Happy Valley

P and I have been over to Hebden Bridge for a bit of respite from the worries of the world, although it’s hard not to remain acutely aware of them wherever you go.

Both of us spent regular time in Hebden in our younger years but neither of us had been there very recently so it was good to see that it still retained its funky, ramshackle charm and that almost all the shops in town remain independent. It felt slightly less ‘alternative’ than it once did though.

A highlight for me was being treated to a fantastic musical playlist by the young barman at The People’s Pizzeria - focused heavily on The Band in the week of the death of the last remaining member of their classic line-up, the mighty Garth Hudson.

Garth’s organ stylings are particularly in evidence on ‘Chest Fever’ from their debut album ‘Music From Big Pink’ (1968) https://youtu.be/S7qqnK0Q5hk?si=y2gmIyl1LITfARZy

(The pizza was excellent too!).

But the song I most associate with Hebden Bridge is ‘Life in a Northern Town’ by The Dream Academy. The video was shot in and around Hebden back in 1985 https://youtu.be/X5uxQElYu68?si=YZFBKBch53FkkDEU but has a pretty timeless feel.

We travelled home via the Brontë’s neck of the moors, Haworth - see the Extra.