Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Soory that last photograph is so dark, you can lighten it up on your photograph manager.

[Mathos]

The next village we visited was an interesting spot.

I have a few photographs here which are not mine, they are scanned post cards. It's quite an interesting tourist village is Holmfirth.




I'll put the post card photographs on first and then some of my own later.



It's an extremely interesting and picturesque little spot.

You might associate these steps with Nora Batty.



The famous Cafe as well.




Some of you will be familiar with the scenes above, they are all very famous in the 'Last of The Summer Wine Series'



Last of the Summer Wine


The world's longest-running sitcom seems immortal, which is ironic for a show about people in the autumn of their years.

[Mathos]

There are some interesting links here, click on them if you have an interest, the programs were extremely funny.


BBC - Comedy - Last of the Summer Wine
The world's longest-running sitcom seems immortal, which is ironic for a show about people in the autumn of their years.



Last of the Summer Wine, cast & theme tune - Huddersfield Examiner
Read all about Last of the Summer Wine, the BBC TV series set in Holmfirth. Last of the

[Mathos]

I'd been told to find the Church in the centre of town and to park up in that area then take a good walk around.

We located the Church, and parked up to take a good walk. It was interesting and nice, the heavens opened with heavy rain a time or two, so we took shelter in a cafe, book shop and pub.

Never drunk so much tea in one sitting though.



The River Holme runs through the centre of this very nice and picturesque town.

There are numerous cottages and top and bottom houses, with the interesting steps.




Many narrow streets around the backs of the main streets. All cobbled, cute and interesting.



I like areas like this, they have so much history.



You don't come across many Cobblers shops nowadays either.

One thing we did notice and have in previous villages in these hilly locations.

The lack of bicycles.

You wouldn't half struggle to pedal up some of these hills.



These photographs are my own of course and this is the famous cafe from the Television series.

They had this 'dummy' of 'Compo' at the front.

The late Bill Owen played an amazing character in the series.

We had a drink in here. Talking to folk, filming had been going on the day before. They change all the doors, and carry out scenic changes which amaze the locals.

Good stuff this television production.



Again, you can imagine the overall labour involved in the original construction of towns in these locations especially.




I liked how they had built the shelter over the River as well.




They had some coloured lights pointing down towards the river from the main bridge in the town centre. They changed colours periodically automatically, blue, yellow, red, etc. I think it must have looked very effective during the hours of darkness.

[Happyman]

In the Ancient Monument and Site register,( The register is far from complete simply because nobody has bothered to do the field work !) nothing shows up for the area but the Herders Inn is in the middle of an irregular enclosure which includes the wall on the edge of the scarp that shows in your photo.
The register is far from complete simply because nobody has bothered to do the field work !
In the satellite image it shows up well - very strange as if it was enclosed during the great "enclosing " period (1750 onwards) they always did it in straight lines !! Gonna dig deeper into this one !!! Searching enclosure records now - could take a few days but what the hell I'm doing bugger all else these days !!!

Cant lighten the second photo enough to make out much detail though

[Happyman]

Originally Posted by Mathos

The top of the hill on the horizon as Walter mentioned, looks interesting and appears to have been constructed as opposed to being natural.

The trees going down from the chimney pots in the centre of the picture look interesting as well.

But I'm only taking guesses.

First guess is correct !
trying to trace that one now- what street was the photo ? if you can remember - gives me some idea of direction to look into !

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

In the Ancient Monument and Site register,( The register is far from complete simply because nobody has bothered to do the field work !) nothing shows up for the area but the Herders Inn is in the middle of an irregular enclosure which includes the wall on the edge of the scarp that shows in your photo.
The register is far from complete simply because nobody has bothered to do the field work !
In the satellite image it shows up well - very strange as if it was enclosed during the great "enclosing " period (1750 onwards) they always did it in straight lines !! Gonna dig deeper into this one !!! Searching enclosure records now - could take a few days but what the hell I'm doing bugger all else these days !!!

