This is HD8 Life

HD8 Life CIC supports and promotes local businesses, creatives, community groups and events across the HD8 postcode area of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

Our mission is simple: to support and promote the HD8 community through creative, collaborative, and effective marketing that’s free or affordably priced for local people, local businesses, and local third sector organisations.

From social media content and storytelling to collaborations, events and workshops, HD8 Life exists to amplify what’s already happening in HD8 but without pressure, pay-to-play, or big-agency barriers.

You could based in Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe, Kirkburton, Clayton West or one of the surrounding HD8 villages... we're here to help you connect locally and reach the people who matter.

HD8 Life is a Community Interest Company (CIC). Any income we generate is reinvested straight back into the HD8 community, supporting more collaboration, promotion and local development.

Local pride. Real connection. Practical support.

#HD8Life #HD8Community #HD8Business #LoveWhereYouLive

Get Involved

You can get involved with HD8 Life CIC by:

- collaborating with us

- attending one of our events

- asking us to help support your marketing

- making a donation to pay it forward

- listening to our podcast

- joining our mailing list

- pledging to be a part of the HD EIGHT campaign

- checking out local listings in our Shop + Support directory (work in progress)

Shop + Support HD8

This is HD8 Life's online directory of local businesses, to help you find what you need locally, when you need it.

Listings in Shop + Support HD8 are absolutely FREE, always.

If you want to feature, simply submit your listing here and we'll get you loaded into the directory.

We've been meaning to visit The Cafe in the Village in Emley since it opened back in November last year, so a couple of weeks ago we were really pleased to finally get the chance to pop in and use it as the spot for a meeting.

It’s a really lovely, welcoming community space, and the hot chocolate was genuinely one of the smoothest we’ve had in a long time.

The cafe is run by Claire (who grew up in Emley) who has turned a long-held dream of opening her own cafe into something that truly serves the village.

You can really see the care that’s gone into creating a place for people to come together. We especially love the recent addition of local artwork, along with plans for a Parents & Little Ones morning group coming soon.

You’ll find The Cafe in the Village in the community space next to @emley_afc. It’s open Tuesday to Friday, 10am–2pm, serving drinks, light meals and snacks. Plenty of parking available!

Why not give them a follow on Facebook, or better still, pop in for a bite to eat and a cuppa to show your support?

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #emley

Jumping on this New Year trend by the skin of my teeth… 2016 v 2026

2016

Newly back in Yorkshire after three years in Singapore
Pregnant with (and then welcoming) our third child
Not working; instead focused on helping two young children settle into a life and culture they didn’t remember
A move over the hill, from S36 into HD8

2026

Rooted in HD8
Raising our family here
Helping build our collective community
Creating supportive, collaborative spaces where people feel they belong

HD8 Life wasn’t even a twinkle in my eye in 2016.
It grew slowly from living here, listening, learning, and caring deeply about the place we call home.

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

From uninvited moles to kestrels that crunch biscuits, Juliet Thomas has seen it all! 🎙️

In this episode of Beyond The Postcode we meet the mentor, coach, writer and founder of @fromseed_tosky and find out how nature has shaped her life.

Listen at the link in our bio, or simply search for "Beyond the Postcode" wherever you listen to your podcasts 🐾

#NatureLover #WildlifeRescue #HD8Life #UnderTheMast #BeyondThePostcode

One thing I’ve always found fascinating is how differently people experience music.

Some people love it: it soundtracks their lives, their memories, their moods. Others can take it or leave it entirely. And, even among music lovers, tastes couldn’t be more varied. It’s one of those little quirks of human nature that says so much about who we are.

(I'm definitely in the "love it" camp).

That curiosity is a big part of what led us to create the Beyond the Postcode playlist.

For each episode of Beyond the Postcode, Caroline and I ask our guests to share three tunes they’d love to hear on a spring day in HD8. Not what they think they should choose, but what feels right to them.

So far, the playlist includes music chosen by:

- Caroline from @underthemast
- Erin from @hd8.life
- Oliver from @normans_restaurant
- Liam from @tsddenbydale

Which means it’s beautifully all over the place: Elkie Brooks next to Smashing Pumpkins, Nick Drake alongside KPOP Demon Hunters… plus a bonus track from Erin of St Etienne (because if having your own podcast playlist doesn’t have perks, what’s the point?).

Those differences in music, tastes, perspectives are exactly what spur me on to keep learning more about the people and stories we have right here in HD8.

New podcast episodes drop every Saturday at 8am, and the playlist grows with each one. It’s a living thing, just like the conversations behind it.

Head to the link in our bio to listen to the podcast and the playlist, and let it soundtrack a few spring moments of your own.

Erin 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #beyondthepostcode

It's Thursday evening. That means it's time for HD8 Life's little round up of things happening in the HD8 area of Huddersfield this weekend...

🧹 Skelmanthorpe Community Centre Litter Pick
📍 Sat 31 Jan, 10am-12pm

☕️ Coffee Morning at St. Augustine's Scissett
📍 Sat 31 Jan, 10.30am-12pm

⛪️ Messy Church at St. Augustine's Scissett
📍 Sat 31 Jan, 3.30pm-5pm

🎧 DJ & Karaoke Night at The Flying Ferret
📍 Sat 31 Jan, from 8pm

💍 Wedding Fayre at @315barandrestaurant
📍 Sun 1 Feb, 12pm-3pm

❓️ Quiz Night at @shelleycricketclub
📍Sun 1 Feb, from 6pm

🕯St Lucius' Farnley Tyas Choral Evensong
📍Sun 1 Feb, from 6.30pm

Please remember to double-check with individual events/venues for availability or updates. And, if you know any other events happening this weekend, please drop them in the comments or send us a DM and we can shout about them 🖤

Have a good one!

