer built to last, he says, classic cars. with most new cars lasting `about 10 years’. One of Jon’s special pleasures is taking care of But despite the introduction of more and more Cleckheaton rally driver Bob Bean’s cars. technology and computers, some things will “He has a Lotus Cortina and a Mk 1Ford always be the same. Escort. Bob’s in his 70s but he still drives the “A tyre’s a tyre, a brake’s a brake, a wheel is a cars and has been rally driving since 1961. wheel but nothing is adjustable any more. He’s a legend. Electronics are a big part of cars and that is “We prepare the cars before each event and go changing all the time, but as things evolve you all over the country on both forest and tarmac learn as you go along.’’ stages. The one in the Isle of Man uses part of To keep on top of all the changes, Jon ensures the TT course. his computer equipment is upgraded 4 times a Bob has also had many class and outright wins year. all over Europe. He also feels that not as many people as him “My first car was an Escort MK II. I’ve care about their cars quite as much as in the always loved them and I’ve got four now. I past. take them to shows around the country and we “Most people just want the cheapest stuff for go on tours to the Lake District and their cars which is a shame because it’s never Snowdonia.’’ the best If you buy cheap you buy twice. He loves the camaraderie of the tours and much.’’ being able to talk about cars all day.“We If you are looking for reliability in a car, his camp, and drink and have barbecues and show advice is to buy Japanese. Saying that, his own our cars. It’s great!’’ Please mention Gomersal and Birkenshaw LIVING when responding to adverts