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01/06/2009 - Event Organiser wanted for Doggies for Moggies

Haworth Cat Rescue is asking animal lovers to organise this year’s Doggies for Moggies fundraising walk on their behalf to save the event from cancellation.

“It’s very sad and a major blow to us, but the truth is we simply do not have the manpower to organise it,” said Corinne Moore, campaign manager. “Unless someone comes forward soon we have no alternative.”

The Doggies for Moggies sponsored walks have been very successful in the past and have included the eight mile Railway Children’s Walk - but there are all sorts of options for all levels of human and doggie ability.

“We are very much hoping that an individual or social group will take this fun event on as now is the perfect time of year to be out and about enjoying the countryside and the wonderful sunshine,” said Corinne

Dogs can be ‘borrowed’ from friends to join the walk, and it’s an enjoyable way of keeping fit and meeting new friends. Those not wishing to actually take part on the day can help by getting sponsorship for the dogs taking part.

“We can help with publicising the event and give as much advice as needed, and organisers can have free reign as to the time and date – and are welcome to put their own special stamp on it. Event organising is a great way of building a CV, too”

“Please, please get in touch with me on 07898 640700 and keep Doggies for Moggies alive,” added Corinne.

Photo: Courtesy Haworth Cat Rescue.

About Haworth Cat Rescue here...
Haworth Cat Rescue's website www.haworthcatrescue.org

01/05/2009 Open Letter from Haworth Cat Rescue Patron, author Milly Johnson
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

The above quote is attributed to Edmund Burke, a well-known 18th century political philosopher. It is particularly fitting in the context of Yorkshire’s appalling reputation for animal cruelty and neglect.

If England were to be judged as an animal loving nation based on Yorkshire, it would not be given that accolade. Time and again, the suffering of animals is overlooked because people come first. Yet, Haworth Cat Rescue, gives so much to people as well as animals. It gives hope to the lonely by bringing a new friend into their home to talk to and to love. It gives comfort to those reluctantly forced to surrender their much loved pet because the care home or hospice into which they are moving will not allow them to bring their cherished companion. You see, the charity will never put a cat to sleep because it is ‘too old’ or has a medical condition such as diabetes. All are cared for until a new and loving home is found.

A friend once commented that the Samaritans ask suicidal callers if they have a pet as a way of giving them a reason to live. I don’t know if it’s true, but I do know that in some of my darkest moments, my cats have been there for me, soothing me with their purring and making me smile again.

Apathy and dormant goodwill will not bring about the change that is so essential to reverse Yorkshire’s animal cruelty record and restore the special bond between animals and people that somehow as a society we have lost.

I am honoured to be patron of Haworth Cat Rescue because I care about animal welfare and the wellbeing of people. For me, they go hand in paw.

Please donate your one pound towards the appeal to buy land on which to build a new rehoming centre. Click on to www.haworthcatrescue.org or send your cheque to Haworth Cat Rescue, The Farm, Lower Pierce Close, Cross Roads, Keighley BD22 9AQ. Thank you.

Milly Johnson can be found at www.millyjohnson.co.uk

_____________________________________

14/04/2009 Haworth Cat Rescue Appoints Local Author as Patron
Milly Johnson author of popular romantic comedies Yorkshire Pudding Club and The Birds and the Bees has become Haworth Cat Rescue’s first patron. She will be signing copies of her newly released third novel A Spring Affair published by Simon and Schuster in Morrisons, Keighley between 9.30am and 11.30 am on Saturday April 18.

“We will be having an in-store collection to raise funds for our new Centre appeal on the same day, so are thrilled that Milly we will able to join us,” said Corinne Moore, Campaign Manager

Milly, who describes herself as a ‘half-Glaswegian Barnsley bird’ lives in Barnsley with her sons, Terence and George and her menagerie of animals including her four rescue cats.

“I was honoured to have been asked to become Patron and equally honoured to accept,” says MIlly. “Haworth Cat Rescue is close to my heart because I adopted one of my first rescue cats from them almost 15 years ago.”

“The funny thing is I never liked cats at all, I was always a dog person. A boyfriend suggested we get a cat to keep the dog company and at the time I remember thinking what the heck had I done?

“Cats were strange beings to me and I couldn’t see the point of why somebody would want this independent being around the house that you did things for and got nothing back - but how wrong I was. Just the presence of a cat in the house lifts your status from house to home. Needless to say, the boyfriend went and the cats stayed. And cats have been in my life ever since!”

