HD8 Life

10/12/2024

A couple of years ago, the HD8 Life household needed to replace our log burner, so we looked no further than Denby Dale Stoves and Heating.

We visited both their shops (in Springfield Mill and on Wakefield Road in Denby Dale) during the course of deciding exactly what we wanted.

The whole process was seamless, and we had nothing but good experiences in person, over the phone, and during the fitting process.

Denby Dale Stoves were also able to recommend a fabulous tiler to us who took care of the hearth, and they also came back out a year later when we were having trouble with the burner door - and fixed it for us ASAP.

Since then, we've also been back to pick up a new log basket to sit on said hearth - and now we're getting good use out of everything as the weather takes a turn into winter 🔥

Highly recommended. Thanks Denby Dale Stoves 🖤

09/12/2024

Thanks for being top HD8 Life engagers, and making it on to our weekly engagement list!

Claire Moore, Sophie McArthur, Gayle Corrigan, Kirsty Beanland, Jill Schofield 🖤

09/12/2024

After a weekend of Christmas markets, the HD8 Life Christmas decorations are finally up, including my festive ribbon bauble from Crafty Norahs 🖤

Our tree isn't colour coordinated or themed or anything like that, but it is a collection of items we've gathered as a family over the years. And, this is why I love it so much.

(We also happen to be proud owners of the world's tackiest tree decoration - a delightful image of The Tiger King - which I was sent in error by an online gift company one year. They didn't want it back; I can't think why 🤔 but it's a cautionary tale to always shop in person where you can 🤣).

08/12/2024

It's the first ever Live at St. Paul's Hall, Shepley Christmas Market today 🖤

It's all inside, so no worries about wind or rain or flying gazebos whilst you browse the range of Christmas goodies on offer.

We know that the fab Andrea Knowles Pet, Equine and Wildlife Artist, Queen Bea's, Crafty Norahs , Kirstie France, Deirdre Warren Ceramics and Purple Days will be there along with 20+ others, plus the Big Guy in Red himself 🎅🏼

The market opens at 10.30am and closes at 3.30pm... You could even pop into The Farmers Boy Shepley just up the road for a refreshing pit stop during or after 😉

Whatever you're up to today, have a great Sunday!

PLEASE COME ALONG TO OUR INDOOR CHRISTMAS MARKET AT ST. PAUL'S HALL, MARSH LANE, SHEPLEY HD8 8AE ON SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER 2024 - DOORS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT 10.30am AND THE MARKET WILL CLOSE AT 3.30pm.

We've 27 stalls of various merchandise, and lots of great gifts for Christmas. Here's who we've got for you, please come and support these local individuals, small businesses and Charities: -

JON FRANCIS - Upcycled wooden crafts, greetings cards, etc.
THE WHITE ROSE INITIATIVE - Charity selling new toys, etc.
VICKY WILMOT - Handmade leather/faux leather bags, etc.
LOUITCREATIONS - Knitted hats & pebble art, etc.
MANDY MADE IT - Stained glass items, etc.
HOLMECRAFTS - Jewellery, dog-safe chocs, 3D printed items, etc.
HANDMADE BY KIRSTIE - Recycled T-shirt yarn market bags, etc.
RACHEL RIX - Original artworks and greetings cards, etc.
SPECIAL EXTRAS - Costume jewellery, fidget toys, gifts, watches, etc
LLOYDS CANDLES - Handmade candles, melts, fairy dolls, T-shirts.
TRACEY & MAISIE - Hama bead characters, key rings, earrings, etc.
PURPLE DAYS - Quilled pictures, cards, jewellery, home decorations.
CRAFTY NORAHS - Crochet Xmas trees, ribbon ornaments, etc.
JULIET BAILEY - Handmade Jewellery, etc.
KNITS & KNOTS - Knitted & crocheted gifts, hats, scarves, etc.
PAULA WHITTAKER - Christmas ornaments and gifts, etc.
TABATHA'S CRAFTS - Bibs, lavender bags, cosmetic bags, etc.
SHARRON HIRD - Handmade crafts & gifts, pebble art, jewellery.
ANDREA KNOWLES - Original works of art, mugs, cushions, prints.
EMMA WILSON - Handmade/new/second-hand gifts, Reiki, etc.
CLAIRE MATHER - Handmade cards, stitched paper artwork, etc.
QUEEN BEA'S BOUTIQUE - Baby & Toddlers clothes, etc.
DEIRDRE WARREN CERAMICS - Ceramic artwork, etc.
EDWARD WORSLEY (13 years-old) - Various items to self-fund trip to Bali to assist Community Projects.
MY MITO MISSION - An innovative mitochondrial disease charity running a Tombola for adults and one for children.

