Wilsden Village Society History

The New Millennium 2

Later in the year Chris was able to report that about 20 people representing different organisations attended a jubilee meeting and agreed to stage an event, hopefully outdoors, around the village hall and park area. It would be a free event for the village so money would be needed for insurance, a PA system, the band and entertainers, probably a magician and juggler The estimated cost was £2500 and it was agreed that if a grant could not be obtained, this should be covered from WVS funds. Accounts show that the jubilee actually cost the society just over £1000. At the AGM in June Chris Exley was confirmed as chairman. He reported that it had not been an eventful year on the planning front, once the unwanted zebra crossing had been dealt with. The jubilee event, while not on anything like the scale of the silver jubilee activities, had gone well and he thanked the members of the jubilee committee who helped him take the seeds Martin had sown and made them grow into a jolly good day.

In 2003 a new Unitary Development Plan was being prepared and the society supported Bradford Council in protecting an area of Green Belt land which is significant in maintaining the separation of Harden and Wilsden. It extended from Birchlands Avenue to Cherry Tree Row and as far up Bents Lane as the bend at Middle Bents. There was a suggestion that this land could be re-classified to allow for future housing development, just as had previously been proposed for the Prune Park area at the opposite end of the village. The landowner and a firm of auctioneers, who presumably expected to handle any ensuing sale, favoured the change. At the inquiry into the UDP the Inspector accepted the council’s view that Green Belt status should remain in place . WVS members Tony Caunt and John Hansen had undertaken the behind the scenes work needed to allow the society to make its contribution to this important issue. A small but important piece of work in 2003 was a survey of rain water drains in Main Street, undertaken by John Hansen and Dennis Renshaw. They produced a plan of the location of 78 drains between Ling Bob and Bents Lane. Of these 51 were completely blocked and 6 partly blocked. This led to water cascading down Main Street during heavy rain, washing down more debris to block more drains. This would result in more long term damage and bigger problems. The cause was a lack of regular cleaning. The problem was taken to the next Neighbourhood Forum.

At this time the village was suffering from another bout of anti-social behaviour, including under-age drinking. The main problem areas were Royd Street, around the co-op and round the village hall. After unsatisfactory response from the local police, Chris Exley wrote to the Divisional Commander, West Yorkshire Police, Keighley Division and also to the constituency MP Christopher Leslie. This did at least lead to the attendance at a WVS meeting by Inspector Cawthorne who explained the order of priority followed in responding to calls and said it was hoped to add a Police Community Support Officer to the team. Jeff Moor represented the feelings of the village and particularly of the village hall. The co-op manager was invited but unable to attend. It was agreed that Jeff would liase with the inspector on possible further measures – not an entirely satisfactory meeting but at least village views had been heard.

Even after paying for the jubilee, contributing to the gala and giving £1000 towards refurbishment of the tennis courts, WVS funds stood at around £20,000. With no obvious major project ahead, and a parish council almost certain to be formed, there was discussion about whether a non profit making organisation should be holding so much money. Although not everyone favoured the demise of the village society, there is no doubt that by this time there was a distinct feeling that its day might be drawing to a close, at least in its present form. There were still enthusiastic workers, but fewer of them and certainly no longer the easy succession of officers. The society had struggled for a secretary for some time, with valiant members who did not want the job striving to keep things going during gaps. Chris Exley had combined the roles of chairman and treasurer since November 2002 and when he announced that he must stand down in January 2004 due to pressure of other commitments, no one was found to replace him. Barbara Hopkinson agreed to chair meetings and it appears from the minutes that Chris continued to act as treasurer at least until June 2004 and at the 2005 AGM Peter Hopkinson presented the financial report.

In 2004 definite decisions were taken to spend more of the society’s funds for the benefit of the community. Licence and printing for 500 footpath maps with text describing the area cost just over £300, which would be gradually recouped by sales at £1.50. In addition to direct sales from the society, Wilsden Post Office was to hold a stock and would keep 50p from each sale. In April it was reported that Wilsden Newsagents and the post offices in Harden, Cullingworth and Sandy Lane had been included in this arrangement.

There was a modest cost involved in copying photographic slides of historic Wilsden scenes taken by Reg and Peter Fawcett. Following Peter’s death, the collection was to go to family members, but permission was given for a copy set to be made, which could be used to illustrate talks, displays and articles about village history.

There was an agreement that £2000 should be allocated for the provision of stone boundary signs for Wilsden.

Jeff Moor spoke at the April 2004 meeting, explaining that the village hall management committee was looking at possible expansion of the facilities to cope with heavy demand. There was no grant or lottery funding currently available for Wilsden but the management committee would put up £30,000 plus £1000 per year. Bradford Council would provide £1000 per year for ten years from the Royd House Trust. Council officials had been amazed at the high level of use. After much discussion WVS agreed that £15,000 should be made available when needed and a further £1000 per year for five years. If the society should cease to exist, the balance of that £5000 should be paid to the project. These sums would enable the management committee to apply for loans. What became of this project is presumably recorded in the management committee minutes. As far at WVS funds were concerned, there is a new decision minuted in January 2005 that a payment of £15,000 be made towards refurbishment cost of Wilsden Village Hall.