Mirfield Community Partnership

Chair: David Pinder, 10 Park Avenue, Mirfield (01924 496942)

Hon. Sec.: Hugh Bowden, 5 Fernhurst Close, Mirfield (01924 496194)

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The group was formed out of the Eastthorpe Initiative and became MCP in February 2000. It is a registered charity, and a non-political organisation. The aims of the partnership are to provide and maintain facilities for the general benefit of the people of Mirfield and the surrounding areas, promoting environmental improvement and the development of facilities of cultural and social activities both in the town centre and in other areas of Mirfield.

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As a registered charity, MCP has a formal constitution, and an Executive Committee, which has to meet a minimum of 4 times per year but the number of Trustees is open. The meetings have been held at various locations, all of whom are currently members of (or have in the past been part of) the partnership, including, St Paul’s Church, The West Yorkshire Print Workshop, and The College of the Resurrection, This means that anyone with an interest in Mirfield and its environs can join and put forward suggestions and help with implementing their ideas. The group have been involved with many successful campaigns over the years, starting with the formation of Eastthorpe Gardens (when it was Eastthorpe Initiative), improving the footpaths along the River Calder, and the recent Ladywood campaign. Our latest efforts are directed towards restoration of the old garden at the side of Stonham House in Newgate which will create a “Green Heart” in Mirfield.

Each project uses a small group of Trustees which takes charge of that particular idea. The group then make applications for funding (if required), following through any works involved, and raising awareness and support for the project concerned.

Trustees are able to make suggestions at any meetings for future projects that they would like to see in Mirfield. For example: graffiti clean up, litter-clearing campaigns, ideas for improvements to facilities for young people in Mirfield, etc.,

As a group, we would welcome the opportunity of getting together with other like-minded people, or organisations, in Mirfield where our combined efforts would better serve the community.

The most successful campaign of recent years has been the Ladywood Project. We worked closely with Kirklees Council (who own the woodland) and there have been massive improvements to the whole of Ladywood. The area had been badly damaged by 4 x 4 vehicles and motor bikes over some years but it has now been fenced and protected, and an all weather footpath put through the wood. The bridle path has been cleared and is now easily accessible to cyclists and horse riders. Special kissing-gates have been installed so that buggies and wheelchairs can access the wood. Local schoolchildren designed a “Lady” to be erected in the wood and she, together with plaques showing woodland themes, also done by local children, have been commissioned and completed by a local artist and are all in place. We have worked with a group called The Word Hoard and obtained funding from Awards 4 All and this group and MCP are running “Season Stories” sessions in the wood with local schoolchildren. There is a Family Day planned for 26^th May and details of this can be found in the Library. Also check out The Word Hoard’s website on ‘ ’ (note: from end May new address will be ’) where you will see photographs of two of the Season Stories sessions which have already been held. 12^th May will see Holly Bank school taking advantage of the woodland when special arrangements have been made to get some of their children for a special day out.

For further information about MCP, about attending one of our meetings, or just to chat and get more information, call either of the numbers shown above, or contact Sue Bentley on 01924 496594, (email )














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