The Scallymag Feb 2012 edition by Melanie Hill

S CA LL Y A G

THE

Halifax, Brighouse, Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden, Northowram, Shelf and Surrounding areas

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New!

Calm Babies & Happy Parents Can You Change a Child’s Life? Protecting Children from Whooping Cough

Out and About

Halifax History Local Sports Pages

Competition

Win a Place at Junior Chef’s Club

Cannon Hall Farm What’s On Guide

February/March 2012

Issue 24

For Local Parents, Carers & Kids

Daily Diaries

For pre-school and out of school activities

Plus

Local news, features and lots more!

FREE

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page WELCOME header Contents

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News

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New Head at Local Grammar School Police Target Bad Behaviour on Buses Focus On Calm Babies, Happy Parents Can You Change a Child’s Life? Protect Children from Whooping Cough Out n About Cannon Hall Farm What’s On New Features Halifax History Local Sports Competitions Search for the Next Business Gurus Win a Place at Junior Chef’s Club Diary Pages Pre-school diary Out of School diary

welcome page 4 page 5 page 8 page 13 page 23 page 7 page 10 page 9 page 28 page 26 page 27 page 16 page 18

Front Cover

Our vibrant, colourful front page picture was painted by Lightcliffe C of E School pupil Ella Hill-Harnell, aged 5.

Writing this letter is always the last thing I do before the magazine is sent for print. I like to look through the content, refer to it in what I write and make sure everything is just right. I love my job. But for this edition I am probably more excited than ever. Although we’ve been keeping local families informed and entertained for the last five years, this issue is one of firsts. It’s our first bi-monthly magazine – you used to only get four a year. ‘How did we cope?!’ I hear you cry! It’s the first one that will be delivered to the pupils and parents of Ling Bob and Shelf schools – a warm welcome to you all. We now deliver to 40 schools and pre-schools and are very grateful to their staff for distributing The Scallymag for every pupil to take home in their book bag. Another first in this issue, we introduce our brand new local sports pages. We want to hear if you’re a junior sports star or if your school team has done well. Send us an email and we’ll do our very best to feature you in the next edition! We are also delighted to bring you our new Halifax History pages. We’re really keen that local children and their families know about the heritage of our towns and surrounding areas and so will be featuring local stories of days gone by each edition. Check out the fascinating feature on Big Daddy, by Neil Roberts, on page 9. All of the above has been achieved because demand for The Scallymag is growing and growing. But we’re not going to rest on our laurels, we want your input! This is your local, family magazine. Send us your news, views and feature ideas and we’ll continue to grow together! From my family to yours,

Mel

If you’d like to paint or draw a picture for our front cover please post it to The Scallymag (contact details below) by March 20. Our next edition covers the months of April and May so please make your picture bright and seasonal!

Rugby Skills

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME Monday 13th February - Wednesday 15th February 2012 9.30-3pm

Join us for a wide range of activities to keep your children entertained this half term! *Terms & conditions apply

¥ Problem Solving Activities

¥ American Football

¥ Team Building

¥ Netball

¥ Dance

¥ Climbing Wall

¥ Games

£40 for 3 days of activities!

Activities suitable for 8-13 year olds For further information please call 01422 399331 or email inspirecentre@calderdale.ac.uk

For competition entries, to discuss and book advertising space, ideas for future articles or just to let us know what you think of the magazine, please get in touch by any of the following means:

 1 Mountfields, Lightcliffe, Halifax, HX3 8SS  mel@thescallymag.co.uk  Mel: 07527 847423  www.thescallymag.co.uk The Scallymag (Halifax) @thescallymag

Editor: Melanie Hill Lay-out & Design: Hazel Bregazzi Publishing: Bankside House Publishing, Todmorden Distribution: Many thanks to all schools, groups and other businesses which help with the distribution of The Scallymag Special Thanks: To all advertisers whose contribution ensures the magazine can be distributed Free of Charge Editorial & Advertising: The Scallymag, 1 Mountfields, Lightcliffe, Halifax, HX3 8SS e: mel@thescallymag.co.uk Disclaimer: Whilst every care is taken to ensure that information contained in this magazine is true, accurate and fair, the Publisher/ Editors cannot take any responsibility for events arising from the use of this information. Any statements or opinions given in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Publisher or Editors. © The Scallymag® 2011 Nothing may be reproduced without permission

local news

Lottery Boost for New Head at Local Pre-School Grammar School

hildren, parents and staff of Sowood PreSchool are celebrating after receiving a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The money will be used for new resources and equipment to help the dedicated staff prepare the children for school.

