'Tis the season to be jolly... and look back on a great year
Today's edition is a round-up of the best stories of 2025!
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
I hope everyone has had a cracking Christmas and you didn’t overindulge too much in all the festive foodie delights.
The fine weather has certainly meant there’s been an opportunity or two for me to get out and about in our brilliant borough over the last few days and see just how beautiful it is at this time of year.
In today’s edition we’ve got a look at the brilliant Tractor Run which took place on Christmas Eve across the Calder Valley.
Plus, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite stories of the year.
So, on with today’s edition…
Watch: Tractor Run lights up Calder Valley in Christmas Eve treat!
A big shout out to the organisers of the Christmas Eve Tractor Run which, once again, was a huge success as a range of tractors and agricultural vehicles made their way through the Calder Valley with a lot of lights and fanfare!
Plus, they have already raised thousands of pounds for two charities - Candlelighters, which provides support for the families of children with cancer, and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
To donate, click here.
Here’s a video of what went on, courtesy of YouTube user Dark Side of the Moor…
Our favourite stories of the year…
It’s been a busy year here at The Calderdale Lead so we thought we’d round up some of our favourite stories from 2025 as we look ahead to the new year and another 12 months of news ahead.
It was great to catch-up with chef Oliver Lawson about his new venture in Hebden Bridge - Saltas - which was inspired by the spirit of the American dream and one of his relatives who was once the talk of New York!
New Hebden Bridge deli evokes spirit of the American dream
Hello and welcome to The Calderdale Lead.
As a journalist I always feel very privileged to speak to people who make a real difference to other people and their lives.
And Kim Sheddon, one of the founders of Mothershare, a charity in Halifax that helps to provide goods to struggling families, is certainly one of those people.
I don’t mind admitting that this interview did leave me feeling quite emotional.
'No child should have to go to school in someone else's underwear': Halifax charity founder on battle to end child poverty
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They say a year is a long time in politics and 2025 certainly saw plenty of change in the political landscape across Calderdale. We had the defection of Labour councillor Dan Sutherland to Reform UK, who then added a second councillor when Paul Hawkaluk won the Skircoat by-election.
With all-out elections next May in Calderdale, it promises to be an interesting start to 2026 as the various parties battle for voters’ cross.
Anyway, it’s fair to say that the Labour Party locally were a little disappointed with Cllr Sutherland’s defection…
Labour disappointment as councillor defects to Reform UK despite previous support for 'progressive issues'
Hello and welcome to the midweek edition of The Calderdale Lead!
That’s it for this edition. Thanks for reading.
I hope you’ve enjoyed looking back at some of our favourite interviews/stories from 2025. We’ve got plenty planned for 2026 so why not hit that subscribe button or even consider taking out a paid subscription?
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Until next time,
Andrew