We'll be having a bucket collection for St. Paul's Hall, along with a raffle.

Why not bring your kids (or grandkids) along to meet Santa and let them have their photos taken sat in his sleigh - you can give a small donation if you like, which is also going to be donated to St. Paul's Hall.

07/12/2024

The Denby Dale Pie Hall - No membership needed Christmas Market IS STILL HAPPENING TODAY!!!

It's all inside, so please bob along and support not only The Pie Hall but all the small businesses trading inside 🖤

🎄WE ARE STILL OPEN TODAY 🎄

Due to the weather, we’ve heard lots of fairs are closed today, WE ARE ALL INSIDE AND STILL OPEN! ✅

We have lots of stalls OPEN 11am-3pm TODAY

Calling all small businesses… if you had your event cancelled due to the weather get in contact with us to see if we can fit your stall into the hall

06/12/2024

It's totally acceptable to put your Christmas tree up this weekend!

Pick your own, locally-grown beauty from Emley Christmas Trees 🌲

06/12/2024

This cup of hot chocolate from Joys Coffee House in Kirkburton was SO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD 😋

I'd already eaten before heading to a WOW Team meeting at Joy's (check out The Curious Creative Club for more info), so I just had to stare in awe and drool at the fabulous looking food people were tucking into all around me 🤤

Guess that just means I'll have to go back soon and do a taste test!

05/12/2024

Wow. HD8 Life is now safely over the 800 followers mark on Instagram, with 300+ followers on Facebook which isn't too shabby considering we only started on IG on 9 August, and FB on 31 October - and we only work organically (we don't pay for promotion).

I say "we," but really HD8 Life is just me. Hi, I'm Erin. If you scroll down the page a wee bit, there's a post back on 18 November which tells you more about me if you're interested, but here's a few more useless tidbits:

🖤 My favourite film is Stand By Me
🖤 My favourite song is Saint Claude by Christine and the Queens
🖤 My favourite season is autumn/winter
🖤 I'm from Yorkshire, but I've also lived in Estonia, the USA and Singapore

So, anyway, thank you for following HD8 Life, which simply aims to celebrate, support and explore the businesses, people, places, activities, enterprises, charities, and events of HD8 and surrounding areas; and to do so in a creative and collaborative way.

I do HD8 Life in my spare time, for no charge to anyone. This is not a business. I have a 'proper' job 😉

I'm passionate about helping out our local area, community, people and businesses where I can. I believe in championing and encouraging. I don't have space for negativity and neither does HD8 Life ✨️

If you'd like to see my inspiration for HD8 Life, please visit RawtenstallVibes which is run by the amazing Jamie. I'm grateful that he let me nick his idea and make it my own for HD8.

Hopefully by now you'll have seen the collaborative features I've done with some absolutely phenomenal local businesses and people... Please get in touch if you're interested in working together too. Like I say, no cost and no obligation or pressure. In November, HD8 Life content was viewed more than 126,000 times on IG.

The HD8 Life diary is now full through to mid-January but if you're able to wait that long, give me a shout. To be fair, it'll be the new year before we know it.