Hannele MacNaughtan, a member of the Management Committee, said the money would “make a real difference”. Sowood Pre-School is an Ofsted registered charitable organisation able to care for a maximum of 24 children at any one time, who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage aged from 2 years old to statutory school age. Employing a team of highly skilled staff, the pre-school is managed by a volunteer trustee committee consisting of parents, carers and members of the community.

ipperholme Grammar School has welcomed a new headmaster this term.

Jack Williams joins the school from his previous role at Hillcrest Grammar School in Stockport and has previously worked at Leeds Grammar School and Magdalen College School, Oxford. A Chemistry Graduate from the University of Sheffield, Mr Williams will be taking an active role in the classroom as well as leading

both the Junior and Senior Schools, which together as the Hipperholme Grammar School Foundation provide education for children aged 3 to 18. Mr Williams, who is a softball umpire at national level, said: “I am delighted to have joined the school at an interesting time in education. The opportunity for children from 3 -18 to learn in the same, small nurturing environment is one which all can benefit from. I hope to be able to bring a number of new initiatives to benefit pupils, parents and staff alike, whilst maintaining the aims and ethos which have made the school so successful for over 350 years.” Mr Williams’s wife, Anne, also works in the independent education sector and he has a young son, Oliver.

New Headteacher Mr Jack Wills with Hipperholme Grammar School’s head girl and boy.

Streetdance Comes to Square Chapel

quare Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax has teamed up with Rationale Hiphop Dance Company to deliver Streetdance sessions on Mondays after school.

The classes are for 11-18 years olds and will be held from 4.30-6pm. Michaela O’Sullivan, Education and Outreach Worker at Square Chapel said: “Rationale are a really exciting company based in Sheffield and we are

thrilled to have one of their amazing dancers leading our sessions. There will be an opportunity to perform the curtain raiser to Rationale Hiphop’s own show at Halifax Festival in July. These energetic and fun classes are suitable for complete beginners and those with some experience – just be prepared to work up a sweat!” To book a place, please contact Square Chapel’s box office on 01422 349422 or email michaela@squarechapel.co.uk

Police Target Bad Behaviour on Buses

olice in Halifax have been targeting bad behaviour by schoolchildren using public bus services.

Officers from Halifax Central Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) joined forces with transport executive Metro to mount an operation aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour by schoolchildren travelling on public services. Officers in plain clothes travelled on buses throughout Halifax during the operation. They were supported by uniformed officers who intercepted the buses and youths at the end of the route. During the journey six young people aged 11 to 14, were heard using bad language and seen pushing in to members of the public. Officers escorted the schoolchildren off the buses and spoke to them about their behaviour. The children were then excluded from school for the remainder of the week. Letters were also sent home to parents and followed up by a visit from their local NPT officer.

ightcliffe Scout Group is inviting new members and leaders to join them.

Sgt. John Thomas Sgt John Thomas, of Central NPT, said officers would be carrying out similar operations in the coming weeks and months. “We are not out to criminalise young people but to address anti-social behaviour. We also want to reassure members of the public using the bus services as well as the bus drivers,” he said. “We want those who take things too far to understand the consequences of their actions and the potential for more serious action to be taken, including possible Antisocial Behaviour Orders being issued, should their bad behaviour continue. “The schools were fully supportive of the operation and we have fed back any positive as well as negative behaviour to the students’ head teachers.”

