YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS ISSUE #12July/August 2009

A new look:Thanks to a grant from the Grassroots Fund, administered by VAK (Voluntary Action KIrklees),we’ve been able to produce our latest issue in full colour.

“WE’RE ON THE INTERNET!” As a result of the successful Community Media Project run by the Community Trust, Longley & Lowerhouses is now online. The new website can be found at www.longleylowerhouses.co.uk. The website has been created through the training sessions that have been run over the last few months and is now open to the public. The website aims to be a focal point for the local community containing information about the different groups and organisations that make up or are linked to Longley and Lowerhouses. It will provide a great way of storing photos old and new that will provide a pictorial history of our local area. In the future the hope is that it will provide up to date ‘What’s on’ information, links to other relevant websites plus back issues of your community news. If you have comments to make about the website or you have details of other things that should be added to it please contact the website by emailing lowerhousesweb@me.com or call your community news on 300210. As well as setting up the community website the media project has also run a memories day, run various training sessions, taken part in a family fun day, has

enabled the newsletter to go colour and has put the community in a far better position to use a range of multi-media equipment. While the current project in terms of funding is coming to an end there are high hopes that there is much more to follow. Those behind the media project believe that there is great potential for both the website and the use of multi-media in the local area especially if more people get involved. In you would like more information about training (for people at all levels) or if you have something to contribute please do get in touch.

Longley & Lowerhouses

SUMMER NEWS2009It’s now the beginning of June as I write this article and Longley Woods are looking resplendent with the full flush of spring growth. The beech trees are particularly striking when the sun shines through their fresh green leaves giving a dappled light on the now fading bluebells. These were in their prime during May, flowering before the tree canopy blocks out their light, creating a carpet of blue. The Hawthorn have a decent amount of blossom, ensuring a good crop of dark red berries in the autumn that will help sustain the resident blackbirds and thrushes along with winter visitors like fieldfares and redwings. The phrase “don’t cast a clout until May is out” means “keep your winter clothes to hand until the hawthorn may blossom is showing”! All this new growth also means that the invasive Japanese knotweed is growing too. For the last 5 years, the Friends of Longley Woods have been pulling this out and we can see evidence that our efforts are paying off. In one particular area, about the size of a tennis court, it was

completely covered in knotweed smothering out our indigenous plant species. Now, after repeated pulling, flora like ramsons (wild garlic), brambles, bracken and bluebells are beginning to re-establish. One would think that pulling up the alien knotweed would be a tedious task but we all seem to enjoy it, especially as we can now see the benefits. The four welcome signs to the woods have been up several months now and we have cut back encroaching vegetation. Hopefully they will entice people to have a walk into the woods.Nearly all of our nest boxes have attracted breeding birds. We found a clutch of blue tits nesting in an old metal fence post, barely four feet from the ground! Though difficult to see, we have heard the songs of summer visiting warblers such as chiffchaff, blackcaps and wood warblers. Green areas like Longley Woods are vital to our wildlife and tasks like litter picking and vegetation control help to maintain and improve this habitat. Why not come and join us?

FRIENDS OF LONGLEY WOODS

WHY NOT COME AND JOIN US? ALL WELCOME

Contact Details:friendsoflongleywoods@yahoogroups.co.uk01484 717121 (Margaret)07932 658569 (Stephen)Our next information meetings in 2009 are on Tuesdays at 7:30 pmAt Longley Golf Club:July 14th, August 11th, September 8thIn the Flyboat at Aspley: October 13th, November 10th December 8th

the full flush of spring growth

Wentworth Castle is the home of Northern College, a place that one can catch up on any education that was for one reason or another by passed when you were younger. It is somewhere you can learn new skills, and catch up on modern technology; it is a place that has a safe environment to stay and learn, also it is set in beautiful grounds where you can wander and unwind from every day stress. On my last visit, I did a short course on maths, which, when I was at School I hated, but the Tutor made everything interesting and light hearted, it was a good course and it made me realise I was not as ignorant on maths as I thought I was, the point being that Northern College has modern, up to date and practical ways of teaching, without making you feel pressurised on the subject you are taking.There are many courses you can take, from photography, computers, maths and English, to name but a few courses that are open to you, some have a charge, and some are free, considering what you get in

