Huge new names added to Piece Hall summer series
Plus: Councillors row over closure of Todmorden plant
Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Calderdale Lead!
We’re all longing for a bit of summer sun I’m sure.
Well, I’ve not got that to offer you but I have got details of another two HUGE names that have been added to the Piece Hall bill for their TK Maxx Presents… series this summer.
And we’ve got a report from the LDRS’ John Greenwood on a tetchy meeting of the Cabinet in which Labour and the Conservatives locked horns over who was to blame for Weir closing their Todmorden plant.
So, on with the news…
Squeeze and Doves added to Piece Hall bill for summer of live music
Legendary British bands Squeeze and Doves have been added to the line-up for TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2025.
Legendary new wave band Squeeze are bringing their timeless hits to the spectacular Piece Hall on August 1 and it’s set to be a night of pure nostalgia and top-tier songwriting.
With a career spanning five decades, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook have penned some of the most iconic British pop songs ever—think Cool for Cats, Up the Junction, and Tempted. Their sharp lyricism and melodic hooks still hit just as hard today.
Known for their witty storytelling and unmistakable sound, Squeeze's live shows are packed with energy, musicianship, and singalong moments galore.
Support comes from Badly Drawn Boy.
Meanwhile, two-time Mercury-nominated Doves will play the open courtyard on August 23 as part of their latest tour, joined by special guests Cast and Apollo Junction.
The band are set to release their new album Constellations for the Lonely on February 28 and then hit the road as a two-piece with founding brothers Jez and Andy Williams holding the fort in the absence of singer Jimi Goodwin, who is still recovering from mental health issues and substance abuse.
If last winter’s preview shows - which included a show at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge - are anything to go by, fans are in for an absolute treat despite missing Goodwin and it feels like the Piece Hall is the perfect venue for their brand of cinematic melancholy!
This summer’s line-up also includes Smashing Pumpkins, Pendulum, Leon Bridges, Anastacia, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Gary Barlow, The Who frontman Roger Daltrey and two nights from former Beautiful South maestro Paul Heaton among others.
Piece Hall CEO Nicky Chance-Thompson told The Calderdale Lead last year that she believes the place's energy may contribute to its success.
She said: “There is a magnetism to it because it is such an amazing building. It's unexpected that it's here in Halifax. Why is it unexpected? I don't know.
“Probably because people didn't know it existed for a long time. Clearly did in Georgian times, Victorian times, the local people knew about it. But outside of Halifax, the borough, I still meet people from Leeds who tell me they've never been.”
Tickets for both shows go on sale at 10am on Friday (February 21). For more information click here.
Councillors play blame game over Weir plant closure in Todmorden
By LDRS’ John Greenwood
Councillors in Calderdale have crossed swords over who is to blame for the potential closure of Todmorden’s biggest employer.
In January, the Weir Group revealed it was consulting on closing its site at Todmorden – the town’s largest employer, with commenters on local social media saying the new is devastating for the town.
Weir has a global presence in mining technology and associated pump manufacture.
Senior councillors were asked what Calderdale Council was doing about the issue, but the question sparked disagreements about the potential causes.
Conservative Councillor Felicity Issott said the Government should intervene to secure jobs and asked Cabinet members: “Please advise what you are doing to keep the factory open, and should this include speaking with the Government and local MPs?”
But Con Issott also claimed Cabinet member Coun Sarah Courtney’s statement that the council could do all it could to support people “means nothing for local residents, because it is abundantly clear that Labour’s National Insurance increases and mismanagement of the economy are driving business decisions such as these.”
This was denied by Coun Courtney and, when Coun Issott raised the issue again in a later debate introduced by the Conservatives on the new Government’s National Insurance policy more generally, by Coun Adam Wilkinson, also a Labour representative.
Coun Courtney, in whose ward the Weir plant sits, said councillors needed to understand the company’s decision had been taken in the context of international market demand – with future mining commodities such as copper were mostly located in central Asia, the Middle East and Africa and the company had said it was looking to consolidate its production capacity.
Senior officers from the council met immediately with Weir’s senior management team and dedicated staff to the case, she said.
“In line with Weir’s collective consultation process with staff we will wrap around the bespoke employment support package including working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on any additional needs to ensure that Weir staff secure future employment, and further work will follow on supply chain impacts and he approach to the use of the site,” said Coun Courtney.
Coun Wilkinson in the later debate when Coun Issott raised the NI issue again in relation to Weir, said he had a lot of discussions about the closure with a relative who worked there and the matter of National Insurance had never come up in those conversations.
Weir, in a statement on its website, said: “A recent review of the Minerals Division EMEA region has highlighted significant overcapacity, particularly at the Todmorden plant.
“If implemented, the proposal would result in the closure of the Todmorden plant by the end of 2025 with production being relocated to other facilities in the EMEA region, including to the Division’s South African foundries in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. Should this proceed, Weir is committed to minimising redundancies and providing robust support to affected colleagues during the transition.”
It is thought around 250 jobs would be affected by the closure.
That’s it for this midweek edition of The Calderdale Lead.
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Enjoy the rest of the week and we’ll be back in your inbox on Sunday!
Andrew