Get Fit Free!

eeping fit is a walk in the park thanks to a new, free outdoor gym at Manor Heath. The equipment includes apparatus that help with tai chi, pull ups, abdominal exercises, tricep dips, stretches, chest press and lateral pull downs. The outdoor gym is opposite the children’s play area in Manor Heath Park, next to the Flutterbites Café. Director of Public Health for Calderdale, Dr Graham Wardman, said: “Our aim with the outdoor gym is to encourage more people to get out in their local area and moving more. It’s something new and a good starting point for those who want to get fit. “Being based in the local community should make it easier to access and

Want to Join the Scouts?

people can use the facilities when they’re out walking the dog or playing with their children.” Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Communities, Councillor Pauline Nash, said: “The outdoor gym has been funded through the Healthy Towns Programme, which aims to make Halifax a healthy town through regeneration, inclusion and fun”.

Boys and girls are welcome to join, along with any adults that would like to take up a leadership role within the group. Cubs meet from 6.45-8.15pm on Mondays, Beavers from 6.15-7.15pm on Tuesdays (this section is currently full but there is a waiting list available) and Scouts from 7.15-9pm on Wednesdays. If you would like further information on how to join please contact Brian Reeves, Group Scout Leader, on 01484 520122 or 07523890583.

Recall of ‘Toxic Seed’ Bracelets

recall is underway of thousands of beaded bracelets sold in tourist attractions after it emerged they are made from a highly toxic seed.

The red and black seed bracelets are made from Jequirity beans which are highly toxic and can be fatal if chewed or swallowed. A number of tourist attractions including London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo and the Eden Project were selling them. The advice for people who have bought or been given a seed bracelet like this in the last two years is to place it in a sealable bag and dispose of it in their household waste. No special treatment is required but do wash hands and avoid touching the eyes after contact with the beans.

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BabyCalm® teacher Andrea Wallman “Thank you so much for your help yesterday, it was absolutely invaluable - I’m pleased to report she stayed calm all afternoon, no more colic! And we got six hours straight sleep for the first time ever, I couldn’t believe it!” - Ellie and baby Jessica (four weeks).

out & about

Calm Babies and Happy Parents

ost mums and dads know that awful feeling when you just can’t calm your baby. For new parents in particular it can be a worrying time.

But now Shelf mum of two Andrea Wallman is helping local parents to calm their baby’s crying, avoid colic and aid restful sleep through her BabyCalm® classes. BabyCalm® is a unique concept, presented through classes and literature, that aims to empower new parents to

raise their baby with confidence; turning crying babies and stressed parents into calmer babies and happier parents! BabyCalm® was founded in 2007 by Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a mother of four and joined in January 2011 by Charlotte Phillips, a mother of one, both from Saffron Walden in Essex. UK. Sarah and Charlotte trained over 100 BabyCalmer’s nationwide in their first year of business alone! 2012 sees BabyCalm’s launch into Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Spain with a USA launch planned for 2013.

Andrea, a qualified antenatal teacher and BabyCalm teacher, is running a variety of Babycalm courses across the district:

The BabyCalm® Baby Calming Parenting Course

A unique four week (eight hour) course designed for new mothers and babies, incorporating baby calming and communications skills, interactive class discussion of many topics that new mums commonly face and baby touch therapy. The classes will help you bond with your new baby, help him or her to be calm and happy, free of colic and help you to experience a stress free relationship of trust, calm and confidence.

The BabyCalm® Colic and Crying Workshop

Intended as an emergency one off class to help new parents whose babies are suffering from prolonged crying and/or baby colic and fretful sleep. Andrea will firstly help you understand why your baby is so unsettled and then demonstrate many techniques and tools to help your baby settle, calm colic and sleep better!

