Dewsbury & District League of Friendship
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 26th October 2023
1.00 p.m.
At Howlands, School Street, Dewsbury WF13 1LD
Everyone is Welcome !
4 Oct
11 Sep
Mark and Sam’s tandem paraglide in aid of the Howlands Centre
Great news!
Mark Eastwood and Sam Cullingworth have completed their hair-raising trip into the skies with a tandem paraglide, raising money for Howlands.
Watch Sam and Mark run off the edge of hill here on YouTube
After some unavoidable delays due to poor weather conditions, Mark finally strapped in and took flight in the safe hands of experienced paraglider Sam Cullingworth, who himself has a long personal connection to the Howlands Centre.
Donations have been coming in thick and fast to the pair’s Just Giving page and directly to the Howlands Centre. You can still donate here at: justgiving.com/campaign/howlandstandemparaglide to support this great local cause.
30 Aug
Welcome Back to Howlands!
Dear Friends of Howlands,
I hope this message finds you well and rejuvenated after the summer break. As the rustling leaves signal the onset of September, we’re excitedly gearing up to welcome all our old and new friends back. September always brings a special charm to ‘Howlands’ – the buzz of new faces, renewed energies, and the promise of thrilling activities lined up for the months ahead.
The hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenging phase for many institutions, including ours. Our financial reserves took a hit, leading to the tough decision of possibly suspending a few classes till our financial situation stabilises. But despair not! We are proactively exploring various avenues to seek grants, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities.
Speaking of sponsorships, here’s some exciting news. Our local MP, Mark Eastwood, is taking to the skies with a sponsored paraglide! Every contribution to sponsor him will directly benefit ‘Howlands’, donate here. This is a golden opportunity for us to boost our funds. If you can rally around and encourage friends, family, or acquaintances to support this daredevil endeavour, it would make a world of difference.
And, as the year rolls on, we’re also gearing up for our Annual Xmas Fair, slated for the 15th of November. Do consider contributing goods for the stalls and rallying your friends and family to do the same. Together, we can make it the most memorable fair yet!
At the heart of Howlands is a community that thrives on mutual support. We promise to continue supporting you and the broader community as best as we can. Your continued trust, support, and encouragement, especially for our fundraising efforts like the sponsored paraglide, are pivotal during these times.
Stay safe, stay connected, and here’s to brighter days ahead at ‘Howlands’!
17 Aug
Soaring High for Charity: Dewsbury’s Unlikely Tandem Makes Headlines
It’s not every day you see a Member of Parliament and a world champion bodybuilder soaring through the sky together. But, when it comes to supporting a good cause, it seems the sky is literally the limit!
Helping us create a buzz about our amazing charity event is The Dewsbury Reporter who shared our exhilarating story about Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood and World champion bodybuilder Sam Cullingworth taking part in a unique tandem paragliding venture. The reason? To raise much-needed funds for Howlands .
Read the full story here
Already we have raised an impressive £500. A feat that demonstrates the power of community spirit and the lengths people are willing to go to ensure the welfare of their fellow citizens.
So, whether you’re an avid paragliding enthusiast, a firm believer in the power of community, or someone who just loves to see unique collaborations for a cause, this story undoubtedly warms the heart.
Please donate and help this dynamic duo touch not just the skies but countless lives as well.
Remember, sometimes, it’s not just about reaching new heights but lifting others up as you do. Let’s soar together for Howlands! 🪂
15 Aug
Mother Nature Hits Pause On Charity Paraglide
Mother nature hits pause on charity paraglide but there’s a silver lining.
Bad weather may have grounded Mark Eastwood and Sam Cullingworth’s thrilling tandem paraglide adventure, but the skies have opened up a golden opportunity instead!
It’s the PERFECT time to back our heroes on our SPANKING NEW “Just Giving” page!
Click the “Donate Now” button on the top left and bottom left of the home page? Click on it and be part of the magic. Simple, swift, and so satisfying to support a good cause!