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #weekendvibes

When @hd8.life met @theera_thai...

Theera Thai is a new HD8-based mobile Thai street food venture from the owners of @jtsbarthaikitchen in Denby Dale, created to bring proper, quality Thai food to places that don’t usually have access to a Thai takeaway.

The idea is simple and community-focused: Theera Thai pitch their fully self-sufficient trailer at pubs or venues, serving Thai street food that customers can enjoy inside with a drink, or take away to eat at home. It’s also a way for pubs/venues to boost footfall and income without extra hassle.

They can also cater for private events and functions, and are suited to smaller local events and fairs. All they need is space on private land to park safely off the road.

Theera Thai is currently looking to connect with:

🍜 Pubs interested in regular foodie pitches
🍜 Smaller local events and fairs
🍜 Private event bookings and functions

If you want to try for yourself, you can catch them at The White Horse in Emley on the evening of Friday 30 January 2026.

We love local folk doing things well - and bringing the community exceptional food whilst they’re at it 🖤

To find out more or make an enquiry, please contact Theera Thai via DM, and go give their socials a follow.

Lovely to see you again, Andy, and all the best as Theera Thai gets on the road!
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #denbydale

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

Just admit it.

You hate networking.

Same here.

That’s exactly why we set up The Social Collective.

This isn’t about suits, sales pitches, forced small talk or speed-dating with business cards.

It’s about having a drink, having a proper chat, talking about life as well as work... Being a human, meeting other humans.

Because the best connections don’t come from shoving a card into someone’s hand, they come from a conversation that sticks. The kind where someone remembers you later, when it actually matters. The slow burn; the long game. That’s what The Social Collective is built for.

There's no pressure, no pitching and no awkward energy. We aim simply for a relaxed local space to connect, share ideas, swap experiences and see what might grow.

If you'd like to join us, we'll be at @farmersboy_shepley on Wed 11 Feb from 6.30pm-9pm. Tickets cost £10 + a small booking fee (includes a welcome drink) - available from the link in our bio.

Come for a drink, stay for the conversation and leave with connections that actually stick.

PS. Wear the suit if you want to. We don’t care 😉
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal
HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

This reel is a single shot from yesterday’s HD8 Community Celebration - and that’s about all we managed to capture 🙈

Not because it wasn’t a day worth capturing - quite the opposite - but because we were so busy on the ground talking to people, sorting things out, and keeping everything moving as planned.

If you’ve ever run a small business, an event, or been part of a community group, you’ll know the feeling... Sometimes the doing takes priority over the documenting.

That lived reality is one of the reasons HD8 Life exists. It’s our mission to offer a bit of extra support and amplification around what’s happening locally, whatever form that takes.

Despite a lack of pictorial evidence, what we can say is that yesterday was something special. A brilliant turnout with engaged visitors, fantastic stallholders, and an incredible amount of generosity, from the people and businesses who donated raffle prizes, and from everyone who bought raffle tickets.

There are always little learnings when you run events like this, but more than anything there’s been a moment of stepping back today and realising just how much support exists within the HD8 community.

Sometimes one imperfect clip is enough to tell the story 🥰

Thank you for being part of it. And if you have any feedback at all, we’re always happy to hear it as we keep learning and doing our best for the community.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

What can I say? What a day!

The brilliant HD8 community came out in force today to support our HD8 Community Celebration at Shelley Village Hall this afternoon.

I was so worried beforehand that no one would come… but at one point I genuinely wondered if we could fit anyone else in the hall 😅

This is just a really quick post to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone - stallholders and visitors alike - for such phenomenal support. The atmosphere, the conversations, the energy… it meant more than I can put into words right now.

I’m off to catch my breath, have some dinner, and reflect on what an awesome day it’s been for HD8. I’m sure I’ll have more to share once it’s all sunk in.

Erin 🖤

PS. Don’t forget to listen to our podcast with @underthemast if you haven’t already... Beyond the Postcode is on Amazon Music, Spotify, and wherever you usually find your podcasts 😉
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #beyondthepostcode

Yikes!

Beyond the Postcode – our HD8 Life podcast – is now live on Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever else you find your podcasts.

The whole idea behind this podcast is to delve deeper into the stories I come across every day through HD8 Life, but which I don’t always get the time to tell in full.

A massive thank you to Caroline from @underthemast for being an absolute rock of a producer and co-host. This simply wouldn’t exist without her.

Episodes 1–3 are live now, starting with Erin and Caroline talking through the idea behind the podcast, then diving into stories from Oliver at @normans_restaurant and Liam from @tsddenbydale.

New episodes will be released every Saturday.

I really hope you enjoy listening and connecting with the stories behind the people in our community. We walk past the most amazing folks every single day, without always knowing the journeys they’re on or the stories they carry.

Let us know what you think in the comments - and perhaps see you later today at our HD8 Community Celebration (Saturday 24 January, 2–4pm) at Shelley Village Hall?
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #BeyondThePostcode #supportlocal

Tomorrow’s the day!

We’re launching Beyond the Postcode - the new podcast from HD8 Life, created with @underthemast - and it all kicks off from 8am. You’ll find it wherever you usually listen to podcasts (just search Beyond the Postcode).

Then, from 2pm, we’d love you to join us in person at our HD8 Community Celebration at Shelley Village Hall.