The BabyCalm® Antenatal Workshop

Designed to introduce new parents to the reasons that babies are commonly unsettled, including an explanation of baby colic and common reasons babies cry, helping them to understand their baby before they are even born! You will learn how to be a confident mum or dad able to welcome your baby into a world where they are calmer and more settled and be armed with many techniques to make your baby’s transition from womb to world as smooth and comfortable as possible, avoid colic and aid sleep for the whole family. Gift Vouchers are available as a great present for expectant parents. Fantastic offer for Scallymag readers see discount voucher on page 31

Cannon Hall Farm By Carrie Goodwin

f you’re looking for a fun family day out that offers value for money, Cannon Hall Farm has it all.

After hearing lots of positive things about it, we decided to give it a go. We arrived at around 10.30am on a chilly morning to explore the Best Tourist Experience Yorkshire has to offer, according to the judges at Yorkshire’s White Rose Awards, and now according to us too. Finding the farm was easy; parking was easy, it seems everything has been thought of. Admission is £4.95 per person (less for senior citizens and under 4s are free). It’s great value for money as this gives you access to the farm and the adventure playgrounds for as long as you choose to stay. The farm is well stocked with sheep, goats,

cows, llamas, guinea pigs, rabbits and our favourite, the pigs. My little one wanted to see Peppa Pig and he wasn’t disappointed. There were plenty, and at a range of ages, some just days old. We also had a quick cuddle with a rabbit and a guinea pig in the animal petting area, which apparently isn’t a place where animals go to kiss! After that we went to explore the adventure playground. After recently spending £400,000 on new equipment, which includes a climbing forest, tube maze, zip wire and pyramid towers, the staff at Cannon Hall Farm know how to entertain the whole family. The play area was lots of fun, so much so, I found myself climbing through the tube maze with lots of five and six year olds. Then, when the cold weather got the better of us we decided to head over to the tea rooms to warm up and refuel. The choice is pretty good. There’s a children’s menu with all the usuals you would expect to see at a farm café but there are also gluten free options, decaf drinks and all the extras that nudge it up towards a luxury offering. And, if you spend £10 in the tea room you can claim back the £3 you paid to park.

On a practical point, there are toilets and hand sanitizers everywhere. The staff are helpful and it’s easy to get around with a buggy. There’s also plenty planned for the Easter holidays including sheepdog demonstrations where you can watch the dogs showing off their skills herding ducks and geese, bird of prey demonstrations and a huge Easter Egg Hunt. On top of all that it’s lambing season with around 200 ewes to lamb.

Essential Info Cannon Hall Farm is five miles west of Barnsley, 10 minutes from junction 37 of the M1 and about a 40 minutes drive from the centre of Halifax. Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley, S75 4AT 01226 790427 info@cannonhallfarm.co.uk www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk

local history

A Hidden Spicy Gem

curry night in a pub on a Tuesday evening is certainly a departure from our normal routine.

When we teetered up the cobbles to the Cross Inn at Heptonstall on a foggy January night we didn’t really know what to expect. But stepping from the damp night air into the warm and welcoming inn we knew we were on to a good thing. I have to say I spice produced amongst the best curry I have ever tasted. We were there as a family for their Connoisseur Curry Night. The attention to detail and explanation of each dish was exquisite. These guys cook delicious meals, have the personal touch to passionately talk through the make-up of their dishes, which in the main is from locally grown sources, and their evenings are laid back and welcoming. Kids, as long as they’re well behaved, are most welcome too. We will definitely be back. • I spice is venturing into Halifax! From 6-8pm every Wednesday from February 15th they will be at the Three Pigeons, South Parade, Halifax. See www.ispice. biz for details. For a FREE child’s meal see the voucher on page 31!

