It’s been a busy year for Happy Valley Pride and local schools. Thanks to a generous grant from the Hebden Bridge Rotary Club we were able to extend our annual Art Competition to four schools, Riverside Junior School, Central Street Infant and Nursery School, Stubbings Infant School, Calder High School and Todmorden High School.

Riverside Junior School held special assemblies as part of their Rainbow Week. The children learn about anti-bullying and the diversity of families in our local community. The message that ‘Everyone Matters!’ is prominently featured on one of the winning Top Hats for Pride featured in the photos, below. Mrs Taylor chose eight winning hats, one from each class. As you can see, the colourful rainbow designs show how creative the pupils are. The school’s excellent engagement with diversity has been recognised by Stonewall.

Ms Tregellas has been busy with the children at Central Street Infant and Nursery School, with a mini parade and more fantastic art. Ms Tregellas is also a volunteer for Happy Valley Pride and uses her creative talents to include local children and families in the festival.

Stubbings Infant School has joined in the fun for the first time this year and we hope to have the children help us to make impressive and colourful artwork for the festival each year from now on.

Todmorden High has formed a group for young people at the school. The group held their own assembly about LGBT+ in the school and hope to inform and educate pupils and staff about issues affecting them. I was fortunate to meet the group and talk about LGBT+ equality over the recent past and how to develop allies amongst their peers. Mr Freeman has facilitated impressive LGBT+ themed artwork with the help of Mrs Greaves.

Calder High has an established Barnardo’s Equality Ambassadors (BEAMS) group. Calder High students have produced impressive art based on the theme of diversity along with bunting. We aim to visit the BEAMS team next autumn and offer ideas and support.

Many thanks to all the staff and pupils who have contributed art work to Happy Valley Pride this year. We are so impressed with the hats, drawings, paintings and awareness of LGBT+. We will be displaying some of the art works as part of our Information Fair on Saturday 27th July 2019 on Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge near the main stage. So, come along and admire the remarkable artistic talent of our local children and young people.