Things get moving straight away, with live music from 2pm and a demo from the brilliant @tsddenbydale starting at 2.05pm. From there, it’s an afternoon full of local creativity, performances, moments you can take part in, and plenty to wander and discover at your own pace including fresh food and drinks.

We’ll also be drawing our raffle towards the end of the event - with over 40 generously donated prizes up for grabs, and tickets just £1 each. Available to buy at the event.

Whatever the weather’s doing outside, we’re creating a warm Saturday afternoon inside. Pop in, stay a while, and celebrate what’s happening right here in our HD8 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #BeyondThePostcode

As I type this post, the weather is doing its finest to
promote the "grim up north" stereotype, but we're having none of it here at HD8 Life.

This weekend, there's some fabulous things happening locally - here's a selection of what's happening in/around HD8 this Saturday and Sunday (24-25 January 2026):

🎧 @hd8.life & @underthemast launch Beyond the Postcode podcast
📍 Sat 24 Jan at 8am (listen wherever you find your podcasts)

🥳 HD8 Community Celebration
📍 Sat 24 Jan 2pm-4pm at Shelley Village Hall

🎤 Karaoke at The White Hart, Denby Dale
📍 Sat 24 Jan from 8pm

❓️Flockton Green Club Quiz & Karaoke
📍 Sat 24 Jan

🎬 The Ballad of Wallis Island at Clayton West Film Hub (All Saints Church)
📍 Sun 25 Jan from 6.30pm

💍 @bagdenhallhotel Wedding Fayre
📍 Sun 25 Jan 12pm-3pm

Please always double check with individual events/venues for updates. And, if we've missed anything, feel free to drop a comment below or send us a DM.

Have a fabulous weekend 🖤

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #weekendvibes

All the HD8 Life kiddiwinks have passed through @stpaulshallshepley thanks to @rebelschool_official. So it is already familiar to us as a backdrop to rehearsals, routines, and memories.

Last week, though, we saw it through a different lens when we met Katie, one of the hall’s new volunteers.

Katie is a local lass who moved away and then came home again. Her family has deep roots in the area, and she spoke about the drive from Emley down towards Highburton as one of those moments that makes you wonder why you left. That connection to place is what’s driving her commitment to seeing the hall thrive again.

Here’s the blunt truth: community buildings only survive if communities use them.

St. Paul’s Hall is a beautiful, historic space but it needs care, time, and people to bring it back to life. Katie would love to hear from anyone willing to help, whether that’s rolling sleeves up as a volunteer, getting involved with fundraising, or being part of the effort to keep the doors open and lights on.

There’s real opportunity here too. The hall has availability for regular bookings, as well as space for parties and celebrations. Every booking helps build the funds needed for refurbishment, including a new kitchen that’s already on the way.

One little detail we didn’t know until this visit: tucked away at the back is a small patch of land, quietly waiting for someone to turn it into a community garden or allotment. The potential is there, it just needs the right people to spot it.

If any of this sparks something with you - booking the hall, helping out, fundraising, or taking on that outdoor space - Katie is the person to speak to.

Before we left, she was keen to acknowledge the groups who already help keep the hall ticking over: Rebel School of Theatre Arts, @tsddenbydale, @laurienettleton.pilates, Shepley Singers, Keep Dancing, and the local scout group.

And a little extra note from Katie: she’s been digging into local history recently as @hd8history. She’s happy to help anyone looking into their house or family history, with any donations for that going towards the hall 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #shepley

It all started with a conversation 🎙️

After months of collaborating with local people, groups and businesses through HD8 Life, one thing became really clear to me: there are so many brilliant stories in this community that simply don’t fit into a 90-second reel.

Those conversations are what led to Beyond the Postcode - a podcast where Caroline (from @underthemast) and I sit down with local folk and make space for the longer stories. Here, you'll find the backstories, the journeys, the bits that we usually have to (reluctantly) skip past on collabs.

While recording the podcast, the idea for our HD8 Community Celebration naturally followed. Because listening is powerful, but there’s something special about being in the same room together too.

So on Saturday 24 January 2026, 2–4pm, at Shelley Village Hall, we’ll be celebrating some of the people, projects and connections that make HD8 what it is, and we'll be launching the podcast on the very same day too.

You’ll be able to find Beyond the Postcode on Amazon Music, Spotify, or wherever you usually listen to your podcasts. And, on Spotify, you'll also find the Beyond the Postcode playlist with songs chosen by our guests.

We hope you enjoy listening 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #beyondthepostcode

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | HD8 podcast

If you're coming along to our HD8 Community Celebration on 24 January from 2pm-4pm at Shelley Village Hall, these are the amazing businesses you could win a raffle prize from (it's just £1 per raffle ticket!).

The event is TOTALLY FREE to attend and open to absolutely everyone 🖤

Major thanks for donating prizes go to:

@claircocostyle
@joeyspetboutique
@grandma_fredas_kitchen
@mattcorkerart
Lou'd It Creations
Vicky Wilmot Leather
@thecakelady_tracey
Flowers from No. 5
Whisk & Wonders
@thepiehall
@thelittlethingsphotographer
@wishnbelievegifts
@shelleysportssocial
Claire's Custom Cakes
@mbfreshmarketscissettfarmers
Muddy Buddy
@faylouisephotography
@perfectly_pretty_florals
@dareboutiquestore
@claire_stow_travel_
@artfulsplodgers
@springwoodflowers
@tlswellbeing
@andrea.knowles_pet_portraits
Ann Plews Hypnotherapy
@tsddenbydale
@fortheloveofwellies
The Flower Club
Jayne Lomax Travel Counsellor
A Little Bit of Glitter
Kimberly Natasha Photography
Maria Moorhouse
Queen Bea’s

(Sorry I can't tag you all - social media has its limits!)