Milly studied drama and education at university but it was a chance meeting that led her in a new direction. She got involved with writing greetings cards for the now famous Purple Ronnie range and her bubbly personality and whacky sense of humour were a perfect fit.

Now a successful novelist she is a firm stalwart of ‘the cat club’. Cat club?

“It’s like explaining life before and life after children – only if you’ve joined the ‘cat club’ can you understand! Over the years my cats have made me laugh so much and they are true companions – I didn’t think you could get that outside the dog world. Every single one them has a really different personality, every cat that I have loved and lost has had its own traits and idiosyncrasies.”

Milly recalls how her cats helped her to finally complete her first novel.

“The children would be asleep and the house quiet, as I sat typing into the small hours. My cats would take turn to sit on the dining room table and fall asleep by the side of me, one on my knee, one on the cushion. They were very calming and ‘warmed the air up’ in the house - and were a comfort as I worked through the night. It was a very special time.”

“It’s heartbreaking to think that Yorkshire carries the burden of such a terrible reputation for cruelty and it’s something I worry about. Local charities meet local needs and that’s why I think Haworth Cat Rescue is doing something so exciting with its plans for a new environmentally friendly rehoming centre that will do us all proud and help stop the abusive treatment by teaching kids how to love, respect and enjoy cats”

About Haworth Cat Rescue here...
Haworth Cat Rescue's website www.haworthcatrescue.org
Milly Johnson can be found at www.millyjohnson.co.uk

22/05/2009 - Theft of Flagstones

Photo: The flagstones which were stolen on 9th/10th May

The Neighbourhood Policing Team are asking if anyone knows about the theft of flagstones taken on 9th 10th May, to contact them:

"Your NPT are currently investigating the suspected theft of flagstones from the footpath leading from Weavers Hill Car Park to the graveyard, running along the top of the allotments. This suspected theft is believed to have taken place overnight from the 9th-10th May. Extra patrols are being put in place and we ask the public to contact us if they have any information regarding these thefts. Have you seen any van or lorry type vehicles attending the area late at night? If so then please get in touch."

You can contact the NPT on:

Inspector Andy Longden - 07912126660 / 01274 475327
andrew.longden@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Sergeant Mark Wheeler - 07596519866 / 01274 475327
mark.wheeler@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Sergeant Diane Collins - 07912126660 / 01274 475327
diane.collins@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

PC2048 Edward Irving - 01274 475331
edward.irving@westyorkshire.police.uk

PCSO 523 Debbie Williams - 07596519868 / 01274 475331
debbie.williams@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSO 360 Helen Wynn-Evans - 07596519867 / 01274 475332
wynn-evans@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

The Worth Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team can also be contacted on 0845 6060606.
In an emergency where there is danger to life or a crime in progress, always dial 999.

If the team are out on patrol then please leave a message on the answerphone facility and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

The email address for the NPT is hanpt3@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Your local NPT Officers can also be contacted through: Worth Valley Police and Community Contact Point, 28 Changegate, Haworth, telephone 01535 644001, email wvcontactpoint@yahoo.co.uk

Opening hours Tuesday 1200-1400pm, Wednesday 1200-1600pm, Thursday 1300-1500pm, Friday 1200-1600pm, Saturday 1000-1200.

About the Worth Valley Police and Community Contact Point here...

21/05/2009 - Young Farmers Educate.......

Young Farmers Educate and Entertain with their Food, Farming and the Countryside Exhibition.

Members of Worth Valley Young Farmers Club held a highly successful Food, Farming and the Countryside Exhibition last weekend and layed on free busses to bring out young people from urban areas to spend a day in the Countryside and learn that food does not just come from the supermarket.

Younger members of the club held regular meetings to plan the format of the exhibition and in the weeks leading up to the event they designed and distributed 10,000 free tickets to under 16s in the urban areas of nearby Bradford and Keighley. Response was much better than anticipated with over four thousand people visiting the young farmers section and being were guided through the journey that food makes from field to fork. This was done using livestock provided by members and demonstrations from local butcher Chris Herd and the team from Alfe’s Restaurant in nearby Keighley.

The concept for the exhibition came from the Club’s Open Farm day 2008 when members realised that some young people in urban areas had never been to the countryside and that many had little idea where food came from prior to its arrival at the supermarket. The Club’s younger members felt so passionate about this that they put in a proposal to try to address this problem to Bradford Council’s Youth Opportunity Fund. Largely due to the experience of the Club’s members at YFC public speaking competitions, two members wowed a young person’s panel in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style interview. This secured the club an award of over £30,000 to run their project which included the purchase of a new 9m x 27m marquee in which they held the exhibition last weekend.