Big daddy By Neil Roberts

ife was very different for your grandparents. On rainy Saturday afternoons we couldn’t play on the Wii, or even on computers because they quite simply hadn’t been invented. For our entertainment in the 1970s and early 1980s we relied on playing with our friends, reading or watching the three available television channels. That’s right: just three television channels. The very best thing you could watch on Saturday afternoon was World of Sport. This programme would show a variety of sports we hardly ever see on television any more, like ten-pin bowling, rallying and lacrosse. Some of the sports that were particularly popular around Halifax at the time would get a lot of coverage, including stock car racing, speedway and, most importantly, wrestling. The king of the wrestling ring was a giant of a man, from Halifax, known as Big Daddy. Big Daddy’s real name was Shirley Crabtree. His father had been called Shirley too. Some sources say his grandmother had named him after a famous local novel, written by Charlotte Bronte, and that she thought the name would be character building. It certainly helped him to learn to fight when the other children at school bullied him. When he left school he started to play rugby for Bradford Northern but never made the first team because his temper was too bad. In 1952 he took up wrestling, which his dad had done professionally before, and became quite successful. In those days wrestlers would either be goodies or baddies. Shirley was a baddie. He fought under several names, including the Blonde Adonis, and won two titles

in the British Wrestling Federation. In 1960 he gave it all up. Then, one day, sixteen years later, Shirley was watching a film where one of the characters was called Big Daddy. He thought that name would work well for a wrestler and decided to give life in the ring another go. His wife, Eunice, took the cover from the family sofa and turned it into a wrestling costume, stitching a huge “D” on it. Then he called on his brother Max, who had become famous as someone who organised wrestling matches. By now Shirley was in his mid-40s. He was six foot, six inches tall and weighed a massive 26 stone. He had

the largest chest in Britain, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as 64 inches. Bigger than his chest was his enormous tummy, which he used as his most effective weapon. Big Daddy was infamous for falling on his opponents, flattening them with his huge belly. This move was called The Belly Splash. He was no longer a baddy: he was every child’s hero. He would walk to the ring with a sparkly silver top hat and Union Jack cape, with the crowd chanting “Easy! Easy!”. Big Daddy rarely seemed to lose a match. His arch enemy was another giant of a man, a baddy named Giant Haystacks who would glare and stare at Daddy, while the old ladies and children in the audience would shout insults at Haystacks and encourage Daddy to take him on. Things were looking up for Big Daddy. He was a national hero. He even recorded a record, was featured in a comic strip and was offered his own TV show. Then disaster struck. On 23rd August 1987 a bout between Big Daddy and Mal “King Kong” Kirk went terribly wrong. After being hit by a belly splash from Big Daddy, King Kong Kirk groaned and collapsed. He was rushed to hospital, but died from a massive heart attack. Although everyone agreed it was not Shirley’s fault, he blamed himself and never fought seriously again. Not long later, ITV stopped showing wrestling, and the whole sport quietly disappeared. Shirley Crabtree died on December 2nd, 1997 – but the legend of Big Daddy still lives on.

what’s on

ebruary and March are jam-packed with fun events for all the family in Calderdale and beyond. Here’s our pick of some of the best:

‘Elmo Makes Music’ comes to the Victoria Theatre

The Muppets is shown at the Rex Cinema, Elland, from Friday February 10 to February 19. Starring Jason Segel, Ricky Gervais, Selena Gomez and more. From 10am-5pm,February 11-19 there’s an Alice in Wonderland event running at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax. Admission for adults and child aged 3+ £9.95, child 1-2 £3.45 and Under 1s free. The Saturday Art Club, for 8-12 year olds, is held at the Smith Art Gallery, Brighouse, from 10.30am-12.30pm on February 11 and 25 and March 10 and 24. The sessions use the fantastic collections at the Gallery and library for inspiration allowing children to be creative, have fun and make new friends. Admission £5. To book a place please contact Jeffrey on 01422 352334, or e-mail jeffrey. andrews@calderdale.gov.uk The seventh Doghouse Family Friendly Sunday event will be held from 2.30-7.20pm on February 12 at Arden Road Social Club in Bell Hall, Halifax. The Great Si Moano Children’s Entertainer will perform at 4.30pm, food will be available, free car parking.

