This is a free to enter fun event open to all - residents and visitors alike - with a prize draw taking place in our studio at noon on Monday, December 22 with a first prize of £25 and a second and third prize of £15 and £10 respectively.

(Prizes will be paid by BACS transfer or in cash if preferred)

The trail map with locations numbered in the order of the zodiac signs also gives clues for each and may be viewed here. One entry per person may be made online via the entry page or by completing the entry form on the reverse of the trail map which can either be obtained from the studio or downloaded for printing from here.

(Physical entries need to be handed in at the studio before close of business on Sunday, December 21)

The 2km trail has been designed to be as simple as possible and suitable for all ages and physical abilities.

Route suggestions are available which will only require crossing the main road at two pedestrian crossings and the anticipated completion time is around 40 minutes without breaks and is weather dependent of course.

The idea behind it is threefold:

1) To tie in with all the festive activities taking place during this period

2) To show off sides of Hebden Bridge that many visitors may not be familiar with

3) To illustrate that there are actually 13 constellations through which the sun passes each year

Additional inspiration is taken from the Hebden Bridge terrestial zodiac which spans the Calder Valley and is similar to that of the Glastonbury terrestial zodiac but with a northern twist of course. Geomancer, John Billingley of Cambridge University, wrote this article back in 1978 and more recently Northern Earth has published details of a series of walks over the zodiac including the map at the foot of this page.

Hebden Bridge is well known for its fantastic Picture House, its Little Theatre and Trades Club as well as a unique range of independent shops, artist studios, cafes, bars and restaurants dotted all over the town. It has a long history with a water wheel dating from 1314, the old packhorse bridge of 1510, one of its oldest remaining town centre buildings still in use today was built in 1657 and then known as Kings Farm and, more recently, in 1798 the opening of the Rochdale Canal stretching from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge which crosses over the confluence of the River Calder and Hebble Water via an aqueduct adjacent to Black Pit Lock. There is also the remains of a 'sky bridge' from over a century ago connecting the former Co-op buildings on either side of Carlton Street. Look for the clock tower above the Nisa supermarket.

Today of course it is well known as the principle setting for the TV series Happy Valley and Riot Women and as you walk through the town you may well recognise a few of the locations used in these and other TV productions.

With the possible exception of one of the 13 locations there is no actual astrological link and the assignment of signs is based on some rather tenuous connections but hopefully resolved by the clues provided.

Thank you for your interest and good luck to you should you choose to participate

Geoff