Meltham Town Council

02/10/2026

🍂🍁 Something exciting is brewing this autumn...🍁🍂

A brand-new sporting event is coming to Broadlands Recreation Ground.

AUTUMN SPORTS FEST
⚽🏃🏻‍♀️👟🏏🧗🏻‍♀️
📅 Thursday 29 October
⏰ 12pm to 3pm

Whether you're looking to get active, try something new, or simply enjoy a great community atmosphere, you'll want to save this date.

This first event is hosted by Broadlands Recreation Ground Trustees & Friends of Broadlands Recreation Grounds, in collaboration with local youth workers, community groups & organisations! 💚

More details coming soon...

If you would be interested in volunteering to help, or supporting this event in some way, please email [email protected]

01/10/2026

🎬🍿 Throwback Thursday – The Alhambra Cinema, Meltham

Did you know Meltham once had its very own cinema? 🎥✨

This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to Parkin Lane and the story of the Alhambra Cinema.

The story actually began with a wooden hut built as a skating rink at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1911, it was purchased and opened as a cinema, giving Meltham its first opportunity to enjoy the magic of the silent screen! 🎞️

The cinema proved so successful that a new stone building was erected in 1921, and the Alhambra continued welcoming audiences for decades.

It eventually passed to Meltham Co-operative Society in 1949, before finally closing in 1959. 🎬

And what happened to the building afterwards? Well, the site eventually had another chapter in its story — in 1994, builders moved onto the land to begin work on a new doctors' surgery. 🏗️

📸 Take a look at this week's photographs and archive extract and see if you remember Meltham's Alhambra Cinema!

🍿 Did you or your family ever go to the cinema there? Do you remember what it was like, or have you heard stories about it from parents or grandparents?

We'd love to hear your memories! 👇❤️

🎬📸🍿

30/09/2026

🎉 Meltham is staying as ONE ward!

We’re pleased to share some good news for our community — Meltham will remain as one parish ward, rather than being divided into separate North and South wards.

Following the consultation and feedback from local residents, Meltham Town Council is pleased that our town will continue to be represented as one united community. 💚

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views and have their say. Your involvement really does matter and helps shape the future of Wilshaw, Helme & Meltham.

One town. One community 💚

Read the full update on the Meltham Town Council website

I am writing to notify you of the outcome of the Kirklees Community Governance Review. At its meeting on 16 September 2026, Kirklees Council considered the final recommendations arising from the review, including the proposal to split Meltham Town Council into two parish wards. A Link to the Council...

29/09/2026

Kirklees Council Recycling Heroes Awards 2026

Recycling, repairing, reusing and reducing waste, are immensely important to help lessen the impact on our environment. Our vision is for Kirklees to have zero avoidable waste by 2038, but that requires action from all of us.

What our judges are looking for
Judges will be looking for those they believe are setting the gold standard when it comes to reducing, reusing, and recycling in Kirklees. Nominate local businesses, schools, community groups and individuals. Tell us who inspires you!

Award categories
Recycling Hero (individual achievement)
Business Recycling Hero
School and Youth Activity Recycling Hero (schools, youth clubs, Scouts and Guides)
Young Recycling Hero (under 17 years old)
Community Award (individual or group working in the community)
Winners will be announced at our Awards Ceremony taking place in March 2027.

Become a sponsor
Could you, your business or organisation sponsor our awards? Email the team today [email protected]

Nominate an individual or a group for a Recycling Hero Award
Fill in our simple online form.

Completing this form takes around 10 minutes

Nominate a Recycling Hero - https://my.kirklees.gov.uk/service/Bins_and_Recycling___Nominate_a_Recycling_Hero

After you’ve applied
Once you have submitted a nomination entry, it will be reviewed by our panel for shortlisting.

24/09/2026

🏫📚 Throwback Thursday – Back to School in Meltham!

With the new school year now well underway, this week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to the history of education in Meltham! 🕰️📸

Our archives tell us that the story goes all the way back to 1715, when money was set aside for a schoolmaster to teach English and Latin in the town. 📖

Over the years, Meltham has seen schools open, close and move — including the old school buildings, Meltham Memorial School, and later the schools we recognise today. 🏫

But perhaps the most special part of these photographs is the children themselves. 👧🧒❤️

Class photographs capture generations of Meltham youngsters, many of whom will have grown up to become familiar faces in our community. How many can you recognise? And can you spot a parent, grandparent or perhaps even yourself? 👀

📸 Take a look through this week’s photographs and see how many of Meltham’s old school buildings and faces you recognise.

