Hebden Royd Town Council has announced that Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail will not return in 2025, marking the end of a seven-year run of the event.
This difficult but democratic decision was made by our Council’s Projects & Events Committee as part of a wider review of our events programme, with a focus on sustainability and to ensure future events continue to be inclusive, accessible, and creatively impactful.
The 2024 event, themed ‘Pumpkins at the Pictures’, was perhaps our most successful year, celebrating local creativity while linking with other Town Council initiatives, including the Hebden Bridge Picture House, which we also operate and manage.
Cllr. Jane Hoyle, Chair of the Projects & Events Committee said: “The Pumpkin Trail has been a much-loved part of Hebden Royd’s calendar, and we know it has been enjoyed by the community. We’re incredibly proud to have ended on a high.”
“This wasn’t an easy decision, but we hope people understand our need to take stock and focus on the long-term sustainability of our events. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s been involved over the years and now feels like the right time to explore new ways to make a lasting impact in the community.”
The Town Council extends sincere thanks to everybody who worked alongside us to bring the trail to life over the years, including partners Sand in Your Eye, Hebden Bridge Rotary Club, a team of dedicated volunteers, and of course the many families, residents, and visitors who helped make the event such a success.
There are no plans for the event’s return, but the Council looks forward to collaborating with partners on new community focused projects and events in the future.
Hebden Royd Business Forum (HRBF) have expressed an interest in continuing to mark the Autumn season, with a spokesperson from HRBS stating: “While the organised trail and funded activities have been central to the Pumpkin Trail in previous years, its success has also been thanks to the participation of amazing local businesses putting on beautiful seasonal displays and entering into the fun of the event. HRBF is keen to work with businesses to maintain that feel across the town to give visitors and locals a great experience throughout the autumn, encourage footfall and support our independent businesses. Anyone interested in being involved in this, please get in touch.”
Hebden Royd Business Forum can be contacted at: www.hebdenbridge.org
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