Members also organised a number of events to keep people entertained as well as educated and these included Sheep Racing, a Mascot Olympics and a Scrapheap challenge which saw the winning team fire an orange over half a mile. The club also organised a wrestling show in the new marquee on the Saturday evening with over £500 being raised for National Healthcare Charity Sue Ryder Care which will contribute to the club’s rural apprentice entry when the competition is judged at the YFYFC County Show on 7th June at the Nidderdale Show Ground, Pateley Bridge.

The entire project was hailed as a huge success by Worth Valley’s exhibition working party Chairman Hollie Ogden aged 18. “Our young members should be proud of what they have achieved with this project, it was one of the most busy sections of the entire show and we know that hundreds of these were urban young people as they brought their tickets with them. An added bonus is that we gained at least five new members over the weekend and raised the profile of Young Farmers in the West Yorkshire area immensely.”

Club Chairman and Thomas Ogden was also impressed with the efforts of the 45 members of Worth Valley, and extended thanks to members of other local clubs Aire Valley, Holme Valley and Calderdale YFC who contributed greatly over the weekend. “We hope that other clubs around the country might follow what we have done here and gain the same benefits as our members have done.”

Worth Valley YFC website www.worthvalley.org

21/04/2009 - Young Farmers Ditch Their Tractors… For A Giant Crisp Box!
If you see a giant crisp box hurtling towards you around the district, you’re not hallucinating, it’s the Yorkshire Young Farmers doing their bit for the national healthcare charity Sue Ryder Care.

The gutsy team, which is part of The Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (YFYFC) has decided to don a giant, custom-made Seabrook Crisp box - Prawn Cocktail to be exact – powered by a four-man pedal vehicle, as they amble their way from Scotch Corner to the federation’s AGM in Blackpool, 1st May 2009.

Along the way, they will stop off to collect money for Sue Ryder Care, and Seabrook Crisps has given them a limitless supply of its tasty snacks to hand to lucky punters… as well as the members to eat themselves as they make their epic journey.

The team of energetic young farmers, seven of which are from Worth Valley YFC, approached Seabrook Crisps because they considered the 64 year old crisp brand to be Yorkshire’s greatest export, which is their theme for this year’s activity and an accolade Seabrook is proud to accept.

Ken Brook-Chrispin commented “To be recognised as Yorkshire’s greatest export by this plucky young bunch of Yorkshire-people is a great testament to the brand and the place it holds in Yorkshire people’s hearts. Its fabulous to see such regional pride and passion amongst young people, which can only mean great things for the future of British farming and manufacturing.”

The determined Yorkshire farmers will begin the four-day challenge, from 28th April, at Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire. They will make scheduled stops at a number of great towns en-route to Blackpool, where they will be greeted by the rest of the young farmers… probably hoping there are some crisps left.

Worth Valley YFC Chairman Thomas Ogden who has created the four man bike at the family run agricultural engineers in Newsholme says, “Nothing will give us greater pride and pleasure than to complete this challenge in a Seabrook Crisp box. Seabrook is a brand close to the hearts of many Yorkshire farmers, as the company goes out of its way to source its spuds from its Yorkshire heartland… plus they make very tasty and crunchy crisps`’.

This year’s chosen activity is all in the name of promoting the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, and to raise funds for the Sue Ryder Care charity, which works to provide compassionate care and support for people living with serious illnesses and conditions, as well as providing care for their family and loved ones. YFC members are encouraging people to donate online at www.justgiving.com/yorkshiresgreatestexport

10/04/2009 - Young Farmers "ready to rumble" for hospice
Members of Worth Valley Young Farmers Club have turned their hands to wrestling show organisers as part of a Yorkshire wide competition for Young Farmers to raise funds for Sue Ryder Care- Manorlands hospice using their entrepreneurial skills.

The Club has hired the services of the Pro Rebel Wrestling group who will put on an indoor show on the evening of Saturday 9th May at the site of the Bronte Vintage Gathering, at Haworth Road, Cullingworth and it is hoped that a full house will swell funds raised.