We’d love to hear your memories — which Meltham school did you attend, and what do you remember about your school days? 👇💬

🏫📚❤️

23/09/2026

🌟 Good luck, Rachael! 🌟

We want to send a massive community shout-out and our very best wishes to Meltham’s own Rachael Mellor, who is competing tomorrow at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Pontevedra, Spain! 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Rachael will be taking on the world's best in her age category, with her sights set on an amazing top-10 finish.

When she isn't training and competing on the global stage, many of you will already know Rachael from her dedication to helping others right here in our community—teaching local Bikeability and cycle-skills sessions to help build confidence on two wheels.

You can view her race profile, and track her live timing here - https://triathlon.org/athletes/profile/77702/rachael-mellor

Everyone at the Town Council and across Meltham is right behind you Rachael. Go out there and smash it! 🌍💪🏆

Please join us in supporting Rachael, and send her luck in the comments!

18/09/2026

💙💛 YORKSHIRE DAY 2026! 💙💛

Last month, on 1 August, Town Mayor Cllr Lisa Coates and Town Clerk Mark Brook were invited to a special Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration in Goole. 👑

As part of Goole’s bicentenary celebrations, this year’s official event was hosted by Goole Town Council and The Yorkshire Society, bringing together Mayors from across Yorkshire for the biggest gathering of its kind in the world! 🎉

The day followed the traditional Yorkshire Day programme, including a breakfast gathering, a parade through the streets of Goole, a Service of Thanksgiving and a formal civic lunch. 🥐🚶‍♀️⛪🍽️

Mayor Lisa Coates said:

“It was fantastic to represent Meltham at this year’s official Yorkshire Day celebrations. I really enjoyed meeting Mayors from other towns across the region, sharing best practice and ideas about how we can continue to support our residents.

I particularly enjoyed the tour of Goole, which included a visit to The Junction, Goole’s arts centre, where we watched a series of short films celebrating the town’s heritage. 🎬

I would like to thank the Mayor of Goole, Cllr Kevin Flynn, for the invitation and hospitality, and everyone involved in bringing this wonderful event together.

I certainly left feeling proud to be from our lovely town in Yorkshire, and inspired by how we might work together and celebrate Yorkshire Day in years to come.” 💙💛

What a wonderful way to celebrate being Yorkshire! 💙💛

17/09/2026

🪙🥓 Throwback Thursday – Collop Monday!

As we have recently honoured the tradition of the Civic Service, we thought what better time than to look back at traditions from years gone by!

Have you ever heard of “Collop Monday”? 🤔

This fascinating old Meltham tradition saw 300–400 local children receive “collop pennies” — a custom dating back to the days when children would go door-to-door before Lent asking for a collop of bacon, ham or a halfpenny! 🥓🪙

From 1881, pennies were given out at the entrance to Meltham Mills, with the tradition continuing for generations. By 1930, hundreds of excited children were still gathering to scramble for their pennies! 😂

The tradition eventually evolved, with sweets replacing the pennies. The last person recorded as keeping the custom alive was Mrs A. Woodhead of Market Place, who distributed sweets until her death in 1993. 🍬❤️

📜 Take a look at the fascinating story in our archive extract!

Did you ever hear your parents or grandparents talk about Collop Monday? We’d love to hear your memories! 👇

🪙📸❤️

14/09/2026

Meltham Town Council is now responsible for Broadlands Recreation Ground.

Improved grounds management has already been in place since April this year - with Garry Scott Groundworks, Landscaping and Maintenance undertaking grass cutting, lining and associated works at the football pitches.

🎡 Today, as the fair departs, we welcome Lewis Haigh & Sons Ltd on-site to begin work which is aimed at resolving drainage on the top half of the Rec. The works involve exposing existing underground drainage structures and installing a pipe to provide longer term drainage improvements.

The work will take about a week, and then some time for the ground to recover.