HINCHLIFFE MILL and COOK'S STUDY

Christmas Eve and the Holme Valley Beagles and Colne Valley Beagles met at The Stumble Inn in Hinchliffe Mill, Holmfirth.  Being a Tuesday it was a Holme Valley Beagles meet day. 

I have never been in The Stumble Inn since it was called The New Inn years ago.  Then later I think, it was renamed the Bareknuckle Boys.  Obviously there was some fighting spirit in there!  I suspect this name was not too appealing to many and it was later renamed the Shepherd’s Rest.  After a doldrums period the pub was reincarnated as The Stumble Inn.  I think I have got the order right at last as I have had to take advice from a drinking man and redo this bit.  Personally I prefer the more historic pub names and wonder why original pub names get changed; presumably to project a new image.  I am not sure what sort of image 'The Stumble' presents?  However I can recommend The Stumble Inn as we were given delicious free hot bacon butties before we set off.  Not everyone will know what a butty is and since not everyone around understands what a teacake is either, unless they are in Yorkshire, I will leave it to your imagination if you don’t know.

From there we went to Cook’s Study, as usual high up on the moors, where some of the locals of this Holme Valley area cut peat to burn.   The Free Chase of Holmfirth or the The Graveship of Holme, as Holmfirth was once known, is comprised of seven ancient townships and the Constable of Holme administers the peat rights and there are several areas on the moors where peat may be cut subject to approval and in an area designated by the Constable of Holme. 

The seven ancient townships are, Holme ( Holne in 1086), Austonley (Alastanesliei was an Anglo Saxon habitation being the clearing of Alstan), Upperthong (Thoac – from narrow strip or thong of land), Wooldale (Vluedale – valley of wolves), Fulstone (Fugellstun – Fugol’s farmstead), Hepworth (Heppenurde – worth means residence or enclosure, the first part being probably the name of the owner), Cartworth (Chetenurde from kert, British and Anglo Saxon for camp and worth , residence).

I’m sure you were dying to know that!   

Anyway if you live in one of those spots you have the right to cut peat for your fire.  When we had open fires I used to cut it every Spring and the way things are going with the cost of gas and electricity I can see I might have to go back to doing it. 

So  a rare treat; a picture of a peat cutter (in disguise).

I still have my peat cutting spade which is designed to slice out the brick like shape.  The peat is left on the moor to dry before taking home.  I found gloves were essential as the wet peat was pretty acidic and the skin of my finger ends used to be degraded without.

So back to beagling

First a look at Hinchliffe Mill, which is basically an area on the A6024 Holme Moss road lined by buildings.  You can just see the mast by the side of the top of the telegraph pole.  As you will also see there are many windows ideally placed for a crowd free view of the Tour de France  when it comes through here next year.  Being Yorkshire folk I am sure the opportunity for the locals to make a bit of brass by hiring out a viewing window has not escaped notice - so get your booking in early.

 Hinchliffe Mill

The Stumble Inn

We were lucky as it decided to be a fine day but the wind was still in the storm force mode from the the wild one of the previous day. 

You can see from the moorland grass on here just how it is laid flat in the wind.

I know I keep mentioning Holme Moss but the mast buildings are in the top left hand corner and you can see the road running up the far hillside which tests the many cyclists these days,

A trail laid along a narrow track with the wind blowing the grasses flat.

 Looking towards Cartworth Moor, the little patch of houses and windmill and beyond that I suppose is Huddersfield.

Back to Hinchliffe Mill and the river Holme.  Ford Gate leading to Upper Row.  Probably the nicest looking bit of the Holme River which is a bit scrappy in places.  I suppose the bridge I am standing on was once the site of a ford.

I once mentioned how a friend had a preservation order imposed on the garden hedge he once planted that had gone wild.  To sort out this ragged looking mess, that got out of hand, he has had to go through many hoops of officialdom to get permission to trim it back due to this preservation order and the fact that it is in a Conservation Area,

Being Christmas Eve the place is full of parked cars

Holmfirth, being 'Last of the Summer Wine' country has its own vineyard.  I am told there is a nice cafe there amongst other things. 

A fine door in Hinchliffe Mill and Merry Christmas