Bands include Arthur Rigby & the Baskervylles and The Mexanines - 5.30pm. Admission £6 or£5 for regulars. U16 £3. U4 free. Halifax Light Opera Society Juniors present Godspell from February 14-18. Performances start at 7:30pm at Halifax Playhouse. Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre in Heckmondwike is holding a host of events during half-term. On February 13 and 14 there are Valentine’s craft days, children’s fun days on February 15 and 17 and Mother’s Day Crafts on February 16. Sesame Street Live Elmo Makes Music comes to the Victoria Theatre in Halifax at 2pm on Saturday February 18. Favourite Sesame Street friends take to the stage to share their love of music. From Big Bird’s tweets, Oscar the Grouch’s stomping trash can lids, Cookie Monster’s crumbling cookie jars and much more become instruments to make beautiful music and have lots of noisy fun! Tickets £12, under 16s £10. Family tickets available. An indoor car bootless stall is being held at Bailiff

Bridge Community Centre from 8amnoon on February 26. Refreshments available. Call 07511 573569 for information. Also on Sunday February 26 Theatre Hullabaloo presents ‘Angel’ at the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax. This beautiful and witty play about childhood and ageing is a fantastic story of unexpected friendship. Suitable for ages 10+. Duration one hour. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Full priced tickets £8. Hoofers Dance Studio presents Dance, Music & Song at 7pm on Saturday March 3 at the Victoria Theatre. A fantastic show featuring locally born singer AJ Brown & Swingshift BigBand led by Phil Shotton with guest musical director Ian Darrington MBE, together with the amazing dancers from Hoofers Dance Studio. During the first act dancers of all ages will take to the stage, then following the interval AJ, Swingshift and senior pupils will entertain you. Tickets £12 under 16s £9. Discounts available. Staying with the Victoria Theatre The Chuckle Brothers perform there at 2pm on Sunday March 4. Paul and Barry are visiting a Theme park for the day and decide to brave going on one of the daring water rides. Once inside, they accidentally find themselves magically transported back in time to a world of pirates and sunken treasures. Fun and laughter for all the family. Tickets £14. As part of National Science and Engineering Week Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is hosting The Gross Lab on March 10,11, 17 and 18. The Jane Elizabeth Ballet and Theatre Dance School presents Dancing round the Planets at the Victoria Theatre at

7pm on Saturday March 10. Set to music that explores our universe and all its wonders, this fabulous show is perfect for the whole family. Tickets £15 under 16s £13. Discounts available. To celebrate Mother’s Day there is free entry for all mums at Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre in Heckmondwike on Sunday March 18 (not valid with any other vouchers/ offers). Celebrating its 10th Anniversary year, Stardom School of Performing Arts makes a welcome return to the Victoria Theatre with their theatrical extravaganza, Razzle Dazzle ‘Em 2012. Packed full of dance, drama and song, this show is perfect for the whole family! Saturday March 24 at 1pm and 7pm and Sunday March 25 at 3pm. Tickets £18, under 16s £14. Discounts available. The Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company presents ‘The Way Back Home’ at the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts at 2.30pm on Sunday March 25. Suitable for ages 3+. Full priced tickets £7.

Theatre Hullabuloo presents ‘Angel’ at the Square Chapel

Opera North presents ‘Cautionary Tales’ at the Square Chapel on March 27 and March 28. Full of colourful tunes and stories this is a lively short piece of musical theatre for all the family and an ideal introduction to opera. Suitable for ages 5+. Get ready for the spectacular, all new, professional, Easter pantomime, the Wizard of Oz at the Victoria Theatre at 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday April 3 and 1pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday April 4. Starring the hilarious Bobby Davro as Scarecrow and children’s favourite Sarah-Jane Honeywell from CBeebies Tikkabilla, Mighty Mites, ZingZillas and Higgledy House as Glinda, plus a full supporting cast and amazing dancers. Also yet to be announced... a very special guest star as Dorothy. Suitable for all ages. Tickets: £18, under 16s £16. Family tickets and discounts available.

