Holmfirth

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Holmfirth

Holmfirth
OS Grid Reference:
Administration
Parish:	Holme Valley
Borough:	Kirklees
Region:	Yorkshire and the Humber
Nation:	England
Other
Ceremonial County:	West Yorkshire
Traditional County:	Yorkshire
Post Office and Telephone
Post town:	Holmfirth
Postcode:	HD9
Dialling Code:	01484 (then usually 68xxxx or 69xxxx)

Holmfirth is a picturesque small, rural, town located in the Holme Valley in the Kirklees district of West Yorkshire, England. The Peak District National Park around Holme Moss borders the south of the town. The town centre sits on the confluence of the river Holme and the smaller river 'Ribble', which feeds into it from the Holmestyles Reservoir at Cartworth Moor, just off the road to Dunford Bridge.

Holmfirth is known around the world as the setting for the BBC's long-running comedy Last of the Summer Wine (LOTSW). Thousands of tourists flock to the area each year to enjoy the scenery and the LOTSW sight-seeing. More recently filming of the TV Slaithwaite-based drama, Where the Heart is, has also taken place in and around the area.

The townsfolk have recently been debating the future of one of the town's buildings. The former Lodge's supermarket building has been sitting empty in the heart of the town since the Co-op moved to new premises in Crown Bottom. Lodge's was built in the 1970s by the prominent local grocery company. It was opened by Radio 1 DJ Tony Blackburn and occupies an unusual location over the River Holme beside the town's small bus station. Lodge's was bought in the 1990's by Co-operative Retail Services who, after years of non-investment, closed the store down in 1997, after investing in a brand new £2m supermarket for the town. The building was sold off and has been decaying slowly since then. The locals, lead by the Holme Valley Business Association, have now begun campaigning for its demolition. Their plight was featured in the 2005 Channel 4 documentary, Demolition.

History

Holmfirth was the home of Bamforths cheeky sea-side postcards for many years. (Although around the time of the Great War of 1914-18 they did produce postcards of a more sober nature!) The printing works, on Station Road, has now been converted into residential apartments.

During the early 1900's Holmfirth was well known for film making. Interestingly ancient documents have the town's name spelt 'Holm Frith' which translates as Holly Wood. This is similar to the original spelling of the US film centre 'Holly Woodland' now known as Hollywood.

Flooding

Holmfirth has suffered two severe floods when the Bilberry reservoir, further up the valley, at Digley, burst. The first occasion was on the 5th February 1852. The second came on the night of 29th May 1944.

See a local media article on the 1944 flood and the involvement of German POWs in rescue efforts:- ^*

Since then a further reservoir was constructed, The Digley, and the buildings around were demolished and the valley flooded. There was a textile mill in the valley, Digley Mills,which was also lost to the waters. The last man to leave the Mill was the Donkey Engine operator, Jimmy Armitage, who was still bringing out equipment, by rowing boat, through the roof as the waters rose around him. Jimmy Armitage was also a member of the Holmfirth Harriers and played Cricket for Holmfirth.

Transport

Rail

Holmfirth used to have its very own railway branch line off the Huddersfield to Sheffield line (commonly referred to as the "Penistone Line"). This short, two-mile line branched from the mainline just south of the village Brockholes. A viaduct took the line across the valley and into Thongsbridge where a station was sited. The line then went along the side of the valley coming to a halt just outside the town centre on Station Road. Plans did exist for the line to be extended up the valley and then tunnel under Black Hill to join the Sheffield to Manchester line near Woodhead. The line closed to passengers in 1959, with goods traffic lasting until 1965. The station building and platform still remain as a private house.

Surrounding villages

While Holmfirth itself is rather small, it is surrounded by many hamlets and villages. Those close by are often referred to as "Holmfirth" and include:- Austonley, Burnlee, Cartworth, Cinderhills, Cliff, Deanhouse, Gully, Flushhouse, Hade Edge, Thongsbridge, Underbank, Upperthong and Wooldale.

Other villages and Hamlets within the postcode district include:- Brockholes, Fulstone, Jackson Bridge, Hepworth, Holme, Holmbridge, Honley, Meltham, Netherthong, New Mill and Scholes, Totties.

External links