Your support is not just about thrill-seekers in the skies; it’s for the noble mission at Howlands. With each donation, you’re uplifting the disadvantaged and making waves of change.
Join us, and let’s make this rain delay the best thing that happened!
1 Aug
Sam and Mark’s Big Jump: A Tandem Paraglide to Support Howlands
On August 14th (weather permitting), an extraordinary event is set to occur on the rolling hills of Yorkshire. The local community of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, is buzzing with anticipation for a tandem paraglide featuring two prominent figures – Sam Cullingworth, former World Champion Body Builder and Howlands’ resident fitness guru, and Mark Eastwood, Conservative MP for Dewsbury. This thrilling endeavour aims to raise much-needed funds for Howlands, a revered independent charity and community hub.
Howlands, known for its tireless efforts in supporting disadvantaged adults, plays an essential role in our community by tackling loneliness and social isolation. The organisation holds a rich history spanning over 70 years of service in Dewsbury Town Centre, making it the largest and only fully accessible community centre in the area.
Daring Sam, fondly known as ‘Sam the Man’, is no stranger to challenges. As a fitness enthusiast and celebrated bodybuilder, he’s setting his sights on the skies this time, promising an adventure that’s bound to “scare the life out of” our local MP, Mark Eastwood. The duo’s jump off a Yorkshire hill (TBC) is expected to generate much excitement and, more importantly, valuable contributions for Howlands.
Speaking about the event, Sam shared, “In the world of paragliding, we believe it’s better to be up there wishing you were down here than vice versa. Mark is showing incredible courage by joining me on this venture. While there’s a fair bit of banter about whether I’ll let go or bring him back down safely, the crux of this event is about making a significant difference for Howlands. This charity holds a special place in my heart, and the incredible work it does benefits countless individuals. I urge everyone to donate generously if you can.”
We wholeheartedly echo Sam’s sentiments. Howlands needs our support now more than ever. This community hub is a lifeline for many, offering a sense of purpose, a safe space, and the opportunity to feel part of something greater.
As one of our regular attendees puts it, “Coming here in the morning gives me a reason to get up and gives me purpose to the day, instead of watching TV all day.” Another long-term visitor shared, “We have been attending the coffee morning for around forty years, met many friends and we have a lovely morning out. We would be devastated if this place closed.”
Mark Boocock, Development Officer at Howlands said: “What a fabulous gesture by Sam and Mark. Howlands is a wonderful place doing amazing work to help people, I’d urge anybody who can to donate to this amazing charity. Your generous contributions will help ensure that Howlands continues to make a difference to the people it supports and to our wider community. Let’s stand together, or tandem paraglide if you’re brave enough, to keep this wonderful place going.”
For more updates on Howlands’ future events and fundraisers, stay tuned. In the meantime, those wishing to contribute can do so via the JustGiving page:
Remember, every little bit helps in making a big difference in our community!
31 Jul
Celebrating Success at our Recent Fashion Show
As the spotlights dim and the catwalk clears, the team at Howlands basks in the resounding success of its recent charity fashion extravaganza.
We express our deepest thanks to everyone who joined us we’re ecstatic to announce that the event raised an astounding £265, a sum that will help us to continue to move forward.
First and foremost, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who attended the show, contributed to our cause, and supported us.
Our models deserve a special mention for their professionalism and flair.
With poise and confidence, they strutted down the catwalk, effortlessly bringing the clothes to life.
One model who deserves a special mention is Rachel. Sharing her experience, Rachel said, “The show was brilliant! Walking down the catwalk in all these lovely clothes was a truly delightful experience.”
Rachel was particularly smitten by the red and white dress she modelled, so much so she decided to buy it! We are thrilled to hear that she is planning to wear this dress for the next special occasion she attends.
From all of us at Howlands, thank you! Your continuous support propels us forward.
3 Jul
Reviving Memories and Raising Funds: Howlands Receives an Extraordinary Dollhouse Donation
We’re thrilled to share a heartwarming tale about an extraordinary gift we’ve recently received, and the journey we plan to undertake with it.