Take care
Erin 🖤

05/12/2024

We're heading into possibly the busiest pre-Christmas weekend of the year in HD8!

Here's a little run down to help you plan where you'll be supporting this weekend 🖤

FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER
Friends of Shelley First School Christmas Fair
Elm Street Kidz Club Ltd Festive Inset Day
Skelmanthorpe FOTS Christmas Fair
Scissett Middle School Christmas Fair
Taylor Swift Tribute at The Pie Hall
Friends Of Scissett Academy Christmas Fair
Cumberworth First School Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER
Lower Cumberworth Methodist Church Christmas Fair
All HALLOWS CHURCH, KIRKBURTON Christmas Fair
Rowley Hill Club Children's Christmas Party
Eco HUB Artisan Winter Market at St Michael's Church Emley
Denby Dale Pie Hall - No membership needed Christmas Market
The Foxglove, Kirkburton Winter Fayre
Shelley Village Hall Carols Concert
Emmanuel Church, Shelley Christmas Fayre at Shelley Village Hall
Emley Chapel Christmas Coffee Morning
Aden House Christmas Fair
Lanefields Day Nursery Christmas Fair
Shepley Preschool & OOSC Christmas Fair

SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER
Skelmanthorpe Textile Heritage Centre Open Day
Live at St. Paul's Hall, Shepley Christmas Market
Rock/Punk/Ska/Indie music at The White Swan Kirkburton
Bagden Hall Hotel Lunch with Santa
Denby Dale Ladies' Choir Carol Concert at St. Michael's Church Emley

Remember, the Yummy Yorkshire Christmas Market in the Barn is open daily to 22 December, and the Whistlestop Valley Christmas events are running on selected dates to 24 December (booking is essential).

Wherever you decide to go, have a fabulous time ✨️ If we've missed anything, just shout!

05/12/2024

Yesterday, I joined the wonderful WOW Team for their fortnightly meeting at Joys Coffee House in Kirkburton 🖤

What an unbelievably supportive group for those running small (often sole trader) businesses, creatives, side-hustlers etc. Providing accountability, advice, support and collaboration in the most welcoming way!

Thank you The Curious Creative Club, Clair Wright Copy, Pippi Silver, Magpie Design, Serene Hypnotherapy Huddersfield for being so lovely 🖤

Find out more by contacting The Curious Creative Club, including more info about their meetings in HD9 and online too!

03/12/2024

Shout out to the newest HD8 Life followers!

Thanks for jumping onboard Grace Scarlett O'Malley, Tom Kaye, Claire Moore, Lauren Earle, Denise Padgett, Emma Mahalla, Gayle Corrigan, Shaneys Furniture, Amy O'Neill 🖤

03/12/2024

Small Business Saturday in the UK takes place THIS Saturday (7 December 2024).

✨️ What is it? ✨️

Small Business Saturday is a UK campaign to support small business, taking place on the first Saturday in December each year.

The campaign encourages businesses to promote themselves and work with other small businesses, and consumers to shop local and support small, independent businesses in their communities.

Of course, shopping small and local isn't just for Christmas, but surely it's the perfect time of year to start changing some old online retailer/chain store habits? 🖤

03/12/2024

HD8 Life recently met up with Maria, who is an ambassador for .global and the skincare range of .md.

Maria is passionate about helping women feel empowered and more comfortable in their own skin, without invasive treatments or heavy make-up.

She gave HD8 Life the most amazing run down and demo of the products she champions on behalf of the brand.

If you're looking for a new way of reviving your skin and creating a natural glow, please get in touch with Maria or visit https://www.simonourianmd.com/en-GB?redeemCode=MARI

Thanks so much for inviting me along to meet you, Maria, and for the demo, all your advice, words of wisdom, and kindness 🖤

02/12/2024

Two stalls available for Live at St. Paul's Hall, Shepley Christmas Market on Sunday 8 December!

