Hebden Royd Town Council is proud to announce the appointment of Cllr Steve Woodhead as the new Mayor for the 2026–2027 civic year. The appointment was formally made during the Annual Meeting of the Town Council on 12th May 2026, following nomination by fellow Hebden Royd Councillors. Cllr. Alex Turner was also nominated as Deputy Mayor.
Cllr. Woodhead accepted the Mayoral role and signed the formal Declaration of Acceptance of Office. He named his granddaughter Winnie Woodhead and his wife Jo Woodhead as his two consorts for the year.
In his opening address, Cllr Woodhead spoke about the role of Town Councillor and what a privilege it is to work with fellow councillors, the staff team and partners to provide services and opportunities, with and for, the people of Hebden Royd and how he looks forward to being even more involved during this Mayoral year.
Cllr Woodhead praised the staff team for the excellent work they do in the direct delivery of services and in supporting councillors in their work. He reinforced their value as individuals and as a whole team in the positive way in which they provide services and opportunities for the people across all the wards of Hebden Royd. Cllr Woodhead referenced some of the partnerships that HRTC have forged over the years and spoke of his ambition to continue working with many amazing people, building new and cementing old partnerships. Cllr Woodhead thanked Hebden Royd Town Council staff, his consorts and the newly elected Deputy Mayor and looks forward to his coming year as Mayor.
Cllr Steve Woodhead announced that his chosen charity for the Mayoral Year 2026/27 would be Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT), a fantastic volunteer-led group who devote their free time to helping keep the community safe in our beautiful but sometimes challenging landscape. Celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, they have recently been awarded the Kings Coronation Medal for their community contribution. Rob Freeman the Team Leader at CVRST said a few words, thanking Cllr Woodhead for choosing CVSRT as his chosen charity and helping raise awareness about their work.
As Mayor, one of his first duties was to introduce the recipients of the Service to the Community Awards 2025/26, celebrating exceptional contributions to life in Hebden Royd.
Cllr Keith Butterick nominated Sue and Geoff Mitchell in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to Mytholmroyd and the wider upper Calder Valley. Through their vision, perseverance and dedication, they have led the remarkable transformation of a long-derelict station building into what is now Local Motive – a vibrant new arts and community hub at the heart of Mytholmroyd. Over nearly two decades, they have driven this project forward with unwavering determination, overcoming setbacks including flooding, funding challenges and the many obstacles to come with restoring a historic building of this kind.
Next, awards were presented for the Youth Section of the Service to the Community Awards.
Cllr Steve Woodhead nominated the Student Parliament at Calder High School for the way in which they mobilized, when the trust was faced with a very unpopular merger proposal, to provide a voice for children and young people across all the schools in the Pennine Alliance Learning Trust. The members of the youth parliament challenged the decision, presenting arguments that showed a true understanding of the needs of the children and youth people who live in the Calder Valley. Cllr Woodhead presented Lucia, the Prime Minister and Jude, the Deputy Prime Minister with the Service to the Community Award shield and certificate.
Cllr Keith Butterick nominated Flossy (Florence Wardley) in recognition of her charity fund raising efforts. Flossy and her younger sister Emme have been busking locally to raise £5,000 for the charity Cancer Research UK charity. Geraldine Wrathall from St Michael’s Amateur Dramatics said a few words, noting that £5,000 was enough to keep a person in remission. Flossy’s fundraiser was at £4,380 before the event, which included a £250 donation from the Mayor. During the event, SMAJIC (St Michael’s Amateurs Juniors in Concert) offered donations collected after their shows of £380, and rounded this up to a £500 donation for Flossy’s fundraiser, taking it to just below her target of £5000. Geraldine added that Cllr Keith Butterick presented Flossy with the Service to the Community Award shield and certificate.
The meeting also included a touching farewell from the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Keith Butterick, who reflected on the many highlights of his Mayoral year, along with some of the challenges. He expressed gratitude to his fellow councillors and to HRTC officers and offered best wishes to his successor, Cllr Woodhead. Cllr. Butterick also presented a £3,229.30 donation to his chosen charity, White Ribbon UK, a global initiative based in Hebden Bridge which engages men and boys in ending violence against women and promotes gender equality.
The meeting concluded with a wonderful live performance by Flossy, followed by refreshments and conversation.
