We conserve the best of the past and ensure that developments are sympathetic to the environment and culture of the local area. Mill Bank is an award-winning village with a past rooted in the woollen and silk industries. One hundred and fifty years ago there were five local mills, seven pubs and a variety of shops in the immediate vicinity. Following a period of serious decline, the village was re
scued from imminent demolition and made a conservation area, in the 1970s. The mills are gone, as are the shops and The Millbank pub/restaurant closed in 2010. The village is on a steep south-facing valley with a fast flowing stream that previously provided power for the mills. There are old pack horse tacks, ancient highways and many footpaths criss-crossing the hillsides. The Calderdale Way passes through the village and it is a popular locality for ramblers and hill walkers. The Methodist Chapel, a skyline feature of the village, closed its doors in Mill Bank over forty years ago, but the local parish Church of St Mary’s, half a mile up the road at Cottonstones, has a Community Centre. St Mary’s School is thriving and attracting children from in and around the village. The Mill Bank Group, in partnership with the school, has initiated many new projects which have strengthened community relations. A new children’s play area in the adjoining field was installed in 2010. The village benefits from a regular bus service to Sowerby Bridge and Halifax. The Mill Bank Group
In 2002 the village was looking neglected and there was little community activity. The Mill Bank Group was formed to rescue and renovate public areas and undertake activities to improve the quality of life for local people. The first project was to create a community garden from the Methodist graveyard which had been neglected for over forty years. This is now an attractive quiet spot in the heart of the village featuring a village poem by Glyn Hughes, and new name stones have been installed recently. The Group is a non profit making organisation run by volunteers and is open to everybody living in and around Mill Bank. Every attempt is made to conserve the best of the past and ensure that developments are sympathetic to the environment and culture of the area. Mill Bank Group activities and achievements 2010
The Group believes that a sense of pride in the local community comes from people getting together to enhance their environment. It also relies on an appreciation of past history and an awareness of place in time. To this end we have produced three social history publications and a ‘Walks about Mill Bank’ leaflet published in 2009. Mill Bank Group enters the Yorkshire in Bloom event and was declared the ‘Best Small Village in Yorkshire’ 2008. There is a flourishing ‘Book group’ which meets monthly at The Alma pub and various social events are held throughout the year. Every year the Group pays for Christmas lights which decorate a tree at the entrance to the village. Organisation
The group holds an annual AGM in November and has a management committee. A village notice board is well used and newsletters are circulated quarterly. There is an active email network for regular volunteers. Work within the community
Action days are held regularly to maintain and improve public areas. A village name stone has been installed and benches put in the graveyard garden and by the stream. Thousands of bulbs have been planted over the years and bird, butterfly and bat boxes have been erected. In 2010 the Group led a community planting project. This was particularly popular and aimed at people who do not have gardens. Raised vegetable beds were installed and a mini orchard was planted. Herb tubs and a soft fruit area for community planting and use are also now being well used. Impact
The work of The Group has had a noticeable impact on the village in the past few years and we have been rewarded with Yorkshire in Bloom silver and silver-gilt awards. Fundraising
Our core work is funded through the sale of the annual village calendar and other merchandise. We need £1,000 p.a. to maintain our base activities and grants for special projects are obtained from a variety of agencies. We very much appreciate support and sponsorship of our calendar and newsletters from local businesses and from individual donors.
