David Icke is currently standing in the ‘Big Brother’ by-election with David Davis.
The video of yesterdays press conference can be seen here:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-972704915352925347

It’s a real eye opener…

First a little warm-up gig, opening at the Doghouse night at the Royal Oak in Halifax on Friday 4th (let me know if you want cheaplist - 07530630060) and then my return to the valley proper - Saturday 5th @ The House That Jack Built in Todmorden. It’ll be nice and chilled out, but I’ll be doing quite a long set, you might hear some songs I haven’t played in a long time, as well as a few newies.

Hi everyone, I lived in Hebden Bridge for less than a year running the IOB. Due to one thing and another I am now back down south but wanted to comment on what a profound effect Hebden had on me. I arrived as a sitting Tory Councillor in Newbury Berkshire. I hated students and hippies, same sex relationships were something crazy yanks did and I wouldn’t have spat on a vegetarian.

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Hebden Bridge Open Poker Tournament 2008, 28th June

Now let’s hear from poker anorak extraordinaire, Jaye:

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Where exactly is the global warming ? I’d been led to believe that we’d be living in a semi-arid quasi-tropical place by now. Potted palm trees and monkeys swinging from the branches. Instead of which we continually get rain, rain and continually rain. Cold and wet. I wish that hole in the ozone layer would split its gusset open still further and rain the tropics upon me. Lizards, snakes, scintillating butterflies. For the Pennine hills to be like the mountains of Crete or the rainforests of Java. You know, useful rain. That would be nice.

How absurd it is to find botany verboten. The other day I teased out three seeds from a ten quid draw of grass. I sowed the seeds. All three germinated. I allowed the seedlings to show their first true Cannabis digitate leaves and then I snuffed them out. The law says it is illegal to grow them and I am too small to contradict their dumb stupid superstitions.

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you are invited to northlight art studios Summer Open Studios 2008, part of Hebden Bridge Open Studios 2008. Fri 4th -Mon 7th July 11am – 5pm
Chat with the artists • unique gifts • children’s activities • refreshments. Including a special exhibition and silent auction to launch our new ‘Back Door’ gallery and education space

2008 Hebden Bridge Open Poker Tournament. Usual venue - Pecket Well

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Here’s what Tom Cleary wrote….

Triumphant Return for Mabel Blue
The singer songwriter competition at the Trades Club to raise funds for Hebden Bridge’s World Music festival, the World on Your Doorstep, was won last Thursday night by fabulous Calder Valley performer, Mabel Blue. Mabel, who has recently returned to the area and lives in Mytholmroyd, has for a long time been one of the most distinctive songwriters in the district and one of its most magical performers. In winning the prize, 3 hours free recording in the local Valve Recording studio, she soared above even her own lofty standards. Her three haunting songs, ‘Jasmine Green’, ‘Heron’s Song’ and ‘Come Here Be Mine’ simply knocked over the audience as well as the judges and swept her into a triumphant first place. Mabel dedicated her victory to her late husband, Josh Phillips, who with Mabel founded and ran the ever-popular Open Mic Surgery at the Stubbing Wharf.

Paul Weatherhead came a very close second. His three songs displayed his brilliant virtuosity and his unique surreal humour. From the slyly subversive ‘Welcome to the Freak Show’ and the zany satanic piece ‘Don’t Play the Record Backwards’ to the hilarious ‘My Wonky Donkey’, he was in top form and fully deserved second place. The competition was judged by popular Calder Valley top performer, Steve Tilston, rising star Becki Roberts of ‘Becks and the Bullets’ fame, and Trades Club stalwart, Ernest Jones.
Mabel and Paul headed a strong field of seven. The rest of a talented field included local singer-songwriters Phil Townsend and Paul Harvey, Saltaire’s Simon Kelly, whose accomplished songs are well known to punters from Hebden’s Open Mic Surgery, Eddie O’Grady, a stunning young talent all the way from Scunthorpe, and from even further afield, the charming Antonio Tzoumas, from Greece by way of Rochdale, who has through his involvement in open mics locally rediscovered the songwriting skills that he originally developed in his native country.

The competition was a fundraiser for the World on Your Doorstep, Hebden’s free World Music Festival, which takes place in Calder Holmes Park on 19th and 20th July 2008.
Already many people have volunteered to help, but more are needed, especially young people over the age of 16. If you would like to help get in touch with Emma Smith at ejsmith64@hotmail.co.uk or any evening on 01422 846182 or with Viv on 01422 844091. For information about the festival e-mail katie@tradesclub.info or visit the festival website at www.theworldonyourdoorstep.org.

Beautiful large room, 20ft x 16ft,
South facing - overlooking canal.
Stripped floorboards,
Large sink,
Front and back door access.
Has its own large cellars, (cellar1 – 14ft x 7ft, cellar 2 – 15ft x 11ft) loads of storage.
Wireless broadband.
Centre of town, 1 minute walk from station.
£55 per week.
01706 814048 or 0793060730

The 2nd International Cider Festival at the Stubbing Wharf.

Hebden Bridge will be hosting its 2nd International Cider Festival at the Stubbing Wharf, on the Summer Solstice weekend of 21st to 22nd June, with a special preview on the Friday evening.

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I’m getting married on August 9th. We’re still looking for a DJ to play the music at the evening reception, which will be held at Stubbing Wharf from 7.30pm.

So if any DJs out there in the Calder Valley are interested please post a reply on this thread – with your mobile number if you’re OK with that. By the way, your own PA is essential cos the Stubbs doesn’t have one.

Cheers

Hello, I’m back from uni for the summer, and I’m after some local gigs. I’m around til the end of September. If anyone could offer me anything that’d be really wonderful.

Ta x

There ’s just one week left for buying early bird tickets for the Northern Green Gathering…
Buy before 22nd June and you get £10 off adult tickets and £5 off children’s tickets – go to the website and buy yours now –
www.nggonline.org.uk
Here’s a little taste of what’s happening this year – and more is being added everyday!

Tons of Kids’ Activities; Campaigns area with info, debate, games & films; Veggie Cafes; Healing Area; Yoga & Tai Chi; Herbs, Crafts & Circus Skills; Cabaret & Performance Art; and Music from Burlesque to Psychedelia to Reggae & Folk…

It’s looking good… See you on 7th August!

Don’t miss The World on Your Doorstep Singer Songwriter Showcase on Thursday 19 June at 9 o’clock. This star-studded event is being held to raise money for Hebden Bridge’s own world music festival in Calder Holmes Park and in other venues in the town on 19 and 20 July, next month. To be the success this festival should be, a lot more money has to be found. Come to this showcase and help to build up our funds. The Hebden Bridge Trades Club and the Open Mic Surgery at the Stubbing Wharf are supporting and organising the festival.

Performing at the showcase will be

Mabel Blue
Paul Weatherhead
Simon P Kelly
Paul Harvey
Eddie O Dwyer

And more…

Entry to the Trades Club: £5