See you there 😉
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #beyondthepostcode

If you're after a bit of weekend inspo, here are some of the things happening in the HD8 area of Huddersfield this weekend...

🍎 Scissett Community Orchard Wassailing
📍 Sat 17 Jan, 10am-12pm

☕️ Coffee morning at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church
📍 Sat 17 Jan, 10am-12pm

🫖 Coffee morning at Clayton West Methodist
📍 Sat 17 Jan, 10.30am-12pm

🎧 DJ at @harveysbarkitchen in Fenay Bridge
📍 Sat 17 Jan from 8pm

🗡 Silent Deadly Night at @bagdenhallhotel
📍 Sat 17 Jan, evening

🎻 @penninefolkclub at Stocksmoor Village Hall
📍 Sun 18 Jan, 1.30pm-4.30pm

🎤 @shelleysportssocial Sunday Sound Check Open Mic
📍 Sun 18 Jan, 3pm-5pm

Please remember to double-check with individual events/venues for availability or updates. And, if you know any other events happening this weekend, please drop them in the comments or send us a DM and we can shout about them 🖤

Enjoy your weekend, folks!

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #weekendvibes

When HD8 Life met Clive Bentley...

Clive lives in Highburton and is semi-retired, having spent most of his working life in the plumbing and heating trade, moving from hands-on work into sales management over the years. He’s been married to his wife Shelley for over 50 years, has two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and returned to the HD8 area in late 2024 after first living here more than 40 years ago.

Alongside semi-retirement, Clive works locally as an independent partner with Utility Warehouse, a multi-service supplier that offers households a range of essential services - including energy, broadband, mobile, and other home services - under a single bill to help simplify utility management.

What Clive enjoys most about being back in HD8 is the mix of friendly people, open countryside and access to great walking routes (especially dog-friendly ones). He appreciates having good local food and drink on his doorstep, independent shops he can support regularly, sensible house prices, and transport links that make getting about straightforward without losing that village feel.

Clive and Shelley also enjoy supporting local businesses, including:

@normans_restaurant
@joys_coffee_house
@thebutcherslarder
@spring_grove_fisheries

If you’re curious about what Clive does or how he may be able to help you, you can find his contact details in Shop + Support HD8 - HD8 Life’s local business directory which can be found on our website (link in bio).

Huge thanks for the lovely chat and hot chocolate, Clive 🖤

**To be fully transparent: this collaboration is about introducing a local person and the work they do. HD8 Life is not affiliated with Utility Warehouse, and this post shouldn’t be taken as a recommendation of any particular utilities provider or service**
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #highburton

Are you sitting comfortably? Good. Here’s a little story about HD8 Life’s founder, Erin…

When Erin was a child, she was very fair-haired. We’re talking hair that went white-blonde in the sun. Which also meant very fair, very sparse eyebrows - the kind that were barely there.

In her early twenties, she discovered eyebrow pencils and - well - became that person. Brows drawn on every single day. Mildly obsessive about it.

Fast forward twenty years and a curveball: eye surgery that fixed long-sight in both eyes. Brilliant news. Except suddenly, Erin couldn’t see close up anymore. Including doing her own eyebrows.

Cue unnecessary panic (yes, she's a daft apeth, we know).

So began the hunt for a solution, and the answer hit Erin mid-brow: permanent makeup.

After lots of research, questions, overthinking, more questions, and a bit of hovering, Erin booked in with @davinapalmerbeauty in Skelmanthorpe.

Davina was endlessly patient, reassuring, and genuinely lovely throughout the whole process. The first session was in November, with a top-up six weeks later, and the brows haven’t looked back since.

No daily pencils. No squinting into mirrors. No anxiety about matching shapes or getting it “right." Just brows that quietly do the job.

Huge thanks to Davina. We highly recommend her (and not just for brows; she offers nails and other beauty treatments too). Check out her Facebook page 🖤

For transparency: this was fully paid for and not gifted. As we always try to do, we're just supporting local and sharing a genuinely brilliant experience.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #HD8PMU

Can you help us? 🖤

After a suggestion from one of our lovely collaborators, we’re putting together a little raffle for our HD8 Community Celebration at Shelley Village Hall on Saturday 24 January, and we’re looking for prize donations from HD8-based businesses or local folk that we can raffle off on the day.

All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to HD8 Life CIC to help cover the costs of the event.

Everyone attending and every stallholder is doing so completely free of charge, so it would be amazing if we could cover all - or even some - of our event costs through the raffle.

If the raffle raises more than the event costs, anything left over will go straight back into funding HD8 Life’s work in 2026 - particularly the collaborations we do with local businesses and community groups, which are often delivered at zero or very little cost to those taking part.

Because this is our first ever raffle, we’ve had to ask our ‘wonderful friend’ AI to give us an idea of what the prize table might look like… And, they’ve done a decent(ish) job, but we all know your donations would look 100% better on the day 😉

So, if you’re able to spare a prize donation - big or small - we’d be really grateful. And, of course, we’ll make plenty of noise about your generosity before, during, and after the event.

If you’re up for donating a prize, please drop us a DM, or send an email or WhatsApp message.

Thank you, as always, for supporting HD8 Life and everything we’re building together. It’s very much appreciated.

Erin
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8 | HD8 events

A lovely new weekly community cafe is starting this Saturday (10 January 2026) ☕️

Shepley-based Whisk & Wonders will be taking over the cafe space at Skelmanthorpe Community Centre every Saturday, 8am–2pm.

