Shepley's Magazine Free to every Shepley household Issue No 24: November 2020 Photograph by Fenne Casey Page 1 Dear Readers In Shepley, just as in all towns and villages throughout the country, there will be no community bonfire this year. Even the bonfire capital of England, Lewes in Sussex, has had to call off this year’s event. This spectacle with 5,000 participants and up to 80,000 spectators crowding into the narrow streets has marching bands, parades, burning barrels pulled through the streets and several bonfire societies, each with their own “Guy” often being effigies of those people considered by the groups to be worthy of humiliation. In recent years some featured figures have been of Boris Johnson, Tony Blair, Kim Jon-un, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump amongst many others. There was even one recently of Jeremy Clarkson for some reason, which I imagine he found highly amusing. If the event returns next year hopefully a large Covid virus will be one of the main victims. In our area “Guys” have largely fallen out of favour except in some smaller garden bonfires. However the Shepley Cricket Club bonfire still does the village proud. It’s always an amazing effort by Brian McCrea who for over a decade has produced a fantastic bonfire, usually working alone for months before the actual date. Last year’s construction, especially, was an absolute work of art. This year he’s been able to have a rest for a change, but I bet he would have far rather been toiling away in all weathers as in the past. All of us who regularly attend this event owe him a big “thank you” and also to all the volunteers who have looked after and managed the displays over the years. So this time we’ll be back to small garden bonfires, just as when we were younger. As a child I remember the excitement in the days leading up to bonfire night. With instructions on each firework to “Light the blue touchpaper and retire immediately” for the groups of young, mainly boys, roaming the streets with pockets full of explosives, “retiring” was the last thing on our minds. Usually carried were penny bangers or for the richer members “tuppenny” ones which made more of a resounding bang rather than the crack of the cheaper penny ones. Living in a rural area there were some unique subjects for bangers, cow pats being one of the favourite if messy targets. I always remember the excitement of fireworks appearing in the shops, with their exotic names and colourful packaging. Of course, Standard Fireworks, made in Huddersfield with their slogan “Light Up The Sky With Standard Fireworks” were a massive company and always popular, also producing, Lion Fireworks in Lepton, which many people may also remember. Other fireworks that come to mind were made by Pains and Brocks. The most exciting image was on the “Black Cat” firework which also used to be made in Huddersfield. With its fierce black cat head, jaws open with bared teeth and glaring eyes what more could an impressionable schoolboy want? It’s still available today with offices at Crossland Hill in Huddersfield. So take care this bonfire night with your household, but most of all enjoy yourselves within the current restrictions. In addition if you have any firework memories or photographs of your own please share them with the magazine, contact details for contributions below. Shepley's Magazine Team. ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Email contributions by the 12th of the month to: [email protected] Write to us and drop your contributions into the library addressed to: Shepley’s Magazine All other enquiries including advertising to: [email protected] If you would like a PDF digital copy of the magazine email: [email protected] Magazine donations to: Lloyd’s Bank - Sort Code 30-98-97 Account - 64780368 or put a cheque made out to Shepley’s Magazine into an envelope and hand it in at the library, thank you. © Copyright Shepley’s Magazine Page 2 Shepley First School The return to school during September went remarkably well, with everyone in SFS staff team showing their care and adaptability in helping the children to settle back – and new beginners to settle in – to changed routines and timetables. Experience gained during the weeks when the school was open during June and July proved invaluable in the establishment of good hygiene routines and managing the staggered parts of the school day e.g. breaks and lunchtimes. The main focus now is on ensuring that the curriculum has the right focus and flexibility to meet the needs of all the children during what may be a disrupted time for months to come. As the Head has said, “There is a challenging time ahead; making up for lost face-to-face teaching and learning time in school and getting all children back to where they need to be for this stage in their development and education, is going to be a huge task.” So far, attendance at school has been good; clear guidance has been provided for families about when/when not to send children to school or keep them at home,but these are not always easy decisions as autumn and winter coughs and sneezes occur during a pandemic. The challenge around that decision will continue for months to come…..which is why a flexible curriculum is needed to sustain progress over periods of absence. Meantime, within the inevitable restrictions on activities and fund-raising, FOSFS have been working hard to devise some COVID - friendly fund-raising ideas. A Halloween Art Competition and a Dress-up Day for Halloween have already been publicised and in November there will be a Children in Need ramble around the village. In the school newsletter, families have also been able to receive reports of each year group’s activities and to read how core curriculum topics are being addressed. At a Governors’ meeting held remotely in early October we had very full discussions on the ‘school improvement and recovery plan’ for 2020/21 with its key message “Every Minute Matters…..Make Every Moment Count”. We do not underestimate what a tough and demanding year this will be for everyone associated with SFS, but we are confident that the right balance will be pursued in addressing the educational, well-being and developmental needs of children within a safe, caring and supportive environment. As Governors we appreciate everything that all of our staff and so many parents and families are doing for the benefit of SFS children and for Shepley village community as we live through these unusual times. Anne Mace Tribute to Nancy Parkyn We would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Nancy Parkyn who passed away on 21st September. Nancy was well known in Shepley and our thoughts go out to her husband Eddie and to Ian, Alison, Bruce, Anne and Fiona and the rest of the family. A tribute to Nancy will appear in next month’s magazine. Page 3 Cliffe House – Update on Woodland Volunteering Since the last magazine article, volunteering work was cancelled because of lockdown. Work recommenced in July following measures put in place by the centre management team to enable volunteers to work safely and comply with current guidelines. It was agreed to stagger the start times for two groups of no more than six volunteers, to avoid pinch points when meeting for the day’s tasks. The groups work in different locations of the woodland within the required restrictions. One group started thinning out the rhododendron ponticum hedge to the rear boundary of the lawn and lifting the crown of the magnificent holly tree. The other group cut out all the overhanging branches of the mature trees along the path between the allotment gardens and the main woodland. This group also cleared an area of dogwood (Cornus) adjacent to the top woodland, which had self-layered and was out of control. Other invasive species were also cleared. Work is now ongoing on the three ephemeral ponds in the top ponds area, to clear the overgrown bog plants and overhanging ‘self-set’ trees; the idea being that the volunteers take ownership of this area and make it a development project to bring them back to their former glory. The volunteers always work within the risk assessment and current government guidelines to ensure that everyone on site stays safe. We look forward to the continued workload throughout the autumn and winter and the development of this interesting site. Here are photos of some of the fungi at Cliffe House, can anyone identify them? Geoff Ryder – Friends of Cliffe House Woodland Volunteer Page 4 Cliffe House – Community Orchard We are looking at creating a community orchard in what is known locally as the sledging field. Councillor John Taylor is funding the project. We are looking to plant 30 trees, a selection of apples, pears and cherries. The aim is ultimately to engage with the local community to allow community members to tend the trees, but also take the fruit. We have marked out the proposed locations of the trees (see photo), we are asking for people’s thoughts on the scheme, but also for a volunteer to help water them once they have been planted. If anyone is interested could they get in touch via email [email protected] Jaime Nalson - Centre Manager Shepley Central England Co-operative Just dropping customers a quick line to introduce myself. I am Ian Booth, the new Manager at the Co-op in Shepley, having swapped stores with Tom, who has taken my place in the New Mill store.