Best known for its Last of the Summer Wine connections, there is far more to discover in the Holme Valley. Quiet villages sit in this picturesque valley, which cuts deep into the heather moorland of the Peak District.
Holmfirth's development is tied to textiles. Moorland sheep, fast flowing rivers, delightful weaver's cottages on cobbled streets, and impressive mills, bear testimony to the tradition of producing some of the world's finest woollen yarns and cloths. Today, local firms still supply materials to some of the top names in the fashion world.
The surrounding dramatic scenery whilst a haven for walkers and cyclists, has also led to tragedy with flooding on three occasions in the town's history - in 1777, 1852 and 1944 taking lives and changing the layout of the town forever.
Locally known as 'Little Hollywood' following the Bamforths (more widely known as makers of saucy postcards) early films, Holmfirth today has a thriving artistic community including the celebrated landscape painter, Ashley Jackson. It is perhaps most famous as the home of Compo, Clegg and Foggy in the longest running BBC TV comedy series, 'Last of the Summer Wine'. Filming for 'Last of the Summer Wine' takes place over a wide area and familiar scenes from the small screen can be discovered at various locations within the town and surrounding villages.
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Art and music is woven into the very fabric of the towns and villages along the Holme Valley. The Holmfirth Musical Festival was founded in the 1940s, the Holmfirth Choral Society in the 1930s and the Holme Valley Brass Band Contest can trace its roots back to the 1920s. Holmfirth Artweek, the largest public entry art exhibition in England, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2006. A number of nationally recognised artists and sculptors live and work in the Valley including Ashley Jackson, Trevor Stubley, Mick Kirkby-Geddes and Brendan Hesmondhalgh. And there has been an annual Folk Festival in Holmfirth for over thirty years.
Did you know?
It is likely that the very first portrayal of the story of the Titanic was made in Holmfirth. 'The Loss of the Titanic' was shown many decades ago as a dramatic slide show by the former Holmfirth firm, Bamforth & Co Ltd. Famous local faces include Roy Castle who was born and raised in the Holme Valley.
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