return for the outlay it is marvellous and well worth it.The accommodation may not be ‘The Hilton’, but it is clean, warm and comfortable, also it takes the strain out of travelling to and fro each day, not to mention saving on petrol.The food is of a very high standard, various menus are available each day, this includes vegetarian, salads, sandwiches, soup, dinner, sweet and drinks, whatever your choice maybe.If during your stay, there is a problem, you only have to tell the staff or Reception, and they will do their best to sort it out.The above is all included, the room, the food and most important the knowledge you gain from your stay, personally I have gained such a lot and feel that I have entered the 21st century with a new outlook on education that I only found out about by chance, you maybe tempted to further your knowledge or interest if so, then give them a ring on, 01226 776000 and they will be only too willing to send you a brochure.

Summer Activitiesfor Children Under 5 years of age and their parents.Lots of fun things to do with your children. e.g;*messy play activities*face painting*balloon modeling*glass painting*mask makingActivities for parents too! (nail art, henna designs, hand massage.Friday 14th, 21st and 28th August 1.00 - 3.00 pmSure Start Children's Centre, Lowerhouses Lane.Contact Sure Start Lowerhouses Children's Centre for more details or just drop-in on the days.Tel: 01484 223091

SURE START

Newsome Ward Community ForumNext meeting of the Forum – Thursday 13th August at 5.45Correspondence to:Ruth Elliott (Secretary)122 Hall Bower LaneHuddersfieldHD4 6RN

Email: ruth.elliott2@ntlworld.com

NORTHERN COLLEGE

Young At Heart For more details contact: Pat (Tel. 450708)Details: Social Group for Older People (Includes Gentle Exercise)Venue: Newsome Working Men’s ClubTime: 1.30 - 3.30pmDates: Thursdays 6th August, 3rd September, 1st October, 29th October, 26th November, 17th December

Castle & Minister Credit Union: Local Saving Scheme. Collections are now being made at Federation House (Old Newsome Housing Office), St. Johns Ave, Newsome. Monday to Friday 12 noon til. 2 pm. For more details contact the office at Upperhead Row (By Bus Station) Tel. 226666.

Wednesday ClubActivities for older people in the Longley and Lowerhouses area. Meets most Wednesdays, 1.30pm at Longley & Lowerhouses Community Church. For more information – Tel. 300210.

One Stop Shop & health visitor baby clinic Every Monday afternoon(2-3.30pm) at the Children’s Centre. This service also includes information and advice from Children’s Centre staff, Job Centre Plus, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Children & Families Information Service and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Health WalksDetails: Gentle walks along the flat! Join our friendly group for a short walk in the fresh air. Walks last about an hour to an hour and a half.Venue: Meet at Longley & Lowerhouses Community ChurchTime: 11 am –1 pm Dates: Tuesdays1st & 15th September, 6th & 20th October, 3rd & 17th November, 1st & 15th December

Longley & Lowerhouses Community Church(Formerly Longley Baptist Church) Meets every Sunday at 10.30am at which there are separate activities for children. Once a month we hold a special service designed for all the family. We also offer a service to give thanks for the birth of a child. In addition to our Sunday Services we have a busy midweek programme.

For more information on any of the above please call Chris on 300210.

Midwife Drop-In ClinicAt Lowerhouses Children’s Centre. Wednesday 9 am – 10 am

Mobile LibraryMondays 3.45pm-4.45pm, Lowerhouses Children’s Centre.Wednesdays 2.10pm-2.40pm Oakenbank Crescent

Children’s CentreThe ‘Child’s Journey - Rolling Programme’. Child minders support group, Time Out Crèche, and Stay and Play.For more information of their latest activities call 223091 or drop into the centre on Lowerhouses Lane, next to Lowerhouses School.

YOURCOMMUNITY NEWS181 Lowerhouses Lane

Lowerhouses

Huddersfield HD5 8JZ

Phone: 300210

Email:

lowerhousesnews@me.com

This issue produced in partnership with;

• artiMEDIA,• Lowerhouses

Community Trust• Lowerhouses

JI & EY School• ʻNatural Flavoursʼ

YOUR INFOSponsored by Lowerhouses Children’s Centre