Venues

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, HX1 2NE. 01422 330069 Smith Art Gallery, Halifax Road, Brighouse, HD6 2AF. 01422 288065 Bailiff Bridge Community Centre, Victoria Road, Bailiff Bridge, HD6 4DX Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, 10 Square Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1QG. Box Office 01422 349422 Halifax Playhouse, King Cross Street, Halifax, HX1 2SH, 01422 365998 Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre, Ponderosa Park, Off Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike, WF16 0PN. 01924 235276

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Thousands turn to ChildLine over holiday season

hildLine received almost 50,000 cries for help from children and young people in the twelve days from Christmas Eve to 4th January, a 19 per cent increase on last year’s figures.

Contacts by telephone, email or online chat to ChildLine totalled 48,751 over the festive period and figures show a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of counselling interactions on Christmas Day compared with last year. Family problems remained the primary concern of children and young people who contacted ChildLine, accounting for 14 per cent of the total counselling interactions. However, there was a dramatic increase in depression and mental health related counselling, which has increased by 103 per cent compared with Christmas 2010. Counselling regarding self-harm and suicide also increased by 62 per cent and 57 per 

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                           

     

cent respectively. This comes as more and more children are now contacting ChildLine online where many feel more able to talk about the most difficult issues. Visits to the ChildLine website increased by 57 per cent last year. In 71 cases over the festive season the situation was so serious that they had to be referred to other agencies such as the police and children’s services, a 109 per cent increase on last year. Around 59 per cent of these referrals were regarding suicide.

Are you a child?

Do you need to talk? Call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk

Worried about a child?

You may be their only hope. Call the NSPCC Helpline now on 0808 800 5000

High resolution posters are available to download from the NSPCC Website

wordup design logo design business stationery posters flyers & leaflets menus adverts company brochures catalogues & binders ncr sets Next time you are looking for design and print work contact Liz for a quote.

Tel: 01422 824618 liz@wordupdesign.co.uk www.wordupdesign.co.uk

Can You Change a Child’s Life?

s The Scallymag went to press, there were 300 children in Calderdale in need of fostering and only 90 foster carers.

There’s an obvious need to double the number of foster carers in our area for there to be a good choice for children who can’t live with their own families. Coun Megan Swift is highlighting the urgent need to recruit foster carers: “Not having enough foster carers often means that children cannot be placed with the right foster carers in their own area, or brothers and sisters may have to be placed in separate foster families,” she said. “If the right foster family is not available straight away this can sometimes mean that children have to be placed with fostering agencies outside of the borough or placed temporarily with alternative carers and then moved again within a short space of time.”

It’s not a problem that is acute to Calderdale. Nationally, there is a shortage of foster carers and Calderdale Council is launching a campaign to recruit more. The council has streamlined the way in which it recruits foster carers, reducing the expected average time it takes for someone from making an initial enquiry to becoming a foster carer to six months, as opposed to the previous average which was 12 months. Coun Swift said: “We have opportunities for dedicated and loving people to start a rewarding career in foster care. We’ll provide people with the financial support, training and the potential to make a difference in every moment of a child’s life.” Calderdale Council Leader Coun Janet Battye said: “We want people who are able to make a difference to young people’s lives to seriously think about fostering. “We value every person who is either providing foster care or who is thinking about becoming a foster carer. We need

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer shou ld contact the Calderd ale Council on 0845 24 5 6000 or visit Calder dale.gov. uk/fosterin g to provide the best support we can to those already fostering and make the process quicker and easier for those who want to become foster carers.” Foster carers currently receive payments ranging between £10,280 and £28,836 per year based on individual circumstances and the needs of the child they care for. Payments are regularly reviewed to make sure that foster carers have all the support they need.

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diary pages

he Scallymag Diary Pages are a FREE listings service designed to help busy parents and kids plan their week’s activities.

Humpty Dumpty PreSchool Highroadwell & Warley United Reformed Church, Warley Road, Halifax 07952 995710

Holy Trinity Primary School Playgroup Holy Trinity Primary School, Savile Park Road, Halifax 01422 367161

Hopscotch Tuel Lane, Sowerby Bridge Vera - 01422 316227

Warley St Johns Under 5’s Playgroup Warley St Johns Church, Windleroyd Lane, off Burnley Rd, Warley 01422 885623/320592

Monday