Worth Valley YFC Vice Chairman David Johnson is very excited about the event and hopes that it might help the club’s chances in the ‘Rural Apprentice’ competition when it is judged in early June. “When we had to come up with a new initiative to raise money for Manorlands it made sense to stick to something that we know about and enjoy. Many of our members enjoy watching wrestling and so to organise a wrestling show that the public will enjoy and pay to see made perfect sense. There has already been lots of interest in tickets to this family show and the wrestlers themselves have been helpful. When they found out that all the proceeds were going to such a good cause they offered to hold a very special ‘shave your head match.’ This will involve two wrestlers with long hair compete in a match where the loser has his locks shaved off by the victor. “

Club secretary Sophie Ogden is also looking forward to the event, “last year on our annual YFC charity pram push some of our members put on a show in a home made ring at the top of Haworth main street outside the Black Bull and the crowd loved it. We were only messing about, but these guys are the real deal, and we are sure that tickets will sell out quickly.

The 150 minute long show will commence at 7pm and a free evening of entertainment from rock and roll group the 309s follows for those who wish to stay on. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £4 concessions and are available to order on 01535 640432 or through the Worth Valley YFC website www.worthvalley.org

16/03/2009 Worth Valley YFC young members awarded £30,000
Young members of Worth Valley Young Farmers Club in West Yorkshire have been successful in gaining grant funding of £30,524 from Bradford Council’s Youth Opportunities Fund and Youth Capital Fund for a project which they have titled ‘Rural Revival’.

The project involves club promotion, the purchase of a large marquee in which the club and other rural community groups can hold events and an ambitious plan to hold a ‘Food, Farming and the Countryside exhibition to educate young people in the Bradford district about these issues and encourage them to spend a day in the Countryside with their rural peers.

A group of the club’s members aged between 13 and 19 came up with the ‘Rural Revival’ project idea last October and wrote a detailed application bid to get through the first round where approximately fifty other organisations applied for funding. One of their partners, Aire Valley YFC were also helpful in getting the club through this stage. The second round took the form of an interview where two of the club’s members Hollie Ogden 17 and Alex Binns 13 were selected to pitch their idea and answer questions from a panel of other 13 to 19 year olds. Alex explained, “It was a bit like being on ‘Dragons Den’ but I think our experience of Young Farmers public speaking competitions must have helped as the feedback we received was excellent, we were in the top four organisations and were awarded the full amount we needed to run this project. I think they also liked our plans as they were a lot different from the other youth groups and involved young people helping other people.”

The grant has allowed the club to set its ambitious plans for the year into motion which commenced with the staging of last week’s successful Pantomime which involved promoting the club, teaching the young members new skills and recruiting new members. The members attention now turns to the ‘Food, Farming and the Countryside’ exhibition which will take place at the Bronte Vintage Gathering, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire on 9th and 10th May where they will use their new marquee for the first time. Plans are being drawn up to ensure that every young person in the Bradford district can travel to and enter the exhibition free of charge where they will see livestock, a cooking demonstration and learn about local produce and health.

Chairman of the club’s rural revival working party Hollie Ogden explained why members were so pleased the grant had helped them to educate other young people. “The club did an open farm visit for schools last year and found many children from urban areas knew little about where their food comes from. We think that a great way for them to learn will be through a fun day out in the countryside where they can also take part in events that young farmers get up to such as sports, stock judging and public speaking. We are keen to get members from all over the county involved in this event as it’s a great chance to promote YFC not just locally but on a much wider scale.

Any clubs interested in getting involved in this event should log onto the club’s web site www.worthvalley.org and leave an enquiry.

24/04/2009 - Did Google Street View Haworth Today?

24th April 2009; A car was seen around Haworth this afternoon with the same set up Google use to take their Street View photographs. The photo shows the car driving out of Haworth towards Cross Roads.

Did anyone else see it about today?

Update 29th April 2009
Two people have reported seeing the Google car on Main St and along Mill Hey.

19/04/2009 - Keighley Farmers Market

Starting on Sunday 19th April 2009 saw Keighley Farmers Market at Church Green, Keighley. The market's aims are:

"To sell fresh and organic produce, direct from the producer and sourced as locally as possible."

The Farmers' market will be held at Church Green Keighley from 9:30 - 1:00pm on the following dates in 2009:

17 May
21 June
19 July
16 August
20 September
18 October
15 November
13 December (Christmas Market)

16/04/2009 - Manorlands looking for some mascot competition

Council Leader ‘Kris the Castle, looking for some mascot competition

Bradford Council Leader Kris Hopkins will make his debut as Keighley mascot ‘Cliffe the Castle’ on 26th April as Fundraising at Sue Ryder Care - Manorlands Hospice breaks into a gallop at the world’s largest Mascot Race, the Mascot Gold Cup at Wetherby Races. Bradford is as ever the best represented district in the country at the event with a record 11 participants and organizers are looking for a last minute hero who can challenge ‘Cliffe’ as the Manorlands mascot ‘Cyril the Squirrel’.