Their aim is to create a warm, welcoming place for local people and groups to drop in, feel comfortable, and spend a bit of time together.

You’ll find everything from a good cuppa and cake to full breakfasts, all at very affordable prices. There’s no pressure to buy or spend - just a friendly space to sit, chat, and enjoy some company.

If you’re part of a local group, or just fancy a new Saturday morning spot, add this one to your list!

For more info, or to explore how it could work for your group, drop Whisk & Wonders a message via their Facebook page 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #Skelmanthorpe

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | HD8 cafes

We're back with our first HD8 weekend round up of 2026... but we think you're all still partied out because we haven't uncovered anything happening this Saturday and Sunday.

So, instead, we're going to shout about what's happening at @thepiehall on Friday instead! There's not one, not two but THREE reasons to get yourselves down to Denby Dale tomorrow (Fri 9 Jan):

6pm: The big reveal of Bar 1788's new signage (we think there’ll be a ribbon and a pair of scissors involved!)

6pm - 9pm: Pie & Peas Night with food by @rationsstorekitchen in Bar 1788 (bar open from 5pm, no booking needed)

8.30pm - 11pm: David Bowie Tribute by @face_the_strange_band in the hall (tickets from What's On page of our website - link in bio)

And, not technically an "event" but it is a new opening! Whisk & Wonders will be opening their NEW Saturday cafe at Skelmanthorpe Community Centre from 8am-2pm. Yummy treats ahoy!

If you do know of any other events happening this weekend, please drop them in the comments or send us a DM and we can shout about them 🖤

Have a fabulous (snowy?) weekend, whatever you're up to.

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #weekendvibes #HD8Weekend

Scout Dike Reservoir, New Year's Day 2026.

Not quite HD8 but only about 0.6 miles from the border at the closest point, so you'll let us off, right? 😉
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #S36

We spent a serene, calming couple of hours this afternoon in the gorgeous treatment room at @lhcsportsmassage_ at @theoldbankkirkburton.

Laura from LHC got in touch with HD8 Life to ask for help capturing marketing content because being a one-woman business trying to give clients a great experience whilst filming high-quality content is… not easy.

We were really happy to step in and help capture Laura’s skilled work on film for her to use in future marketing. We did, however, become very aware of our own shoulders and back, which were quietly screaming in jealousy whilst watching someone else’s muscle knots being untied.

If you’re looking for a top-class massage from a qualified healthcare professional, Laura is a Registered Midwife and Public Health Nurse, and LHC Sports Massage could be just the tonic you need.

(Booking ourselves in is now firmly on our to do list!)
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #Kirkburton

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Massage HD8

When HD8 Life uncovered @girlwithastaplegun aka Fully Re-Covered Upholstery…

We spent the morning with Vicky in her home workshop in Upper Cumberworth, chatting upholstery, craft and community, and we quickly realised that her work is about much more than just fabric and frames.

Vicky first started learning upholstery around nine years ago as a creative outlet alongside a career in HR. What began as a side project slowly grew, and in 2021 she took the leap to focus on upholstery full time.

Five years into Fully Re-Covered Upholstery, her approach is still rooted in care and doing things properly. She works closely with people, taking time to understand how a piece is used and what matters to them, with the aim of helping furniture stay part of everyday life for longer.

Working independently from her home workshop, Vicky has built her business through local support and word of mouth, guided by simple values: clear communication, fair pricing and realistic timescales.

Vicky wanted to give a shout out to a few local businesses she regularly works alongside:

@ashley_interiors_denbydale
Furniture Care in Scissett
@mbfreshmarketscissettfarmers

And, when we asked what she loves most about HD8, her answer was the countryside and the community 🖤

Thanks, Vicky, for the warm welcome, the lovely chat and letting us share your story.

If you don’t already follow Vicky, go and show Fully Re-Covered Upholstery some HD8 local love on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal
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Stop networking. Start connecting.

The Social Collective is HD8 Life’s relaxed networking (connecting!) evening for local businesses, freelancers, creatives and third sector groups across HD8 and nearby.

It’s a space for real conversations. No pitching. No pressure. No awkward energy.

📆 Wednesday 11 February 2026 | 6.30pm-9pm
📍 @farmersboy_shepley
🎟️ £10pp (plus small booking fee)
🥂 Price includes welcome drink

What to expect:

- A friendly, informal atmosphere
- Easy conversations without forced intros
- Time to meet local people doing their own thing
- A chance to leave feeling connected, not drained

If you run a business, freelance, create, or support our local community and fancy getting out with some other brilliant humans for an evening, you’ll fit right in.

Book at the link in our bio, or comment "SOCIAL" and I'll drop you the booking info.

Remember to share - and feel free to tag anyone you think might find it useful!

We'll see you there 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal
HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Networking HD8

Calling all HD8-based singers, bands, musicians & choirs 📣

We’re looking for a handful of local HD8 musicians to play short, informal sets at our HD8 Community Celebration event on the afternoon of Saturday 24 January 2026 at Shelley Village Hall.

What we’re after:

🎼 HD8-based singers, musicians, choirs or small bands
🎼 Approx. 15-minute sets each
🎼 Acoustic / stripped-back / small band vibes

Important to know:

🎼 This is a FREE community celebration, so there’s no performance fee
🎼 You’ll need to bring your own speaker / amp / mic if required
🎼 We’re keeping this HD8-only simply to celebrate the talent already on our doorstep

If you’re from HD8 and fancy being involved (or you know someone who might), please send us a DM - or email Erin at hello@hd8life.co.uk - with a link to your music and tell us a bit about yourself.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #community

Anyone else still chipping away at the Christmas food? Thank goodness Christmas cake keeps for weeks 🤣

This was the second time we made a Christmas cake from the cake kit by @growrefillstore... and we can confirm it goes extremely well with a big dollop of Baileys squirty cream 😋
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal
HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

Welcome to 2026.