A generous soul recently walked through our doors carrying a treasure – an incredible dollhouse. Complete with fittings, the house is a miniature wonderland, evoking memories of childhood whimsy and imaginative play.
Though the temptation to lose ourselves in this charming miniature world is great, we at Howlands have a different plan in mind. This wonderful dollhouse is not for us to play with, but for us to restore and rejuvenate.
We’ve undertaken the mission to revamp this dollhouse, preserving its essence while breathing new life into it.
We’re proud to say that several of our members have eagerly volunteered to take on this endeavour. Armed with brushes, glues, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, they are ready to give the dollhouse a makeover.
It’s a project that will not only keep our members busy but also foster teamwork and creativity.
But the journey doesn’t end with the restoration. Our grand plan for this wonderful dollhouse is to auction it off in hopes of raising funds for Howlands. It’s a beautiful cycle of giving – a generous donation leads to a collaborative restoration project, which will then hopefully bring in funds to help us continue our mission.
We are incredibly thankful for this kind donation and are eagerly looking forward to seeing the transformation of the dollhouse under the skilled hands of our members.
Stay tuned for updates on our restoration project. We can’t wait to share the journey and the final result with you. And remember, every donation, big or small, carries the potential to make a significant impact.
3 Jul
From Second-Hand to Brand-New: Howlands Upcycling Genius
At Howlands, we’ve always believed that fashion doesn’t need to be a drain on our environment or wallets. On the contrary, it can be a fun and engaging way to contribute to a sustainable future. That’s why we’ve fallen in love with up-cycling, and we’re eager to share one of our favourite projects with you today: Pam’s remarkable transformation of a white denim jacket.
Our story starts in a charity shop, a treasure trove of preloved and unique clothing items. A white denim jacket was the perfect blank canvas just waiting for Pam to start an up-cycling project with collection of buttons from our button collection.
Pam’s creative process involved more than just sewing buttons onto fabric. Each button was carefully selected, considering its shape, colour, size, and the unique aesthetic it could bring to the jacket. What was once a plain white denim jacket is now an exclusive, stylish piece of clothing.
Pam’s up-cycled jacket isn’t just a testament to her creativity and talent for design. It is a symbol of a broader ethos we hold dear at Howlands: sustainable, thoughtful, and individualistic fashion. Up-cycling isn’t merely about making old things new again, but rather, adding a personal touch to extend their lifespan and express our own creativity.
Pam is eagerly awaiting the perfect occasion to debut her revamped jacket. After all, every artist relishes the moment their work is showcased.
2 Jun
Try Then Buy”: An Exciting Fashion Show Experience Awaits in Dewsbury
Fashion enthusiasts, mark your calendars! Next month, Saturday, 1st July 2023, an exciting event is set to unravel on the catwalk at Howlands, School Street, Dewsbury WF13 1LD. The event, themed “Try Then Buy,” promises a fascinating fusion of fashion and retail, where you will not only get to witness the latest trends on the runway, but you’ll also have the opportunity to purchase what you see.
The “Try Then Buy” is a fundraising fashion offering end of line clothing for sale. It’s an incredible opportunity for those who love fashion and want to take home a piece of the show.
Tickets for this event are priced at a mere £5.00, which includes a complimentary drink upon arrival. This is fantastic value for an event that combines the best of fashion entertainment and retail therapy.
Doors open at 12.30 p.m., with the show commencing at 1.00 p.m., promising an afternoon filled with stunning fashion presentations and a unique shopping experience.
Each ticket purchase also enters you into a free prize draw. The winners of this draw will receive vouchers that can be used on the day of the show. This means you could walk away with even more fabulous fashion pieces without breaking the bank!
For further information or to secure your ticket, contact us on 01924 463693.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a unique fashion event that invites you to ‘try then buy’.
We look forward to seeing you there. Get ready for a fantastic afternoon filled with fashion, fun, and fabulous finds!