Hebden Bridge News

Community Arts Group In Crisis

The future of the Hebden Bridge community arts group HEADS appears in doubt. The organisers of the enormously successful Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade have revealed to the press that their application for funding from Arts Council, England has been rejected, putting them in financial crisis. The trustees of the group have suggested their resources may run dry by early Autumn. Lee Comer, Chair of the board of trustees, is quoted in the Hebden Bridge Times as saying: “About two or three days before the parade we found out that we weren’t going to get funding on the basis that we had before. There is simply not enough grant money from the Arts Council, England, to go around to all the organisations.”

“Many in Hebden Bridge would be utterly devastated if HEADS were to fold, I for one would love to see the Handmade Parade become an annual event.”

However, there is hope that a much needed life line still exists for the group. The Arts Council may yet still agree to fund individual projects, since the group will qualify for funding on that basis as a registered charity. HEADS has been organising community arts projects in Hebden Bridge for over 8 years, and this year’s spectacular Handmade Parade attracted massive crowds to the town centre.

A spokesman for the local community declared that: “Many in Hebden Bridge would be utterly devastated if HEADS were to fold, I for one would love to see the Handmade Parade become an annual event.”

Individuals and businesses are being encouraged to help save HEADS either by making a small donation, or by simply becoming a member of the group for only £5 per year. To apply for membership, make a donation, or to find out more about HEADS, you can contact them by telephone on 01422 846060.

Visit The HEADS Website