Community

The village community of Thornhill has rallied together ahead of Remembrance Day after ten large poppies displayed outside a dentist surgery were stolen. Villagers have been taking part in Thornhill Remembers, Together, which has seen colourful poppies popping up in windows of homes, schools, playgroups and businessness throughout the village.

Villagers rally ahead of Remembrance Day after theft of poppies

St John's Church in Cleckheaton

Dismay after parishoners told St John's Church in Cleckheaton will not re-open

The Knowl Club in Mirfield will be hosting its November Beer Festival later this month.

Award-winning Mirfield club preparing for annual beer festival

A community arts project at Cleckheaton Library is bringing people together through creative outdoor exploration.

Outdoor library project bringing art, plants and people together

Cleckheaton’s historic town hall could reopen as a “vital” NHS Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC). The proposals have been unveiled by Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater, who has written to the Health Minister, Alison McGovern, lobbied Kirklees Council, and rallied local businesses to secure the venue’s future. Kim recently hosted members of the Cleckheaton & Spenborough Town Hall campaign group at her constituency office before striving for backing from local businesses.

Historic town hall could reopen as ‘vital’ mental health hub

Volunteers of Dewsbury Cares Community Group ahead of last year's Christmas lunch initiative. The group is set to move into bigger premises this coming weekend.

Big weekend for Dewsbury Cares Community Group as market set to close

Venues across Dewsbury, Mirfield, Batley and Spen opened their doors to visitors this month for England’s largest festival of history and culture.

Photos: Visitors ‘fascinated’ as festival of history returned to North Kirklees

The Community Open Door Fortnight, which began on Monday, September 21 and runs until Sunday, October 4, in Birkenshaw, Birstall, Fieldhead and Howden Clough.

Community groups across Birkenshaw and Birstall open doors to public

The specially-crocheted figures, including Sir Kevin Sinfield, will be on display at Roberttown Community Centre

Some people run marathons for charity - this keen crafter crocheted one

A “fantastic” afternoon tea party held at Hanging Heaton Cricket Club has raised over £3,000 for a breast cancer charity.

In pictures: Breast cancer charity event at cricket club raises over £3,000

Take a look at these photos as former pupils from St Mary’s Catholic Infants and Primary School in Batley celebrated another reunion.

School reunion photos: Batley pupils from 1950s and 60s reunite again
A reunion of pupils who attended St Mary’s Catholic Infants and Primary School in the 1950s and 60s has been held in Batley.
Adam Cheshire

Chair of Staincliffe Park Volunteers Stevan Morton (right), with treasurer Pat, at the park following the theft of six treasured heritage plaques.

Theft of heritage plaques in Staincliffe park ‘senseless and mindless’

The band of volunteers known as The Old Cemetery Volunteers, who have been coming together every weekend to help tidy what was an “overgrown and unsightly” Cleckheaton Old Cemetery.

Tidying cemetery and sprucing up Commonwealth War Graves

Tony Rock at the Thornhill mining disaster memorial in Rectory Park. Photo by John Clifton.

83-year-old former miner returns to Thornhill for disaster memorial

Schoolchildren from across Spen Valley filled Heckmondwike town centre with music and community spirit as they took part in the Big Sing.

Spen Valley schools unite in Heckmondwike for the Big Sing

Spen Valley MP, Kim Leadbeater, enjoying the atmosphere with Simon Thirkhill (right). The market stalls at the busy New Square can be seen in the background.

Glorious mix of colour, culture and tradition on show at Farmers’ Market

A memorial dedicated to 199 men and boys who died in mining disasters in Thornhill was unveiled at a poignant ceremony.

Hundreds gather for poignant unveiling of mining disaster memorial

Dan Lanigan, Paul Coulson and Daz Bland of Andy's Man Club, with Chris Matthews, personal trainer, and Natalie Chappelow, co-owner of Arthur’s Cafe.

Men’s mental health charity ‘super proud’ to join monthly Mirfield run club

TJM Acadamey is hosting a junior World Cup-style football tournament.

Junior World Cup tournament is right at home

People gathered in Cleckheaton last Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.

Coming together to mark Armed Forces Day

Members of Dewsbury District Golf Club showed their support for Breast Cancer Now by dressing in pink and taking part in a special Pink Day golf competition.

Golf club turns pink for breast cancer charity

Crowds flocked to Wilton Park in the sunshine on Sunday for the 2026 Batley and Birstall Pride.

21 colourful photos as Batley Pride event fills park with ‘love and memories’

The memorial at Thornhill being prepared.

Memorial dedicated to miners to be unveiled on pit disaster anniversary

Batley Pride is returning this weekend. Photo by Laura Ruxton.

Free pride event for people to feel ‘comfortable and represented'

Members of Heckmondwike-based crafts group Spen Shed have created some new homes for wildlife at the Jo Cox Community Wood.

Craft group creates new homes for wildlife at Jo Cox Community Wood

The new courtyard garden at Dewsbury Hospital.

Improved courtyard garden opens at Dewsbury Hospital

Julie Smith and Dave Hawksworth, organisers of the Run For Jo.

