Why I like living in Hebden Bridge

My watch stopped yesterday. I had no idea where to buy a new battery and presumed I’d have to go into Halifax, 8 miles away. So just on the off chance I googled ‘watch battery Hebden Bridge ‘  and up popped a jewellers, on MY STREET! Of course, I’d never noticed it since I’m not in the market for fine jewellry. ‘Would you have a battery to fit this watch?’ ‘Leave it with me for 10 minutes,’ came the reply. I didn’t sign a form. He didn’t even ask for my phone number, let alone a name. In those 10 minutes I went to the butcher’s, (2 Cumberland sausages) the baker’s (a seeded bloomer) and  – no, not the candlestick makers – just the greengrocer’s, ( a parsnip and some Branston pickle) and so by the time I went back to the jewellers my watch was ready. ‘Five pounds please, luv.’

The predicted snow has not arrived in force yet, just smatterings that’s not stuck on the ground, so I’ve decided to forget the weather and risk a trip into Manchester  to go to a concert tonight, which, with a great deal of  imagination since I’ll be wearing my fur boots, thermal underwear, down jacket, bobble hat and gloves,  will transport me to somewhere nice and warm : Welcome to one of the most evocative concerts of the year. Forget the damp cold winter outside and join the Hallé and Craig Ogden, who performs Rodrigo’s matchless guitar concerto, for an evening of Spanish-inspired warmth and passion.

Gergely Madaras conductor | Craig Ogden guitar

Bizet Carmen Suite No.1 and Habañera | Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez | Piazzolla Libertango (for guitar and strings) |Chabrier Rhapsody: España | Falla The Three Cornered Hat: Suite No. 1 and 2 | Ravel Bolero