Our rural communities

VICKI Stratford is the driving force behind a community group in Huddersfield ... and the people who benefit from her great work sure are thankful.

She is the main person behind Made In Clayton West which is determined to “make things happen” in the village of 2,000 people.

She was nominated by Helen Parker, headteacher at Kayes First and Nursery School in Clayton West, who said: “In a time when everyone leads busy lives, a time when no-one knows their neighbours and a time that villages have lost that real community spirit of bygone years, what do you do to re-energise a sleepy community that has such varied talents, so many shared interests and a desire to nurture that sense of belonging?

“You develop ‘Made in Clayton West,’ a community network that connects people in the village around shared interests.”

It was initially set up by Vicki, Jo Cove and Adele Jackson along with others, but Jo and Adele are now both away travelling, Jo in Europe and Adele in Antarctica.

Vicki leads a very active Facebook page, manages a growing email address book, does regular leaflet drops, displays posters on local lampposts, makes regular announcements at the main community hubs and makes personal visits.

Helen said: “The result is a thriving community of all ages who are now connected, talking to their neighbours, sharing interests and already feeling that sense of belonging.”

The group has been instrumental in setting up projects, including community singing group Clayton West Chorus, a walking group, a reading group, people are playing folk music at each other’s houses, wild flowers have been planted in the village, the number of people involved in the Cliffe Woods Conservation Group has grown, the Cliffe Woods memorial garden has been completely transformed from a neglected, overgrown and unused space to an open, attractive garden, and a derelict ‘secret garden’ has been re-discovered and brought back to life, and children want to independently organise a fun run in Clayton West for charity.

Helen added: “Groups in the community are more connected rather than working in isolation. Some community members have reported a significant increase in their well-being through participating in new village activities.

“People have met new people and made new friends, particularly across different age ranges. Through its events Made in Clayton West is proving to be a legacy for the next generation.”

Vicki, 46, is an environmental health officer for Kirklees Council and has a 10-year-old daughter, Bethany.