Organisers reminisce ahead of final-ever Run For Jo at Birstall park

The Rugbytots classes in Batley, Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike will be hosted by Shaun and Emma Hosier (pictured centre along with their three children and the Rugbytots mascot).

Rugby-mad family bringing coaching sessions for children
A rugby-mad family will be bringing coaching sessions for two to seven year olds to Batley, Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton from September.
Adam Cheshire

Photos from this year's Cleckheaton Pride.

'Memories to last a lifetime' created at third Cleckheaton Pride event

The MakerWorld arts project based in Dewsbury and Huddersfield has lost its main source of funding, leaving its future in the balance.

Dewsbury and Huddersfield arts project vows to carry on after funding blow

The Knowl Club welcomed people through its doors from last Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, for the annual Spring Beer Festival.

A weekend of sun, bustling crowds and plenty of beer at popular Mirfield club

For one extraordinary day, Mirfield became a unique openair concert arena as the town hosted its first ever Piano Walk, a new cultural event which brought a trail of live music to the town on Sunday, May 17, with performances spread across eight different, and unique, venues.

Hundreds pack into unique venues for extraordinary open air concert

10 knockout photos as broadcasting legend Angela Rippon and Kim Leadbeater help older people stay active at Birstall gym

10 ace photos as broadcasting legend and MP help older people stay active at gym

The award winning Knowl Club in Mirfield is getting ready to welcome people for its annual Spring Beer Festival.

Award winning CAMRA club hosting three-day beer festival

Prime Time Plumbing was named as the winner of the SME Business of the Year award at the ceremony which was held in Wolverhampton on May 7.

Plumbing firm and Bantams sponsor claims prize at national awards

The Bread and Butter Thing at Thornhill Lees, run out of the community centre, is celebrating its third anniversary.

Food hub ‘life saver’ celebrates third anniversary in Thornhill Lees

Take a look inside the fully refurbished New Pack Horse pub in Cleckheaton.

PHOTOS: Take a look inside this recently reopened Cleckheaton pub

Eight clubs across the town joined forces on Saturday, March 28, to welcome fundraisers through their doors to support the Leeds-based charity Candlelighters, which helps and supports families affected by childhood cancer.

Over £3,000 raised for Candlelighters after charity club crawl

The community of Hanging Heaton came together last week to tidy up a local playing field.

Hanging Heaton community comes together for clean-up operation on playing field

A “growing” Mirfield run club launched by a personal trainer and Arthur’s Cafe in December is set for just its fifth outing at the weekend.

‘Growing’ Mirfield run club set for fifth outing this weekend

Sam Nowak who runs Brooke and Bean which has recently opened in Cleckheaton.

New luxurious soap shop opens in Cleckheaton

Stacy Gott (right), founder of Street-WYze, at Phat Spuds in Batley.

Takeaway partners with youth support organisation to deliver over 300 free meals

Thornhill’s Assistant Headteacher, Lucinda Rudd, welcomes guest to the schools Eid lunch.

‘Fabulous team effort’ helps community come together for special Eid lunch

David Taylor, the last mayor of Ossett

David Taylor, the last mayor of Ossett, has died aged 85

Scenes from the natural world lit up Hightown Junior Infant and Nursery School last week at its annual Lantern Land event.

Volcanoes, mountains and giraffes light up Hightown school's Lantern Land event
Scenes from the natural world lit up a Hightown school last week at its annual Lantern Land event.
Adam Cheshire

A security fence has been put up to protect the pitches at Milton Road, home of Littletown Juniors Football Club.

Security fencing to protect junior football pitches finally goes up

Tim Hetherington and wife Kath hand over the £34,250.14 raised for The Kirkwood to Julia Owen, a community fundraiser at the charity.

‘Incredible’ £34,000 raised for Kirkwood by Hanging Heaton Golf Club

Dewsbury and District Hospital is encouraging people to be “part of history” for a special commemorative photograph to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Come and be part of history and celebrate 150th anniversary of hospital

A view of Cleckheaton and the Spen Valley.

Historical group founded by famous writer set to close

From left to right, the five vetearans raising money for Batley charity TCD by climbing Ben Nevis: Neil Harper, Steven Barlow , Marc Turowski, Paul Mitchell and Brian Green.

Veterans to take on Ben Nevis to raise funds for Batley charity

The future of Dewsbury Sports Centre is to be discussed at a public meeting this coming weekend.

Future of Dewsbury Sports Centre to be discussed at public meeting

Birstall Library recently welcomed children from the local community, as well as MP Kim Leadbeater, for a special crafting session to celebrate the National Year of Reading.

National Year of Reading celebrated at Birstall Library

Active Gold, a Mirfield wellbeing centre, is aiming to raise £7,500 to help with plans to expand the business.

Mirfield wellbeing centre aiming to raise £7,500 to help expansion plans

Blue Gems Majorettes, a dance and baton twirling group based in Heckmondwike, has been presented with a cheque for £200 by Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater ahead of a big competition in Blackpool.

Heckmondwike baton twirling group presented with £200 towards competition

In a competition which was won last year by Batley ARLFC Under 8s, Northern will be accepting entries until Friday, March 20.

Competition for grassroots rugby league clubs launched by Northern

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