Councilor Hopkins was challenged to participate by Manorlands Fundraiser Andrew Wood and though slightly daunted by the 6 fences he must hurdle during the race, he explained that he is looking forward to the event. “Although this is not going to be my usual Sunday afternoon exercise, I’m delighted to be taking part in this bizarre fundraising event. I’m trying to raise as much as I possibly can for Manorlands and if anyone would like to sponsor me I’d be grateful if they would do it on line at www.justgiving.co.uk/krishopkins.

Over fifty mascots are expected to turn out in the event but as yet the Sue Ryder Care hospice based in Oxenhope has no volunteer to run as the squirrel which finished 12th last year.

Other mascots running from the Bradford district who are taking on the likes of Ronnie Rhino from Leeds Rhinos include Anna Leach of Yorkshire Clinic (Sonny the Sunflower), Sergeant Suzanne Smith of Keighley Police running as ‘Sherlock’ the Neighbourhood Watch Hound, Gemma Binns of William Hill, previous winner ‘Hound dog’ from Bingley Harriers and ‘Harry the Heart’ from Fitness First. Greg Moulson will also make his fourth consecutive appearance as the Worth Valley Railway Rabbit and ‘Jeff the Spud’ from Whitaker’s Animal Feeds will try and improve on his third place finish last year.

Local young farmers who conceived the idea for this race which has raised over £50,000 for good causes are also well represented with Worth Valley YFC entering the ‘Unnamed Panda’ and a ‘Market stall mascot as part of this year’s race theme of be keen, be green and support your local market which is backed by Bradford Market services.

Mascots pay an entry fee and then raise money for their chosen charity through sponsorship which allows all good causes to benefit from an entry to the race and Manorlands fundraiser Andrew Wood is putting out a final call to any mascots that may not yet have entered. “It’s a great day out at the races and mascots are treated like hero's by the crowds of up to 10,000. The race is also a good opportunity to raise money for a range of good causes so I’d urge any mascot that has not signed up or anyone who wants to run as ‘Cyril’ yet to act quickly.

For further information about the event contact Andrew Wood at the Manorlands Fundraising office on 01535 640432 or email andrew.wood@suerydercare.org .

12/04/2009 - Go Local for Free!

To All Who Live in BD20, 21 & 22! When did you last visit any of Keighley’s Local Tourist Attractions ?

Museum of Rail Travel – Ingrow Loco – Cliffe Castle - East Riddlesden Hall – Keighley Bus Museum – Keighley & Worth Valley Railway – Bronte Parsonage

“Go Local” on Sunday 26th April and visit ALL of them ABSOLUTELY FREE! Just take with you proof of residence in BD20, 21 or 22

Travel free from 1 attraction to another on Heritage Bus Service 22

Bus Times
Hanover St (for Shops & Bus Stn) dep 1025 1110 1155 1240 1325 1410 1455
Ingrow Railway Centre (for K&WVR) dep 1045 1130 1215 1300 1345 1430 1515
North Street (outside Wetherspoons) 1050 1135 1220 1305 1350 1435 1520
East Avenue (for Cliffe Castle) 1051 1136 1221 1306 1351 1436 1521
West Lea Ave (for East Riddlesden Hall) 1058 1143 1228 1313 1358 1443 1528
Dalton Lane (for Bus Museum) 1105 1150 1235 1320 1405 1450 1535
Keighley Railway Station (for K&WVR) 1107 1152 1237 1322 1407 1452 1537
Hanover St (for Shops & Bus Stn) arr 1110 1155 1240 1325 1410 1455 1540

No fares will be charged. Passengers will be picked up and set down ONLY at the bus stops shown above. You can download the timetable as a word document here... File size 24kb's
You can download the timetable as a PDF document here... File size 13kb's

This Heritage Bus Service will be operated by Keighley Bus Museum Trust Ltd

A restored London Routemaster Double Decker Bus will be used (subject to availability)

Whilst every effort will be made to maintain the service shown above, Keighley Bus Museum Trust Ltd accepts no liability for connecting facilities or any loss, inconvenience or delay thereby caused.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway www.kwvr.co.uk
Keighley Bus Museum Trust www.kbmt.org.uk
Bronte Parsonage Museum www.bronte.info
Vintage Carriages Trust www.vintagecarriagestrust.org

01/04/2009 - Haworth Main Street all sett for a new look

Following recent advice received from "experts called in over Haworth setts" it was decided to bring Haworth into the 21st century and Main Street has now been tarmacked.

