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Holmfirth
The name of Holmfirth is known across the world as the setting for the highly successful long-running TV series Last Of The Summer Wine
By Geraldine May
 Over the past 30 years the town has been visited by fans of the programme from all parts of the globe, keen to see the home of Compo, Nora, Clegg etc and to soak up the Summer Wine atmosphere.
There is however much more to Holmfirth than Summer Wine. The town first hit the headlines as long ago as February 1852 when residents awoke to find the town in chaos as hundreds of gallons of water cascaded through Holmfirth following the bursting of Bilberry Reservoir.
Some 81 local people lost their lives as water crashed through the valley in the darkness as people slept in their beds, uprooting trees and even graves, destroying houses and places of work and leaving death and destruction in its wake.
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 One body was later found as far away as Castleton, carried for miles on the torrent of water.
A plaque can still be seen today in the centre of Holmfirth recording the height of the flood. Altogether the town has a history of five floods in 1738, 1777, 1821, 1852 and 1944 – all giving an insight into the dramatic weather changes which can occur in this area of the Pennines.
The worst of all, however, was the 1852 flood.
Detailed records of the time show that the night before the flood saw a long and steady downpour after days of heavy rain. As the wind and water beat on the embankment of Bilberry Reservoir, a considerable portion of the walled structure was washed away and it was now too late for the unfortunate inhabitants sleeping quietly in the valley below.
Today the area around Bilberry Reservoir and the adjoining Digley Reservoir is one of peace and quiet. An area popular with dog walkers and hikers, it is one of the valley’s most picturesque beauty spots and it’s hard to believe that such a tragedy occurred all those years ago.
Holmfirth and the surrounding valley is rich in natural beauty with moorland, rolling countryside, farmland and several reservoirs providing water for the local area and walking opportunities.
Such natural beauty is what initially endeared the Holme Valley to the producers of one of England’s most popular comedy programmes Last Of The Summer Wine.
During the course of its 30+ lifetime, the programme has made full use of the surrounding countryside, narrow roads, old style cottages and, of course, the town centre of Holmfirth. Television viewers have become accustomed to seeing the antics of Compo and his chums set amongst the rolling hills and narrow cobbled streets of the area.
Although local people take their surroundings for granted, Holmfirth has welcomed an unflux of tourists for years, all helping to boost the local economy but doing that much for the town’s traffic congestion.
Programme lovers have flocked to see Sid’s Café, Nora’s house, local pub settings etc. They have enjoyed Summer Wine tours taking in all the popular filming venues.
 Much sadness was experienced by both visitors and locals when the star of the show, actor Bill Owen who played Compo, died in 1999.
Today however fans of the show can still visit his grave in St John’s Church, Upperthong – he came to love the Holme Valley so much that he asked to be buried just up the road from the town where he created probably his most famous character of Compo.
As he takes his place in the history of this popular market town, it’s time to take a look at more of the history of Holmfirth.
Historians are uncertain where the name Holmfirth came from. However `firth’ is the old English name for wood and woodland.
Towards the end of the 13th Century, variations of the name Holmfirth were being used for the whole region which at that time consisted of many tiny settlements.
Eventually a cluster of buildings around a corn mill and mill bridge, around the part of the River Holme which still flows through the centre of Holmfirth today.
 The building of a chapel seemed to seal the name of Holmfirth as a new town and the current church dates back to the 1470s.
By the time of the 17th Century, Holmfirth was said to be a booming town, thanks to the textile cloth trade and also the production of stone and slates from local quarries.
In 1840 the first gas pipes were laid in Holmfirth but cottages in more remote villages were still relying on oil lamps and candles for some time to come.
An Act of Parliament in 1837 paved the way for the construction of a number of large reservoirs around the Holme Valley to supply water for all the mills. This included the disasterous Bilberry Reservoir which was to have such a devastating effect on the town and its people.
In 1861 records show that Holmfirth is described as a large and prosperous town with the construction consisting of a large number of mills and dye houses in the area.
