What's it all about

The Upper Calder Valley Renaissance is the first project anywhere in the UK to tackle the challenging and complex job of transforming an entire valley. This 14 mile section of the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire was earmarked by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, as an area ripe for regeneration on all levels. In late 2002 they appointed consultants John Thompson & Partners to undertake the biggest consultation exercise ever seen in the area. So far more than 2,000 individuals, organisations and businesses have had their say in how they would like to see the valley re-born.

Throughout 2003 JTP undertook a series of town meetings, walkabouts and meetings with businesses, schools, community organisations, farmers, churches and many other bodies. In June hundreds of people attended a Weaving It All Together weekend. Following this, seven action groups were formed:

• Business, Marketing & IT
• The Valley Setting
• Tourism, Culture & Heritage
• Getting About
• Farming & Rural Communities
• Social Wellbeing & Young People
• Housing

In the autumn a Steering Group was formed by representatives of existing town partnerships such as Todmorden Pride, The Hebden Royd Partnership and the Sowerby Bridge Forum as well as Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council and several co-opted individuals. In November the chair persons of the action groups also joined the steering group. Throughout this other public meetings of the extended valley team continued and the action groups met to develop their own plans and projects.

On 19th December the venture was officially launched at The Great Ideas Fair in Hebden Bridge with the publication of the Valley Vision. Many people turned up to sign the Valley Charter, a document outlining a blueprint for collective action in the future.

A far-reaching business plan is to be published in 2004. The venture will see an international launch in the summer. It is hoped that this will attract tens of millions of pounds of investment and pave the way for a social, economic and environmental revival in one of the most beautiful, creative and individual areas of Britain. This is not a quick fix but a process which may take 20, 30 or even 50 years.

In the meantime five flagship projects are being developed in each of the five townships. Details of these will be announced shortly.

The theme of the Renaissance project is The Flying Shuttle. This is the mechanical device which revolutionised weaving in the Upper Calder Valley two centuries ago. This modern interpretation represents the warp and weft which connects the valley - the road, river, canal and railway as well as the people and the digital signals which will help the valley release its potential and transform itself into Yorkshire's Creative Capital.

It is widely acknowledged that this has been one of the most successful regeneration exercises ever undertaken and it is a credit to the energy and enthusiasm of those who have taken part. Please come and join us. The success of the Renaissance depends on you!