The large number of tourists has led to the setts becoming broken and loose, it is hoped that the modern surface will prove more durable than the old-fashioned setts.

One of the benefits to having a smooth surface is that it opens up different ways Main Street can be used for tourism. The recent cold winter in the UK has proved that the steep Main Street could be used as a ski slope. In the quieter winter months such as January this would help boost trade, as skiers and snowboarders flock to try out the "Bronte Run".

Photo: Top photo; How it used to look. Bottom photo; Main St newly tarmacked.

25/03/2009 - Launch of Christmas Card Competition


For those of you who wish it could be Christmas everyday, now is the time to think about your favourite festive things as Haworth Cat Rescue announces the launch of its first ever Christmas Card competition.

The charity is seeking 4 cards for its 2009 Christmas selection and entries can be submitted in all media from watercolours and pastels to line drawings and oils on canvass.

“Cat designs are very popular among many of our supporters but others prefer more traditional themes, so it’s really up to the artist to find their own inspiration,” said Corinne Moore, campaign manager. “Some may favour a very contemporary design and others wish to evoke a trip down memory lane with Christmas scenes of yesteryear. We are very open and want to allow as much freedom of expression as possible.”

This is the first time the Haworth Cat Rescue has offered the public the opportunity to showcase their talents with a Christmas card competition. There is no age barrier for entry and 4 winning designs will selected for their charm and appeal by a panel of 3 judges.

Participants who want their artwork returned are asked to send a prepaid self-addressed envelope. Every care will taken to avoid damage but the charity cannot guarantee this.

“We are expecting a large number of designs to be sent vie email and this is the best way to scan and keep your original,” said Corinne.

Imprint in Keighley is producing the winning Christmas cards, which will go on sale in the Autumn. Photographs should be supplied as 300dpi in jpeg format, the size for the front of the card is 105mm x 150mm but the actual images should allow for an extra 3mm 'bleed' all around. Larger photographs can be reduced to make them fit.

As a special prize, Imprint is sponsoring the competition with an enlarged version of the selected designs as a keepsake for each winning artist.

“The sending and receiving of cards brings so much pleasure and generates valuable income for us. Our cards will be advertised on our website and sold in local shops and online. We will acknowledge the artist on their card and our thanks for the contribution they have made towards the construction of a new environmentally friendly and educational cat rehoming Centre in the Aire Valley.”

The closing date for entries is May 1.

18/03/2009 Cat Portraits in Time for Mothers Day.

Local Haworth artist David Welch will be exhibiting his work at the Ramada Hotel near Cottingly on Mother’s Day, providing the perfect opportunity to commission a portrait of your mother or her favourite pet as a surprise gift on her special day.

David has recently donated artwork featuring pastel images of three of its cat residents to Haworth Cat Rescue – and will donate a percentage to the charity from any commissions received from the charity’s supporters.

“I’d read about the work they are doing to help improve the situation for unwanted cats and Yorkshire’s awful reputation in animal welfare, so I thought I’d come and take a look for myself,” says David, who has recently taken up art professionally after a long break. “I feel a great affinity with animals – I have dogs of my own - and they are the inspiration behind much of my work. I’m just about to show my artwork in public for the first time in many years and this gift somehow marks a new beginning for me.”

The money from the portrait sale and any future donations from commissions will go towards the cost of building the new eco rehoming Centre in the Aire Valley. The gifted painting is expected to raise more than £100 – David’s starting point for commissioning one of his sensitive pet portraits.

“I’ll come to your home to meet your pet so that I can get a real sense of his or her character and then work from a photograph. My preferred medium is crayons, pastels and watercolours because these enable me to tease out the detail of each animal. Every one is different and every one unique,” says David, who also draws personal portraits.

David has been painting and drawing since he was a child, qualifying as a commercial artist and going on to work in an advertising agency. With the onset of computers he found himself spending ‘more and more time on the keyboard and less time with a crayon in my hand.”

“It reached the point where my job becoming more and more soulless and so I turned my back on this as a career and went on to do other things,” he says wryly. “For a while I stopped drawing but then over the years I was asked to do more and more commissions for friends and all my early passion came back. It’s wonderful to be doing something I love and I am enjoying it all the more second time around.”