We’re just peeling ourselves off the sofa after staying up for the Stranger Things finale (those NYE clubbing days are long gone 😅), and heading into the new year feeling hopeful for our local community.

A quick HD8 Life update:

✨ January and February are now fully booked for collaborations
✨ New slots are open from March
✨ Bookings are open via the link in our bio

If you’re thinking about collaborating with HD8 Life this year, it’s worth booking ahead - at points in 2025 we were booked up to six months in advance.

A quick reminder of how HD8 Life collaborations work:

✨️ Every collaboration is bespoke - no templates, no rush jobs, no words put in your mouth
✨️ We take time to understand you, your work, and how you want to show up
✨️ Content is planned, recorded, edited and shared with care
✨️ The focus is always on telling your story in a way that feels true and useful to the wider community

To keep things accessible, collaborations run on a Pay What You Can to Pay It Forward model, with a suggested minimum of £5.

For transparency, the real cost of the time and care involved sits at around £75-£100, but cost is never a barrier.

If paying isn’t possible right now, you can use the code FREECOLLAB to book at £0. No questions. No judgement. Same time, care and service.

One important thing to know is that we never approach people asking them to collaborate.

Every collaboration you see comes from someone choosing to reach out because they feel aligned with what HD8 Life is about.

The only time we make first contact is to ask permission to attend and film a public event - we never turn up unannounced or put anyone on the spot.

If you’re unsure, have a scroll through our past work. Across Facebook and Instagram in 2025, our content was viewed over 3.2 million times but - more importantly - it helped 100s of local people, groups and businesses feel seen, supported and connected.

Any questions, just drop us a message. Book at the link in our bio.

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

If you’ve been following HD8 Life for a while now, you’ll know I’ve got a bit of a thing for the sky. Not a picture-perfect version, but the real HD8 sky.

Moody moons, fiery sunrises, big blue days, and the heavy grey clouds that inevitability roll in from time to time.

This reel is a year of skies, and it mirrors a year of running a small business, and of being part of a community...

Some days are clear and full of energy. Others are slower, foggier, harder to read. Some stretch out beautifully. Some pass in a blink. Most fit somewhere in between.

What 2025 has shown me is how much people and small businesses in our community keep moving forward - adjusting, trying again, supporting each other - even when things feel uncertain and those storms clouds roll in.

And, if there’s one thing the sky always does, it’s change.

Here’s to more light breaking through, steadier days, and looking up a little more often in 2026.

Happy New Year from HD8 Life 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #newyear
HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

Looking back on 2025, it didn’t turn out how I expected.

In the best possible way.

What started as a fairly simple idea in 2024 grew arms and legs before I really knew it! Conversations, collaborations and community followed, with much deeper connections than I ever imagined.

It changed shape, opened doors I didn’t know were there, and introduced me to people who now feel very much part of the HD8 Life fabric.

This year:

🖤 HD8 Life became a CIC
🖤 We hosted our first workshops and our first networking event
🖤 We recorded a podcast (still slightly surreal!)
🖤 We launched the HD EIGHT campaign
🖤 We met and supported 100s of people, businesses and community groups across the area
🖤 And, I stepped into the role of HD8 Community Anchor for TSL / Denby Dale Centre - something I’m incredibly proud to have been asked to deliver

None of this came from a neat, polished master plan. It’s been shaped by conversations, needs, ideas, chance meetings and a lot of trust, and by people backing what HD8 Life is trying to do.

This reel captures just some of the brilliant people from our year - not all of them (turns out Instagram has limits 🤣), but every connection has mattered.

So this is a thank you to everyone who got involved, stepped in front of my camera, shared ideas, came along, supported quietly, or took a chance on something new. You’ve all played a part in what this has become, and what it will continue to grow into.

As for 2026… there’s plenty more to come.

Same values, more connection, and a lot of exciting ideas taking shape.

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #newyear

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Christmas dinner doesn’t just magically appear on the table, it starts with where you choose to shop...

This year, all of our Christmas veg came from @mbfreshmarketscissettfarmers, which we've visited and supported regularly since it opened earlier this year.

Tracey and her team work so hard, not just to put on a great market, but to properly support local producers, local businesses and the wider community. Everything they do is thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in doing right by the people around them.

We’re really lucky to have something like Scissett Farmer’s Market on our doorstep - and Christmas dinner was all the better for it. The roast spuds in particular have been requested on repeat every day since by child #2 🥕

Thank you, Tracey and team. We hope you managed to put your feet up and relax 🖤

#HD8Life #HD8 #SupportLocal #ShopLocal

I know I said HD8 Life wouldn’t be back on socials until at least 29 December, but we couldn’t not mark the 'four weeks to go' milestone until our HD8 Community Celebration event, so I've snuck on...

@hd8.life and @underthemast are teaming up to host a FREE, family-friendly HD8 Community Celebration at Shelley Village Hall on Saturday 24 January; a little get-together to help lift the January fog. Everyone is welcome.

The afternoon will also mark the launch of our new podcast, Beyond the Postcode, but this isn’t just about a podcast. It’s about showcasing and celebrating some of the local groups, creatives, small businesses and people who make HD8 what it is.

