Thanks for visiting my page. Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA and Greetland Social club are raising money for the British Heart Foundation and we'd be so grateful for your support. This event is being run in Memory of John Hartley and were he here I'm sure he'd be the first person to rattle a tin under your nose for the BHF.

Halifax & Calderdale Branch were devastated to announce the sudden death at the age of sixty-eight of long-standing committee member and festival organiser John Hartley shortly before Christmas

John was a knowledgeable and passionate campaigner for traditional pubs, ales and in particular beers matured in the wood and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood. This was a topic very close to his heart and even went so far as to buy his own wooden beer casks to ensure a great selection of beer in the wood at the Halifax and Calderdale Beer festival.

He was recognised nationally by CAMRA last year for his campaigning activities and - under his guidance - Calderdale Beer & Cider Festival grew rapidly to become one of the best and most popular in the North of England.

John was a strong contributor to the Friends of Sowerby Bridge Railway Station group, being one of the founding members. His father had been a Station Master there, John researched and wrote the information boards displayed on the station. As a retired teacher, he enjoyed and was proficient at researching local history. He gathered considerable information on those from the Yorkshire & Lancashire Railway that lost their lives during war time. This work was also published and sold as a book with the proceeds being given to the Friends group. John also looked after the sponsorship of their planters on the platforms, bringing in much valued financial support.

John liked his pubs becoming a paid-up member of the Fox & Goose Community pub at Hebden Bridge and the Puzzle Hall at Sowerby Bridge following its resurrection from dereliction. His interests were many, but he will be best remembered for his love of strong beers and in particularly Imperial Stouts.

He will be sadly missed by all his friends, and members of SPBW, CAMRA and Friends of Sowerby Bridge Station.