THE CONDUCTING SWAN

Picture taken down at Apperley Bridge ox bow lake a few years back

BEWARE DRIVING IN BRADFORD

this poor chap was just waiting at the lights at Laisterdyke.

BBC Link

SPOT THE BIRDY

Spot the birdy in this picture

OVERVIEW

 I have had this idea running around in my head for a while now. Basically an extension of The Thackley Trumpit. This publication has been a local success but has its limitations of content. As we all know Idle and Thackley are a fairly affluent part of the greater Bradford area. But it is falling into a slow decline as time passes by. People want to live here but there are few jobs locally. We have a few good companies dotted about and plenty of retail opportunities which serve the local communities, many craftsmen and service providers live in the area but work elsewhere. A community can only thrive if its population is economically active. Shops, pubs and restaurants can only survive if people have money to spend. Local people and businesses need a helping hand with information about what is going on in the area, who’s available to do work (plumbers etc) who’s available to work, work that is available working within local businesses and organisations. Spiritually it is important to know what is available from various churches, hobbies, history, art and pastimes which are enjoyed by the local population and could attract new members if they are in possession of information. From a political perspective keeping a check on politicians by informing the electorate about plans and decisions which happen behind closed doors. Local people can make a difference on the wider stage. An example would be Joseph Whitworth probable one of the most important engineers ever to have lived was educated in Idle. His impact on the world as a whole is incalculable. I only learned this fact the other day. Local man Dean Harrison is now a works motorcycle racer and making a name for himself on the world stage. We have a world famous motorcycle parts manufacturer down Albion road. All sorts of things are happening within the village, most of the information is spread by word of mouth, but increasingly the internet and social media play a larger part in any community. Facebook and twitter can inform many people instantaneously of events and opinion. All these things are fine if you are part of an organisation like a church where members can be emailed,tweeted or posted on facebook if your not in the loop then you don’t get to know. We intend to provide a one stop shop for activities within the local north Bradford area funded by advertising. The only way to attract advertising is to have a lot of visitors to the site. This means making sure that the information provided is of good quality and an interest to enough people to make it attractive for advertisers. Initially these will be provided by advertisers the Trumpit.

EMMANUEL COLLEGE PTA

SHOULDER OF MUTTON

The Shoulder has been shut now for about two years. I noticed when driving past the other day that some work appears to have started. does anyone know anything.

Brackendale Mill Complex a hidden treasure

When the developers of Brackendale Mills started work on the old mills I thought they may have missed an opportunity to add to their green credentials. Although it has been a major on going story in the Trumpit for some considerable time now, about what was going to happen to the site. One of the major attractions of living in Brackendale is the duck pond, which for years has given pleasure to the local community. I heard recently that the ghastly chain link fence has been removed and access restored. It is an idyllic spot. To just sit on the grass and watch the world and the ducks go by or as I did as a kid play football on the grass near the lane. If we go even further back in time and ask ourselves why is the mill pond there in the first place? It is there for one of two reasons. To provide power to the mill or provide fresh water for washing raw wool. The depth of the pond was or is regulated by a weir in the north west corner. This water ran down a stone goit to a more recent concrete tank and from there into the mill complex. I have found out more recently that there is also valve gear situated along the north side of the dam. This valve gear would be used to either empty the pond or direct water into the mill to be used as required. This my friends is the hidden treasure. There is a difference in height from the duck pond to the railway at the bottom of approx 10.0m. This hydraulic head could be used to power a generator. There are other factors to be taken into account, mainly how much water runs through the pond at any one time. There will be more in winter as the rain runs straight off the land whereas in summer a large amount of water is taken up by vegetation. If the weir was raised and the pond dredged to create more capacity a simple system could be put in place to harvest this potential energy, with no ill effects on the fauna, flora and the aesthetic appeal of our beloved duck pond. I believe there is people looking for ideas for things to do around the village, this would be ideal for a company to take on or as a village money raiser. It is only an idea and would require some further research. If anyone knows anything about the mill water works I would be pleased to hear from them

REFERENDUM BILL

Now I don't know which way anyone wants to vote on an EU referendum. I am too young to have had a say in the first place.The problem is I am not likely to get a vote anyway because the Peers of the realm have scuppered the bill to guarantee a vote on the issue in the next parliament. Not for one minute can I believe that those troughing scumbags in Westminster will even allow me a vote so I'm afraid I will be throwing my vote at the UKIP candidate in the forthcoming Euro elections in spring.  

DELTIC PASSING THROUGH SHIPLEY

I was stood outside Aldi in Shipley on Saturday when I heard an approaching train from Leeds. With the sun in my eyes I saw the rear end of what I assumed was a DMU heading for Lancaster or Carlisle. As it crossed the bridge on the Skipton line I noticed it was a an old English Electric Deltic with just two carriages in tow. not your usual motive power in this neck of the woods.

ALEX TOTH-JONES

ALEX TOTH-JONES
Setting off to PFI Trent Valley Kart Club for winter champs - Full grids and looking like a wet weekend - looking forward to it. PF International Kart Circuit

Immanuel College PTA

Karen Toth-Jones reports

To all Bradford school PTA members out there Immanuel College is hosting an event run by PTAUK on 12th February - its for local PTA's to share knowledge and ideas as well as lots of info on how to raise funds etc
LINK Immanuel College PTA