Plans are still coming together, but expect a warm, welcoming afternoon with lots to discover from within the HD8 community.

WHEN? Saturday 24 January 2026, 2–4pm
WHERE? Shelley Village Hall, HD8 8HE
HOW MUCH? Free entry for all

📣 Calling local musicians 📣

We’re also on the lookout for HD8-based live music acts who’d like to play a short, informal set on the day. Acoustic, solo, duo, small group... if you’re local and fancy being part of it, drop us a message. This one’s about showcasing homegrown talent.

For now, this is your save the date. More details soon 🖤

#HD8Life #BeyondThePostcode #HD8Community #CommunityCelebration #FamilyEvent HD8

🎄 Christmas wishes from HD8 Life 🎄

However you’re spending the festive season, I hope it’s a good one.

I’m switching my phone and laptop off for a few days to slow down and spend time with my family, so things will be a bit quieter here.

I’ll be back from 29 December, ready and raring to go!

Thanks for all the support, kindness and good conversations this year. It really does mean a lot.

Merry Christmas
Erin 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #hd8christmas

One of my favourite bits of Christmas is doing the rounds, picking up all the goodies we’ve ordered from local shops, makers and producers.

You can pull together a cracking Christmas spread without ever leaving our little corner of the world.

This morning kicked off with chocolate wreath brownie collection from the lovely Krista at @grandma_fredas_kitchen.

Then, this afternoon, it was over to see Jon at @theburnthillherbco for our Christmas box including beetroot smoked trout, pâté, and their new trout candy (very intrigued by that one!).

More collections tomorrow from @ggsdenbydale and @mbfreshmarketscissettfarmers, then it’s full festive mode with the family 🖤

This is the bit we’re always banging on about at HD8 Life: supporting local doesn’t have to be a big statement. Sometimes it’s just the small, everyday choices we make that quietly help keep local businesses going.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

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One of the things HD8 Life has given me (Erin), personally, this year is a love of taking photos.

HD8 Life is all about noticing things - people, places, small moments, stories - and photography has become another way of doing that. Capturing bits of community life as they actually are, not staged or polished, just real.

These are a few of my favourite shots from HD8 Life work this year. Little moments from meetings, content shoots, shops, collaborations, and wanderings that help tell the bigger story of what’s going on around us.

HD8 Life is a local business too, and part of that is figuring things out as you go, trying new skills, and getting better by actually doing... That learning feeds straight back into the work, and into how our community is seen and celebrated.

Looking forward to seeing what 2026 looks like through this lens 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #photography

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PUBS & CLUBS 🍻

We originally posted this just before Christmas last year, but the message remains unchanged.

If we want to keep our villages alive and kicking, the places where people meet really matter: pubs, clubs, social spaces.

So, if you’re heading out for a Christmas or New Year drink over the next week or so, please choose local if you can.

A pint, a soft drink, a chat at the bar. It all adds up, and is very much appreciated 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8 | HD8 Pubs

Let's be real: we all reach for convenience sometimes.

But connection is what builds communities.

We’ll keep making time for that.
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal
HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

Quick question, HD8 Lifers...

For a while now, I’ve been sharing a Thursday night weekend round-up of what’s on around HD8 inc. events, gigs, family stuff, workshops, community happenings and all the good local things I've laid my eyes/ears on.

I actually started doing these after a couple of you asked me for an easy way to see what was happening locally in one place… and I just kept going because it felt useful.

I shared the final weekend round-up of 2025 last night, and I’m taking a short break from them next week to enjoy some family time.

But, before we roll into 2026, I wanted to do a quick sense check:

🖤 Do you still find the weekend round-ups helpful?
🖤 Do you look out for them each week?
🖤 Or, would you be happy seeing them less often / in a different format?

As always, HD8 Life is shaped by what you find useful, so your thoughts and feedback really does matter.

Drop me a comment, send me a message, or simply give this post a ❤️ if you’re still enjoying them.

Thank you!
Erin

Here it is! Our last HD8 Life weekend round up of 2025...

Yep, we know there's still another weekend of 2025 left after this one but we'll have our feet up on a mountain of mince pies next week so there won't be a round up 😉

Here are just some of the events happening this Saturday and Sunday (20-21 Dec) in our very festive HD8:

✨ SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER ✨️

Shepley Library Children's Christmas Crafts & Library Trail - 10am-12pm @kirkleeslibraries

@scottysbarscissett Children's Christmas Party - 2pm-4pm

@shelleysportssocial Children's Christmas Party - 2pm-5pm

The Ashfield Children's Christmas Party - 4.30pm-6.30pm

@thepiehall Family Christmas Party - 6pm-9pm

@skelmanthorpeband1843 Community Christmas Concert at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church - 7pm

Flockton Green Christmas Karaoke - 8pm

🎄 SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER 🎄

@st._pauls_church_shepley Carol Service - 11.15am

@penninefolkclub Christmas Party at Stocksmoor Village Hall - 1.30pm-4.30pm

@skelmanthorpecricketclub Christmas Party - 2pm-6pm *SANTA SOLD OUT*

@emley_brass_band at The White Horse - 5pm

All Hallow's Carol Service with Hade Edge Band - 6pm

@shelleycricketclub Christmas Quiz - 6pm

St. Augustine's Carol Service - 6pm

Skelmanthorpe Carols Around the Tree/in the Triangle with Skelmanthorpe Band - 7.30pm

And, don't forget a whole host of amazing local traders are featured in the @yummyyorkshire Christmas Market in the Barn daily right until 4pm on Sunday 21 December.