Cant lighten the second photo enough to make out much detail though

Sounds interesting, I'll see what I can do with the photograph and replace it if it comes out better. It looks better on the original, but darkens when I post it?

Technology.

[ChiangMai noon]

this is a very fine thread mathos.

thanks for the effort.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

First guess is correct !
trying to trace that one now- what street was the photo ? if you can remember - gives me some idea of direction to look into !

No record of the street name. Sorry.

However, Dacre Son & Hartley Estate Agents will have web pages. The cobbled street and property for sale may be possible to match, or you could e-mail them with photograph and query.

Good luck, glad you find it interesting.

Me too.


Flobo just reading posts, she tells me the street was Main Street in Haworth..

[Mathos]

This appears to be an improvement on the preview. Depends how it shows up though.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

this is a very fine thread mathos.

thanks for the effort.

Thanks CMN nice of you to say so and much appreciated.

Cheers Pal.

[Mathos]

This particular photograph is one taken from by the river in Holmfirth and shows the row of mill type large cottages, I don't know the history regarding the same, I rather imagine the building was once a large mill. Probably converted to houses when the English textile trade took a nose dive. Some of the properties were business use but others were obvious residential, four floors as well.






The river runs down below the wall on the left hand side of the photograph. The trees were growing from the dry sections of banking below.


There's an interesting article I came across and thought it appropriate to post:-

Village spotlight on ... Holmfirth

Dec 19 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner


IT seems that Holmfirth has always been associated with the BBC's long-running series Last of the Summer Wine.

For the last 30 years Holmfirth has been affectionately known as `Summer Wine Land'.

Many of the hamlets around Holmfirth have also had Compo and Co filming on their doorstep.

The nickname would certainly have surprised the area's first inhabitants, who began settling in Holmfirth over 1,000 years ago.

In Saxon and medieval times Holmfirth was a hunting forest used by the medieval lords of Wakefield. Indeed, the name Holmfirth means `sparse woodland belonging to Holme'.

By 1200 there were some settlers in the area - records show there was a corn mill with a few houses built around the mill.

The town, or village as it was then, had begun to grow. At that time, and until the advent of the Industrial Revolution, residents built their homes higher up the valley rather than in the valley bottom.


This was certainly the case in the 1700s when, although increasing, the population remained overwhelmingly rural - living and working on the farms and in cottage industries higher up the slopes.


It was only during the late 18th century that this changed. In 1784 John Fallas, a woollen clothier, acquired some properties in the valley bottom and the mills (which had to be built near rivers, thus requiring workers and their dwellings to be nearer the river) came to Holmfirth.

The Industrial Revolution had arrived and it would transform the small village into a thriving mill town.

Ironically, the one thing that brought the mills to Holmfirth - the abundant supply of water in the area which was needed to power the mills - would also cause tragedy: the 1852 Flood.

It is certain that the area had been prone to floods in the past but prior to the Industrial Revolution the valley bottom would have been virtually empty and so the consequences of these floods would have been less severe.

Indeed, in 1738 and 1777 floods occurred but did not have the catastrophic consequences of the 1852 Flood in which 81 lives were lost, whole families were wiped out, property amounting to almost £250,000 was destroyed and thousands were left homeless and jobless.

From the late 18th century until the 20th century many people living in Holmfirth and the surrounding areas found their livelihood in the textile industry. And even as late as 1941 Holmfirth was described as a `town busy with wool'. The town still has strong links with the textile industry, but it is fair to say Holmfirth's prosperity today arises to a great degree out of the success of The Last of the Summer Wine which has placed it firmly on the tourist map.


Of course, this is not the first time that film crews and cameras have been seen on the streets of Holmfirth.

Early in the 20th century the streets were settings for many of Bamforth's moving pictures. James Bamforth, who was a talented artist, started painting the backgrounds of life models for lantern slides. The `king of the lantern slides', as he became known, then began producing films and his company was the first in Britain to make films for entertainment.

The streets of Holmfirth were often brought to a standstill when the films were being made and locals were often seen in the streets plastered with custard pies, being drenched by fire hoses or buckets of whitewash!