Please contact Live at St. Paul's directly to enquire. This should be a busy event! 🖤

02/12/2024

It's Jelly Beans-Under 5's at Christmas, actually (not carol singers!)...

Yes! The Jelly Beans festive menu is available now featuring turkey, cranberry & stuffing sandwiches which you can wash down with hot drinks flavoured by winter spice, egg nog or creme brulee syrup - and topped with Baileys whipped cream! 😋

Plus, there are still spaces available at the Jelly Beans Christmas Parties on Monday 9 December, Wednesday 11 December & Friday 13 December. Just the thing for the little ones to get into the festive cheer.

Sounds PERFECT to us 🖤

If you haven't been before, you can find Jelly Beans inside Springfield Mill in Denby Dale.

01/12/2024

On Thursday last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with some members of the Denby Dale District Men’s Shed Association to hear all about the very exciting plans in store for their new Trinity Workshops space.

A few years ago, whilst I was CEO at Whistlestop Valley, I was involved in discussions with the Men's Shed about finding a new place to call home, since their existing space can no longer cope with their rapid expansion.

So, the news of Trinity Workshops is thrilling and the local and wider community will benefit SO much from what the final product will offer.

Please, please, please get behind the Men's Shed, the Women's Shed and the Share Shed.

If you can offer them any assistance - it doesn't have to be hands-on! - please get in touch with them. This is a local asset we need to future proof and ensure its longevity 🖤

TRINITY WORKSHOPS. Thank you.

The period of public consultation on the sale of the Holy Trinity Church ended on the 18th November, and this week we learnt that the Church Commissioners have agreed that conveyancing can now begin. Additionally the Officers of the Diocese have given approval for us to begin the essential repairs necessary to make the church weatherproof. Consequently, if you have passed the church this week, you will have seen contractors working on the tower roof.

Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout the sale and negotiations, and a very special thank you to the Denby Dale Parish Council, which provided the sizeable grant that has enabled us to buy and begin repairing the church. As you probably know, our plan is to repurpose the church as a Community Workshop, which will provide a secure and permanent home for the Men’s Shed, the Women’s Shed and for our Share Shed/ Library of Tools and Things.

To deliver this project we will need skills and expertise from many areas, from gardening to project management. Therefore, if you would like to join us on this journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.

And so we begin this exciting journey.

01/12/2024

When HD8 Life met Emley Christmas Trees...

We caught up with Mel (and Andrew!) and learned about the complex process involved in growing the perfect Christmas tree right here in HD8! Who knew it takes ELEVEN YEARS for a Christmas tree to reach 6ft tall? Not me, but I do now.

I also had the privilege of visiting the actual Christmas tree farm which is not usually accessible to the public, to witness first hand a) the wonder of 2,000 trees growing at all different stages and b) the wonder of the panoramic view across the valley 😍

If you're looking for a locally grown, locally sold Christmas tree this festive season, pay Emley Christmas Trees a visit. The trees are stunning and freshly cut - plus Mel spends her time (when she's not being a first school teacher!) crafting the most beautiful handmade wreaths, which you can also pick up during your visit.

Although growing Christmas trees is a year-round job, Mel and Andrew run a second business selling cut flowers during spring and summer. Please check out Highlands Farm Cut Flowers for their stunning produce which is, again, locally grown.

Emley Christmas Trees is open 9.30am-6pm on weekdays, 9.30am-5.30pm on Saturdays and 10am-4.30pm on Sundays.

Mel and Andrew wanted to mention the following fabulous Emley-based businesses. Please give them a follow:

🖤 G27 Hair & Beauty
🖤 White cross cafe
🖤 L&R Metcalfe

Massive thanks to Mel, Andrew and their boys for inviting me up to their amazing, farm and for being so kind as to show me around and share their story with HD8 Life. I can't wait to see their exciting plans for the farm come to life in 2025 🖤