Please remember to double-check details with individual events/venues to ensure there haven't been any changes, tickets aren't sold out, and - if we’ve missed something - please leave a comment or drop us a DM.

Have an amazing, Christmassy weekend 🖤

#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #weekendvibes #HD8Christmas

The Christmas tree at HD8 Life HQ (aka my house) is feeling particularly local this year, thanks to @perfectly_pretty_florals 🎄

Becks is the talent behind my Emley Mast bauble and the completely bespoke HD8 Life bauble she very kindly made for me as a gift - both beautifully handmade and full of local love.

Becks lives just outside HD8 but regularly trades at markets around our area, including the @yummyyorkshire Market in the Barn, and her decorations are the kind of keepsakes that come out year after year.

If you’re still on the lookout for something thoughtful, personal and made by a brilliant local maker, go and take a peek at what she does at the Yummy Yorkshire market this weekend 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8

The Social Collective returns.

No suits.*
No sales pitches.
Just local people, good conversations + fresh ideas.

After a brilliant first Social Collective in November, we’re bringing it back for February 2026.

Once again, we’re inviting businesses, sole traders, community groups + creative minds from across HD8 (and a little beyond) to come together for a relaxed evening of informal networking that actually feels good.

This isn’t about pitching, performing or forcing connections. It’s about turning up, chatting properly, meeting people you might not usually cross paths with, and seeing where conversations lead.

When? Wednesday 11 February 2026 | 6.30–9pm
Where? The Farmer’s Boy, Shepley
Tickets? £10pp (+bf) – link in bio

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, easy conversation, new connections, plenty of collaboration, and a welcome drink included.

Tickets available now - just tap the link in our bio.

*Wear that suit if you want — you look great 😉
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#HD8Life #TheSocialCollective #HD8 #HD8Love #supportlocal #networking

When HD8 Life swung by @earnshawestates...

Joel at Earnshaw Estates has been backing HD8 Life pretty much since our day one, so after a lot of diary juggling, it was great to finally get a collab in the bag last week.

A true local lad, Joel has years of experience in estate agency but made the decision to step out on his own and do things a bit differently, creating a modern, independent agency rooted in the HD8 community.

With up-to-date marketing (including drone footage 📸), a strong social media presence and a genuinely personal approach, Earnshaw Estates is quietly changing how the local property market works.

Two years in, and the team have just had their strongest year yet - proof that local, independent businesses really do thrive when the community backs them.

Joel couldn’t speak highly enough of the HD8 area: the people, the support, and the sense of community that makes working and living locally such a joy.

The team wanted to show some local love to fellow independents nearby:

@kosmetiko_clinic
@scottrobertsbarbers
@burton_barber.s
@thebutcherslarder
@secret_garden_141

Thanks to Joel and the team for the warm welcome, the laughs, and an excellent blooper reel 😄

Wishing you a brilliant Christmas and an exciting 2026 ahead.

Go give Earnshaw Estates a follow 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #supportlocal #Kirkburton

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Shop local HD8 | HD8 Estate Agent

When HD8 Life called into @rationsstorekitchen…

Last week we popped into Rations in Skelmanthorpe for a catch-up with Jen - somewhere that is already familiar territory for us... Because, earlier this year, Jen kindly hosted the very first HD8 Life Social & Strategy Sessions, and Rations is also proudly part of our HD EIGHT campaign, pledging to stock at least eight HD-made products on their shelves or menu at any one time.

After more than 20 years working in education, Jen decided to take a leap and follow a long-held dream: opening a cafe rooted in community. And that’s exactly how Rations came to be.

Rations isn’t “just a cafe." It’s a welcoming hub in the heart of Skelmanthorpe, serving hearty, healthy, homemade food and drink with an ethos built around connection, warmth and togetherness. Even the name is a nod to a bygone era when community really mattered, and that spirit runs through everything Jen and her team do.

Alongside the food and drink, the shelves are filled with brilliant bits from local producers - things you can pick up while you’re there - and Rations regularly team up with their neighbours at Henry’s to bring special menu nights to life.

Jen wanted to share the love with a few local businesses who’ve supported her along the way:

@henryshd8
@shoesanddos
@claircocostyle
@liffies_hair

Huge thanks to Jen for inviting us in for a proper chinwag between running the cafe, pulling together Christmas hampers, and catering for outside events.

If you haven’t visited yet, Rations is well worth adding to your list - and give them a follow on socials whilst you’re at it 🖤
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#HD8 #HD8Life #HD8Love #yorkshire #supportlocal #lovewhereyoulive

HD8 | HD8 Life | Huddersfield HD8 | Things to do HD8 | Local businesses HD8 | Support local HD8 | Skelmanthorpe | HD8 cafe

We’ve got something exciting to share…

On Saturday 24 January 2026, @hd8.life and @underthemast are teaming up to host an HD8 Community Celebration at Shelley Village Hall - a free, family-friendly event for the whole community, just in time to help beat those January blues.

As well as marking the launch of our new podcast, Beyond the Postcode, we'll be bringing people together to celebrate the local groups, creatives, small businesses and community spirit that make HD8 such a great place to be.

Plans are still coming together, but expect a fun, welcoming afternoon with lots happening and plenty to discover - all rooted in our community, of course.

WHEN? Saturday 24 January 2026, 2pm-4pm

WHERE? Shelley Village Hall, HD8 8HE

HOW MUCH? Free entry for all

For now, this is your save the date! More details coming soon 🖤

#HD8Life #BeyondThePostcode #HD8Community #FamilyEvent #CommunityCelebration #HD8

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