04/03/2009 Tweeting for Cats first for Bmycharity

Haworth Cat Rescue is leading the field as the first charity to have a Twitter feed on its Bmycharity fundraising pages. The West Yorkshire based charity is already benefitting from the increased profile that its presence on Twitter has established, and with the new feed to the leading fundraising site anticipates more of their Twitter followers will be inspired to fundraise towards the establishment of its new educational and environmentally friendly rehoming centre.

"Haworth Cat Rescue is taking advantage of a unique feature of Bmycharity - the content management system which enables each charity to stream Twitter through every sponsorship page, making them dynamic and interactive platforms to appeal to the 45 (on average) people who visit each page. Recruiting more fundraisers, sharing news and raising awareness of real-time issues are all now possible through Bmycharity pages," said Ben Brabyn, managing director Bymycharity.

Haworth Cat Rescue’s proactive approach towards embracing social media, and in particular Twitter, to spotlight its In For a Pound appeal, will be cited as a prime example of the opportunities this free online communication channel opens up for local as well as national third sector organisations at the Fundraising UK seminar on fundraising with Twitter in London on March 16.

"It's good to see Bmycharity offering its charities and their supporters the chance to use Twitter to keep their fundraising pages right up to date. It's an efficient combination: people update their Twitter account and moments later Bmycharity update the charity's page with the same message," said Howard Lake, publisher of UK Fundraising

27/02/09 Get On Track for Cats
Haworth Cat Rescue is asking anyone who has secured a place at this year’s Flora London Marathon which takes place on April 26, and who would be interested in running for their charity, to get in touch.
“If you are lucky enough to have secured a place through the ballot, and want to put yourself to the test by meeting the challenge of running for the benefit of the wider community, then we’d love to hear from you,” said Corinne Moore, campaign manager.
Corinne said media interest in the event had the potential of attracting national coverage for Haworth Cat Rescue’s appeal to build an educational and environmentally friendly rehoming Centre in the Aire Valley. The new Centre would enable the charity to expand facilities and services, enabling it to play a key role in reversing Yorkshire’s appalling track record in animal-related violence and neglect.
“As a local charity responding to local needs, this is an invaluable opportunity to highlight our presence alongside national charities which have much more pulling power,” said Corinne. “It’s important that local charities doing great work and retaining the essential diversity of the Third Sector, don’t get left in the shade. Running the Flora London Marathon is a brilliant opportunity to put Haworth Cat Rescue in the spotlight.”
The full marathon is 26.2 miles. By gaining the addresses as well as the names of sponsors who can then Gift Aid their donations, runners would add an extra 28% to the total raised.
“What an amazing reason for pushing yourself just that little bit harder when your legs are tired and you feel you can’t carry on,” said Corinne. “The extra inspiration to dig deep that comes from knowing you are doing something worthwhile not only for yourself but for the many families, individuals and cats we help, could be what you need on the big day to go that extra mile – literally!”
Interested runners are asked to contact Corinne on her direct line 07898 640700 or email her at hcr.centreappeal@btinternet.com

23/02/09 Cougars Match Day Winner For Cats

Haworth Cat Rescue enjoyed a great day out fundraising at the match between the Keighley Cougars and Hunslet Hawks on Sunday February 22. Some of the closest feline friends of Haworth - the ginger tom in the charity’s logo - turned up to support his efforts to raise funds for the construction of a £2million environmentally friendly rehoming Centre in the Aire Valley.

Invited by Freddie Cougar to come along and share in the fun and excitement of match day, one of the cats even took part in a half-time race against Freddie and some of his young Keighley Cougar supporters.

“We really support the work of the Cougars Community Foundation to encourage youngsters to engage in the sport of Rugby as way of keeping fit and learning the rewards of teamwork,” said Corinne Moore, campaign manager. “Haworth wants young people to learn about caring, friendship and responsible citizenship through discovering the discipline and rewards of caring for cats so that they will learn to love them and respect the needs of all animals. All the female cats who came along with collection buckets for our In For A Pound campaign thought Freddie was looking very fit and handsome. A few of them were lucky enough to have their photo taken with him as a memento of a fantastic day – and another home win for the Cougar team.”

The collection raised close to £150 towards the New Centre Appeal.

“We would like to thank Cougars General Manager Helen Carter as well as Freddie for giving Haworth Cat Rescue this opportunity to come along and fundraise so that we can further raise awareness of the work we are doing within the community to encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce the number of unwanted cats in West Yorkshire,” said Corinne.