Holmfirth is no longer a `town busy with wool' but is a town bustling with tourists willing to spend their money at Sid's Cafe, looking for Nora Batty's house and even traces of her wrinkled stockings!

Holmfirth History:

1000 – 1200: First recorded settlers, although it is likely that the area had been inhabited prior to this.

Late 1300s: There were 175 taxable inhabitants in Holmfirth (a married couple counted as one).

1476: The first stone church was built. It is probable that there had been a wooden one on the same site prior to this.

1500: A chapel-of-ease is built in Holmfirth. Worshippers no longer had to travel the four or five miles to Almondbury Parish Church.

1597: Th'owd Towzer is believed to have been built in this year. Th'owd Towzer is a building near the Holy Trinity Church. It was originally the church lockup. It has had various roles over the years: a mortuary, an ambulance station, a jail and a fire station.

1642: The English Civil War begins. Holmfirth sends 100 musketeers to join Oliver Cromwell's armies (the Roundheads).

1650: Holmfirth people petition for the chapelry of Holmfirth to be a separate parish.

1651: Holmfirth becomes a separate parish.

1660: After the Restoration Holmfirth loses its status as a separate parish and reverts to a chapel-of-ease. Perhaps a punishment for Holmfirth's role in the Civil War!

1738: Sunday, May 7 – first recorded Holmfirth flood. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.

1776: The first Spinning Jenny is introduced in the area.

1777: Wednesday, July 23 – a thunderstorm causes the River Holme to burst its banks. Three lives were lost as a result of this flood.

1788: The present day Holy Trinity Church is built.

1801: Th'owd Genn is erected to mark the end of the war with France.

1812: Luddite activity begins in Holmfirth and the surrounding villages.

1821: September 21 - heavy rainstorms cause yet another flood. Again there was no loss of life.

1838: The Town Hall is built by public subscription.

1850: Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company open the branch line to Holmfirth. The Druids' Hall is built for the Ancient Order of Druids Friendly Society at a cost of £1,800. It has since been used for various purposes: entertainment, a hotel and a drill hall but is now the home of the Freemasons.

1852: February 5 - `The Great Flood'. This flood has been described as `probably the greatest single disaster ever to befall the Holme Valley', claiming 81 lives.

1858: The population in Holmfirth had increased so much that it once again became an independent parish.

1860: Victoria Bridge is built. Prior to this Upper Bridge and Toll House was the main entrance to Holmfirth.

1865: A wooden railway viaduct at Mytholmbridge collapsed causing the Holmfirth railway line to be shut for one and a half years.

1867: The train service resumes when a new stone viaduct is completed to replace the wooden one.

1870: The firm Bamforth & Co is established by James Bamforth.

1872: On July 8, one thousand weavers went on strike.

1911: Death of James Bamforth. He was described in one local newspaper as `one of Holmfirth's most honoured townsmeCafén'.

1912: The Valley Theatre opens its doors.

1914: Steam wagons from B Mellor and Sons help with the transportation of troops.

1944: Whit Monday. The last of the Great Floods. Called the `Forgotten Flood' because it occurred a few days before the Allied invasion of Normandy. There was a news blackout at this time and it was ten days later when the flood was reported. By the time it was reported it was a minor event - the news being all about the Allied invasion.

1959: October 31 - Holmfirth passenger line closes. The goods service continues for another six years.

1995: Digley Reservoir was almost empty as a result of a drought.

1999: July 12 - Bill Owen, who played Compo in Last of the Summer Wine, died. His character died as well - the rest of the cast attending both his real life funeral and the funeral of his character Compo a few months later. He is buried at St John's Church, Upperthong overlooking Summer Wine Country.

There were some really interesting properties in the location.





By the time we finished walking up and down these hills though, we knew about it.

We were quite stiff the following morning as well.

[Mathos]

Whenever you look around in these small hamlets and towns which have had association with farming, textile or other resulting in various buildings being erected years ago, there are always good signs of things to come from the old.

I hate to see the old being demolished on a personal basis.



A terrace like this and it would be criminal to demolish the same.

