The Government is proposing a further 15 hours free childcare. This will make a great difference to many families and is very welcome. However, the proposed legislation is very, very short on details especially on whether the Government will provide enough funding for it. I spoke in the House of Lords on Tuesday to highlight […]

The Whitcliffe Mount Foundation building was built just over 100 years ago. It is an imposing building of Yorkshire stone and the Spen Valley Civic Society applied to the Government for it to be listed. The Government Inspector however decided that it wasn’t of sufficient national value for it to be listed. Whitcliffe Mount is […]

Councillors are required by Kirklees Council to write an Annual Report. It is written to a set format. This is my version: Introduction I continue to enjoy the privilege of being one of the 3 elected Liberal democrat councillors for the Cleckheaton ward. As part of the councillor team, I am committed to doing my […]

        The Library in Cleckheaton was was built on land donated to the town by the Mowat family and was opened in 1930. There’s always lots going on including indoor kerling! Saturday is National Library Day so why not join the hundreds who will go to find a book or DVD; use […]

This week’s Dracula production was an outstanding achievement. As always with WM productions, the set and lighting were top quality and created the atmosphere of fear and chilling reality. But it was the acting that ensured that the fear factor was maintained throughout. There were very good individual performances from young people with genuine talent. […]

Great news for the Spen Valley as Labour councillors agree that the famous Red House should be SAVED. The Red House is an important part of Spen Valley’s heritage. It was the home of Mary Taylor who 200 years ago decided that women should share the same freedoms as men to travel and make their way […]

Congratulations to all the students at Whitcliffe Mount for the great GCSE and A level results this year. 85% of ALL students achieved 5 A* – C grades which is well above the national average. 51% achieved 5 A* – C including English and maths. And an amazing 39% achieved 3 or more A/A* grades. […]

Hundreds of parents and children flocked to Whitcliffe Mount’s Open Day last Saturday. The school was open from 9.30 in the morning and finally closed its doors 6 hours later. The school hall was packed for each of 3 presentations which included an audio / visual.  This showed a successful school; judged by an Ofsted report in […]

Whitcliffe Mount school is open on Saturday July 9 from 9.30 – 2.30 for parents and children, especially in the current years 5 and 6. This is a very good opportunity for parents and children to see the facilities on offer and speak to staff and governors about the opportunities available. Whitcliffe Mount has served […]

Good news! The Kirklees Music School have agreed to keep the Cleckheaton and Batley Music Centres open at least until the end of the year. The announcement by KMS followed a packed meeting of parents attended by Cllr Andrew Pinnock and myself with the head of KMS and the chair of the Board of Trustees. […]