Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK

The Holmfirth Festival of Folk was a three day event. I visited the town on the last day, in gorgeous weather that had arrived about a week after snow and meteorological misery.

Festival website link

I went on the bike to avoid parking problems and parked by the row of big wheelie bins on Hollowgate near what is probably the smallest cobbler’s shop in the country. Two customers in there and it is crowded. Very good cobbler though.

Bike link At one junction I thought a lady was going to let me in but she didn't, so please excuse the sexist comment if you hear it! Just a bit of movie in Holmfirth

Hidden down the alley where the man is going with his dog is ‘The Nook’, not to be missed by real ale aficionados, so I am told.
Copyright image by David Swanbury

My first encounter was in front of the Old Bridge hotel by the side of Holmfirth Picturedrome, where one group was going off to do its stuff in the churchyard. I know the ones in the background are from Saddleworth.

A view of some early activity by the Thieving Magpie in front of the Old Bridge hotel taken rather distantly on my bike cam. An Ion Air Pro for those that want to know, dead cheap on line from Tesco I think.

Thieving Magpie in action link

A hot outfit for a very hot sunny day with continuous athletic performances at several places in Holmfirth. Well continuous when not perching – based in Marsden, which is about as near as you can get to the Irish Sea from this side of the Pennines, are the Thieving Magpie Morris dancers.

A chap. Copyright image by David Swanbury

He or she? Copyright image by David Swanbury

I’ve been wondering what these ladies are supposed to represent. Look a bit domineering with those cudgels.

A fine replica British Military pith helmet – you can buy them on EBay for £19.95 Copyright image by David Swanbury

The huge brick wall at the end of this pretty street was originally Lodge’s supermarket opened by Tony Blackburn in the 1970s, which stood empty for some years after it closed and was referred to as Britain’s most hated building that many wanted pulled down and replaced with more sympathetic architecture. But no, it had some bits of ironwork fastened to the back and front as a face lift for retail units. Maybe one day? Copyright image by David Swanbury

Saddleworth Morris Men aka The Rushcart Lads. If you venture onto their website you will find some of it unreadable with small red type on a black background. The price of branding I suppose.Copyright image by David Swanbury

I think on some reflection, that these two guys taking a rest are walkers and so they very sensibly wear the high-vis waistcoats. Around our narrow twisty hilly roads with no pavements many folk wander about in dark clothing and merge unseen into the background until the last minute. especially in bad light. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Sid’s Café is part of the magnet that draws those familiar with the TV series 'Last of the Summer Wine' to this area, to wallow in nostalgia for its many years of gentle lunacy. Before it was adopted as a café for the TV series it was a fish and chip shop and was probably the only fish and chip shop in a churchyard. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Levitation Copyright image by David Swanbury

Presumably how they treat their women in Marsden. It is a bit back of beyond! But then I used to think Holmfirth was until I came to live this way. But old traditions die hard there. Copyright image by David Swanbury Copyright

The vacant looking brick building near the centre is what remains of Bamforth's warehouse. Bamforths were the originators of the smutty seaside postcards that were once so very popular. They were also pioneer movie makers of Chaplin type comedies etc before Hollywood got going, until the WW1 problems beat them. A Bamforth link Copyright image by David Swanbury

There are several good pubs in Holmfirth and I suspect a great deal of ale was consumed. Most pubs had events going on inside, leaving the yards for the cloggies to perform in during the daytime. Copyright image by David Swanbury

One affectation of ‘cloggies’ is that many carry their own pint pot on their belt for whatever opportunity presents itself for refreshment. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Speaking of opportunities, here is one young trusting soul. Copyright image by David Swanbury

A white or grey beard seem to be part of the general attire. Copyright imge by David Swanbury

The Grandalf effect is really quite striking. Copyright image by David

Isn’t it? Copyright image by David Swanbury

Fledgling Magpie? Copyright image by David Swanbury

Thieving Magpies roosting. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Close harmony. Copyright image by David Swanbury

Magpies performing in the churchyard. Beatties Deli and Coffee Shop has an online webcam looking out over the church yard and beyond. It looks to be improving from the original one of stills updated every few seconds and is now, at the time of writing anyway, streaming live on test it seems. Beatties webcam test page Copyright image by David Swanbury

A performance at the rear of the Picturedrome. Copyright image by David Swanbury

I’ve never seen her before – honest! Copyright image by David Swanbury

If you’ve see one you’ve seen them all! Copyright image by David Swanbury Copyright image by David

I was sitting on the wall above the river in Norridge Bottom hoping no one decided to nudge me off backwards. Big rocks far below and the river Holme is not an attractive feature here anyway. Had my camera resting on my legs and without warning it had a spontaneous shutter flutter of accidental continuous shooting. Copyright image by David Swanbury

I never noticed the cave art until I put the images on screen. I think it was the hair that took my attention. Copyright image by David Swanbury

It was a good day out but while I was there I didn’t think there were as many performers as there have been in the past. One chap I was speaking with had been on Saturday to see the parade and mentioned belly dancers. He said he had videoed them on his phone but when he came to look when he got home discovered it had failed. He’d spent to some time practicing after that so that he could do it properly next time. He must have been disappointed as no belly dancers while I was there. Good weather for it though.

Tuesday 10 May 2016

HOLMFIRTH FESTIVAL OF FOLK - 8th May 2016

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