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There are a number of instances when flooding has occurred in the Holme Valley affecting Holmfirth and other settlements in the valley. The earliest recorded one being in 1738 and the latest in 1944. The most severe flood occurred early on the morning of February 5, 1852, when the embankment of the Bilberry reservoir collapsed causing the deaths of 81 people. Following a severe storm in 1777 the River Holme burst its banks, sweeping away people and property with the loss of three lives, and the stone church built in 1476, was swept away. A storm in 1821 again caused the river to burst its banks. The flooding on the night of 29 May 1944 was not nationally reported and it was then overshadowed by the invasion of Normandy the following week.
View across Holmfirth to Castle Hill, Huddersfield, taken from Dunsley Bank Road
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Holmfirth centre showing the Parish church
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[edit] Transport
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Holmfirth used to have its own 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. Other sections of the line further down the valley have been sold off for private housing and the viaduct, crossing the valley between Woodlands and Brockholes has been demolished, though the small section spanning the A616 road, at Scar End, still remains.
The bus station is located in the centre of Holmfirth from which regular bus services take varying routes around the outlying villages and to Huddersfield Bus Station and Train station. Additional services run to the town, from Sheffield, Barnsley and Denby Dale via Penistone. Most services are operated by First Calderdale & Huddersfield.
In October 2006, First bus services were re-branded as the 'Holmfirth Connection' following the re-routing of services from the Holme Valley to call at Huddersfield railway station. Integrated ticketing was introduced which makes it possible to travel to Dewsbury, Leeds or Manchester with a single ticket bought onboard the bus.[2]
The Holmfirth Artweek is an annual event which showcases the talents of local artists, while also raising money for the Macmillan Cancer Support.
Holmfirth is home to the galleries of two internationally acclaimed artists: Ashley Jackson FRSA[3] and Trevor Stubley RP RBA RSW RWS [4].
The Holmfirth Festival (Pennine Festival of Music and Dance) and the separate Holmfirth Festival of Folk usually take place between April and June.
The Holmfirth Choral Society hold classical choral music concerts, on a regular basis, in Holmfirth Civic Hall.
[edit] Surrounding villages
Holmfirth constitutes a town of its own almost seven miles south of the larger town of Huddersfield. While the town Holmfirth itself is comparatively small, it is surrounded by several hamlets and villages. These neighbouring settlements are often collectively referred to as "Holmfirth" and include:- Austonley, Arrunden, Burnlee, Cinderhills, Cliff, Deanhouse, Gully, Flushhouse, Hade Edge, Thongsbridge, Upperthong and Washpit, Many of which are located on Cartworth Moor
Other villages and hamlets within the Holmfirth post town include:- Brockholes, Fulstone, Jackson Bridge, Hepworth, Holme, Holmbridge, Honley, Meltham, Netherthong, New Mill, Scholes, Totties, Underbank and Wooldale.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
(Source: Wikipedia) |