The growth of the mills led to a keen interest in brass band music and by the 1850s there were three major bands Holme Band, Holmfirth Old Band and Holmfirth Temperance Band.
Unfortunately the growth in the size of the town also, reportedly, led to problems of street fighting and rowdyism and there were disturbances at Norridge Bottom and in local pubs. Cock-fighting was also a common practice.
 As prosperity came to Holmfirth, so did the first steam train in 1850. As tickets were expensive one of the most popular pastimes for local people on Sundays or bank holidays was to walk up to the station and watch people coming and going. Sadly the line was pulled up in the mid-1960s.
The one remaining `industry’ associated with Holmfirth in the late 19th Century was that of postcards and silent movies. Established in 1870, Bamforth’s production of quality postcards led to the development of short comic film movies which were said to be seen as far away as Russia.
Sadly Holmfirth was never destined to become another Hollywood and film production stopped with the outbreak of war in 1914. Bamforth’s did however continue with the production of postcards and nearly everyone must be familiar with the saucy seaside postcards they were so famous for. In recent years this too has moved away from Holmfirth.
In more modern times a large number of the Holme Valley’s large textile mills closed in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. A few mills remain today but many of them have either been demolished or converted into smaller industry units or luxury residential apartments.
Today the town is a thriving shopping area with residential areas dotted around the Holme Valley. Shops range from specialist outlets to the everyday, with several long established family-run businesses still in existence today.
Businesses which have been established for many years include Brays photography, Wagstaff shoes and Platts electrical. All have been handed down through the generations and continue to serve the town and surrounding areas with quality goods and services today.
Frank Platt Electrical Ltd sells a wide choice of top name electrical products and is always a popular local choice. Experienced staff are always on hand to give help and advice on electrical items. Wagstaff Shoes in Station Road stocks a large selection of footwear for all the family and also has branches in other nearby villages.
Helen J Bray Studios in Dunford Road is an award winning local photographic studio. Specialising in wedding and portrait photography, this is one of the area’s leading photographic outlets.
Started originally in 1917 by Helen’s grandfather Harry, the business was later run by her father Trevor who sadly passed away a few weeks ago. He died before he could celebrate the studio’s 90th anniversary next year. The business is now run by Helen and her husband Nigel.
Today Holmfirth is a bustling town, home to many quality shops and businesses. One of the town’s most popular cafes is Scufflers in School Street, run today by owner Mike Milnes who took over the established café just over a year ago.
Open six days a week, the café sells a selection of fresh sandwiches, home made soup, cakes etc, also available to take away. Situated next to Crown Bottom car park, it’s perfect for lunch or a quick snack.
The Hollowgate area of Holmfirth is home to a range of quality shops including Parnell & Sons Jewellers and Shades of China.
Parnell’s specialises in the design of jewellery including wedding and engagement rings in platinum, white and yellow gold with diamonds and precious stones. Open six days a week, it has a large selection of jewellery on sale and also offers a watch and clock repair service along with engraving.
Also to be found in Hollowgate is Shades of China, a specialist shop selling china and glassware. With gift ideas for all occasions, it’s perfect for when you need something for that extra special occasion.
Also in Hollowgate is Techniques beauty salon, run by Carol English. Offering a wide choice of beauty treatments, the salon specialises in the Darphin skincare range which is made from the finest plant extracts and botanical aromas.
Darphin combines the latest breakthrough cosmetic technology with plant extractions to create head to toe skincare. Share in the Darphin experience with a visit to Techniques.
One of the latest additions to the Holmfirth shopping scene is Polka Boutique in Huddersfield Road, opened by Kirsty Connolly and open seven days a week. The boudoir style boutique has a great range of ladies clothing, jewellery, accessories and beautiful gift ideas. Pop in soon and see the choice now available.
Remember all items are also available to buy on-line. Take a look at the website www.polka-boutique.com or telephone: 01484 688109.
Take a trip to Holmfirth this summer and see what makes this `summer wine’ town so special all year round!
Published Summer 2006. All information correct at time of print
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