Anyone wishing to give towards to the appeal may do so using Paypal (with ‘Gift’) to: haworth.catrescue@btinternet.com or donate direct into Yorkshire Bank account
05-05-35 / 17467476. Cheque/Postal Order made payable to Haworth Cat Rescue can be sent to The Farm, Lower Pierce Close, Cross Roads, Keighley, BD22 9AQ
Online donations can be made through the website www.haworthcatrescue.org

18/02/09 Facebook Fuelling In for a Pound Campaign

Social networking site Facebook is being used by Haworth Cat Rescue to promote giving to its In For A Pound campaign. Within hours of setting up a Facebook Group, fresh donations towards the charity’s fundraising appeal to construct an environmentally friendly rehoming centre in the Aire Valley had already been received

“Facebook is a fantastic forum for generating new friends interested in what we are doing for our local community. They get really excited about the ways we help ease social isolation through the companionship our cats bring to the elderly and the emotional support our presence provides to Alzheimer’s’ suffers or the terminally ill who turn to us when they are no longer able to take care of their pet knowing that we will not put their cats to sleep,” says Corinne Moore campaign manager. “There is great potential to raise significant funds based on every supporter donating just one pound, and then asking five friends if they would like to do the same.”

The strength of the In For A Pound appeal launched in January, lies not only in the culmination of single pounds donated by individuals and groups of friends, but also in the ripple effect of spreading the word even further.
“For example, if everyone donating one pound to us asks five friends to do the same, and each of those five friends seeks support from five more friends then that’s already an additional 25 pounds secured towards our appeal,” says Corinne.
By the time the increment has rippled out by 8 times the total raised could be £488,281.
“This is based on everyone donating a single £1 and of course, with Gift Aid each pound has a true value of £1.28 - so the potential really is staggering. We would encourage both Facebook users, as well as those who don’t use the Internet but who care about what we are doing, to show their support through participating in our In For A Pound campaign and prove our maths is right!”
The new Facebook Group is called In For A Pound for Haworth Cat Rescue. Donations can be made using Paypal (with ‘Gift’) to: haworth.catrescue@btinternet.com or paid direct into Yorkshire Bank account 05-05-35 / 17467476
Please send your cheque/Postal Order made payable to Haworth Cat Rescue to:
The Farm, Lower Pierce Close, Cross Roads, Keighley, BD22 9AQ
Online donations towards the appeal may also be made through the website www.haworthcatrescue.org

17/02/09 Cub Scout Bring and Buy Helps Cats

The 8th Keighley (Crossroads) Cub Scouts held a bring and buy sale at Lees Primary School, Crossroads recently to raise money in aid of Haworth Cat Rescue.

The fundraiser was part of the Cub Scout Community Challenge badge which all the children are now undertaking. One of the three requirements to attain the badge, from a choice of six options, is that the youngsters aged eight to 10 organise a fundraising event for a charity of their choice.

“I know some people are unkind to cats and what they go through because I’ve heard it on the news, so as part of my Community Challenge badge I wanted to help by collecting money for them and giving it to Haworth Cat Rescue,” said Imogen Gillespie. “I know cats help lots of people because I know how happy my Mum was when she was sick in bed and our cat Conkers stayed with her all day to look after her while I was at school.”

Jordan Pullen also said he liked cats and so was taking part in the Bring and Buy and helping to sell the books and toys on offer.

“I want to come and see the cats to learn about them and find out how to help them more,” he added.

The group, led by Tanya Weston and her mother Chris Weston, will bring the money they raised to Haworth Cat Rescue when they come to visit later this month.

Haworth Cat Rescue’s campaign manger Corinne Moore who went along to support the event said it was wonderful to see so many youngsters interested in discovering more about animal welfare and doing what they could to help the areas unwanted cats.

“They all persuaded me to buy a little teddy holding a red heart and decided to charge me one pound when they heard about our In For A Pound campaign!”

Photo Courtesy Haworth Cat Rescue.

About Haworth Cat Rescue here...
Haworth Cat Rescue's website www.haworthcatrescue.org

Haworth Cat Rescue, based in ‘Bronte country’ West Yorkshire, is a local charity providing much-needed shelter and medical care for abandoned and unwanted domestic and feral cats and kittens. We provide sensitive rehoming and volunteering opportunities for people from all walks of life. Yorkshire ranks the second worst county in England and Wales for animal cruelty based on convictions. It has recently launched a £2 million appeal for the construction of an eco-friendly, sustainable and educational rehoming Centre that meets social needs, providing volunteering and employment opportunities, serving the population of the Airedale Corridor. Registered Charity 1058218

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