I imagine how it can be refurbished and brought up to contemporary standards. How superb this would look if it is modernised.



This one dated for all to see 1880 is virtually priceless as a conversion.
It would need to be carried out with strict adherence to the rules as well.

What a brilliant specimen it is and would make.




I enjoy spending time looking at these older properties.

I think they are fantastic.



The 'Shoulder of Mutton' pub here was original as well, small rooms central small bar. Original. you wouldn't want them to get loose on that with plastic beams and silly decor. It would be 'criminal'

We got nattering a little in there so I have no photographs of the inside, it slipped my mind, which is unusual.


I think Flobo was glad for the rain as well. She slipped into a little shop and came out with a top of some description during one of the downpours.




I like this one as well, and the cat, sitting on guard, waiting for the first mouse or any rodent to show itself you can wager.



I notice these villages do have a large number of cats.

[Mathos]

The Tourist trade in these Hamlets is obviously doing well.

This particular outlet at Haworth was quite spectacular inside.

It sold just about everything.




There were clothes, whiskey, various other specialised alcohol drinks.
Shortbread, flash deals two large tins for £6..00. Jams, honey, preserves in general.

A Café. Garden furniture.

All weather clothes.



The pub will remain nameless for the time being, I can neither remember the name or read it for the tree branches. I'll keep an eye on the photograph and see what the name is when autumn comes and the leaves fall.

If any of you spot it before me, send me a PM will you.

I had to laugh to myself when I came across these two cottages though. Either both owners abhor gardening, or they have had enough of bloody tourists gawping through their windows and snapping away with cameras.




I bet it is somewhat annoying though having hundreds of folk snapping away at your house with cameras every week.



It's making me feel somewhat guilty now.

No it isn't.

[Mathos]

Hi Walter, you're up bright and early Pal.

[Mathos]

I'd had quite a walk up a hill seeing what was about and on the return leg took this photograph which I thought was quite nice.




The wall with the parasol and awning is the rear of the famous cafe from 'Last of The Summer Wine' you can have a drink, sandwich, snack etc in the yard.




The streets and property in general are quite outstanding.


More Steps.



It's quite amazing again to think of the obvious different levels the builders would have been forced to contend with.

You wouldn't find them building towns or villages in places like this today. Too difficult, even with all the modern equipment.

They take time to find nice flat flood plains.

I'm putting this next one on for one reason only.





September 2nd 2008 about 7pm I would think.

Autumn is upon us.

Nice though.

[Mathos]

Another photograph of the River Holme.

It was quite surprising reading about the floods in the village from the information I put up regarding the town a few posts back, and all of those deaths. Difficult to imagine a town on the side of a mountain flooding like that.





This is a superb panoramic view from just outside Holmfirth.



There is something about that hill as well. I'll leave it to Happyman though.




That's a little clearer and somewhat closer.

[Mathos]

Almost time for me to call it a day as well.






I haven't overdone the Church bits on this one, but I have to say the architecture and quality of the buildings is amazing in general.

Looks like Cat has seen something.

Couple here from Flobo's camera as well, They are additional ones of the area Happyman was interested in and seem to be clearer shots.



Stones to the right.



This one above seems to give much more clarity.

The one below is a better snap of the valley which caught my attention.




Those mounds don't exactly look like natural formations to me.

[wanderering walter]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Finally drifted off this 'mortal coil' on a field trip at 85 in 1962 at 'The Walls' in Staffordshire ( hill fort) during a field trip lunch break - still talking - sandwich in one hand and a glass of sherry in the other!!

Happyman , can,t resist the reply , it,s mean,t in great admiration!! was that after she died! she lives on!!

[wanderering walter]

Bet you know Alan Jackson late 1950s (Action Jackson) Ford Thames Trader,s motorway (preston bypass) rum buggar!

Last post mate!! "Red bus is leaving! " Ding Ding!! all aboard! Who was No 6 ?? or better still , No 1, ??, Does it really matter? Depends on your perception! aaahhh the eternal 3 rd dimensional clap trap!!