ART AND MUSIC Holmfirth and the Holme and Colne Valleys
Including hidden treasures in Marsden, Meltham, Honley, Golcar, Milnsbridge, Linthwaite and Slaithwaite
Welcome
Brimming with creativity
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To find accommodation, souvenirs and postcards, visit:
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Visitor information and accommodation
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Use this guide to inspire you; and the map to familiarise yourself with the area.
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Our valleys are home to a diverse range of artists, sculptors, potters, and designers. Explore art galleries, craft markets and shops, and experience our vibrant local culture through art and music festivals.
Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre 49-51 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3JP T: 01484 222444 E: holmfirth.tic@kirklees.gov.uk Marsden Library and Information Centre Marsden Mechanics Hall, Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6BW T: 01484 222555 E: marsden.visitorinformation@kirklees.gov.uk
Accessibility
You may come across cobbled streets and quaint old buildings; contact attractions before you arrive to make sure you get the most out of your visit.
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Art, heritage, outdoors, food & drink, indulgence, family. Visit the website and download the series. www.visitholmfirth.co.uk
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The sound of the Valleys Marden Jazz Festival
Find out more…
Feel the music
Holme Valley Singers www.holmevalleysingers.co.uk
Experience the sound of the Valleys at the Holme Valley Brass Band Contest (April), Holmfirth, or from a local choir such as Holme Valley Singers or the Honley Male Voice Choir. Classical fans can enjoy a concert played by the 80 strong Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra or catch the Holmfirth Music Festival (October).
Honley Male Voice Choir www.honleymvc.co.uk Holmfirth Folk Festival
Slaithwaite Philharmonic orchestra www.spo.org.uk Penistone Line Music Train www.penline.co.uk/music The Picturedrome www.picturedrome.net
Hear old school traditional to cuttingedge contemporary jazz at Marsden Jazz Festival (October). Join in the fun at Holmfirth Folk Festival (May) with free entertainment, music and dance taking place in local pubs and on the street. Enjoy live music and sample local real ale as you travel through beautiful scenery between Huddersfield and Sheffield on the Penistone Line Music Train – held once a month on Monday evenings. Spend the evening at the north of England’s most intimate music venue, the Picturedrome, Holmfirth. It’s the perfect venue to get up close to artists such as The Fun Loving Criminals, KT Tunstall and Mike and the Mechanics.
Slathwaite Philharmonic Orchestra
www.visitholmfirth.co.uk
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A wealth of artistic talent
Unique pieces to discover and buy Holmfirth Art Week (July) is a great opportunity to view and buy the work of local artists. At other times of the year, look out for the regular Holmfirth Art Market where artists and designer-makers sell beautiful textiles, sculpture, homewares, jewellery, paintings, art, photography and more. Or catch one of the regular craft fairs at The Loft Space, Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre. With so many artists in the area, the best way to gain a unique insight into the work of our local artists is to follow the annual HOST Artists’ Open Studio Trail, September. Visit studios such as local potter, Sue Jenkins, metalwork sculpture Mick Kirby-Geddes and pastel artist Rosalind Annis. Many artists are more than happy to welcome you to view their galleries by appointment such as David Roberts, one of Europe’s most significant ceramic artists. Across the Valleys, explore independent shops and galleries. Many of the shops are working studios and
you’ll find the artist or designer creating new pieces as you browse. Slaithwaite Emporium sells vintage inspired art, crafts, gifts and clothes by local artisans. Marsden is home to local textile designer, Sarah Foster. You’ll find gifts and home accessories in her boutique shop, Roobarb. For unique, hand-crafted contemporary jewellery, visit the Silver Dream Studio, Holmfirth. For cool vintage homeware and furniture, search out Lost and Found, Holmfirth. Ashley Jackson Galleries, Holmfirth offers a beautiful take on the Yorkshire landscape by one of the country’s most successful landscape watercolourists. Brimming with sculpture and ceramics Booth House Gallery in Holmfirth is home to the largest collection of handmade ceramics in West Yorkshire. Holme Valley Warehouse, Honley has a variety of art by local artists displayed amongst renovated furniture. The North Light Gallery has changing displays of paintings, ceramics, sculpture and original prints to enjoy and buy.
David Roberts ceramic
The Loft Space, Marsden
© Ashley Jackson
Ashi Marwaha
Silver Dream Studio
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Find out more‌ The Loft Space at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre www.greenfusions.co.uk David Roberts www.davidroberts-ceramics.com Slaithwaite Emporium Find us on Facebook Roobarb www.roobarbgifts.co.uk Silver Dream Studio www.silverdreamstudio.co.uk
Julia Ogden Holmfirth Art Market Sculpture Lounge Studio
Lost and Found Norridge Bottom, Holmfirth 07841 989083 Ashley Jackson Galleries www.ashley-jackson.co.uk Booth House Gallery www.boothhousegallery.co.uk Holme Valley Warehouse 11 Westgate, Honley, HD9 6AA 01484 667915 North Light Gallery www.northlightgallery.org.uk
Roobarb Amy Stubbs Holmfirth Art Market
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Take inspiration Main image: Pule Hill
Art in the Landscape June in Holmfirth is the perfect time to discover the area with eleven days of music, art, comedy, theatre, literature and inspiring things to do at the Holmfirth Arts Festival. Get involved in art workshops and walking tours. Choose from events in village halls, churches, cafes and teashops, up on the hills, in homes, on the street and by the river. Spot 15 sculptures between Milnsbridge and Marsden on the River Colne Sculpture Trail as the three hour walk takes you from an urban landscape through rural villages to reach the dramatic moors.
Find out more‌ River Colne Sculpture Trail www.walkridesouthpennines.co.uk Peaty Feet Walks www.madeinholmfirth.co.uk Stanza Stones Trail www.imoveand.com/stanza-stones-trail-guides
See Holmfirth through the eyes of an artist when you Take a Walk with Ashley Jackson through the back streets of Holmfirth. Follow the easily accessible route in the free guide available from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, to find hidden gems and vistas of the beautiful landscape which inspired his paintings. Book a Peaty Feet Walks weekend with local expert and photographer, Andy Leader. Explore lesser known routes leading to spectacular views of the Holme Valley, and capture the perfect shot of your own.
Walking in the Colne Valley
The brooding natural landscape of West Yorkshire has inspired writers for centuries. Local poet Simon Armitage CBE has left his mark on the countryside by carving six verses into rocks along the 47-mile Stanza Stones Trail running from Marsden to Ilkley. Take a dramatic uphill walk, just outside Marsden to reach The Snow Stone, Pule Hill. River Colne Sculpture Trail
River Colne Sculpture Trail
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Get hands-on Main image: Ashley Jackson
Develop a passion
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Our local artists offer an array of short workshops and courses. Enhance your artistic skill or learn something new. Relax on Ashley Jackson’s Paint Day with watercolour tuition up on the moor. Local watercolourist Andrew Jenkin holds one day monthly workshops at Upperthong Hall, Holmfirth and Golcar based artist Colin Rose holds regular drop in art classes in Holmfirth.
Ashley Jackson Paint Day www.ashley-jackson.co.uk Andrew Jenkin Watercolour Workshops www.arjentdesign.co.uk Colin Rose Art Classes www.colinrose.net Slaithwaite Emporium Find us on Facebook Booth House Gallery Ceramics www.boothhousegallery.co.uk
Book a week long course at Booth House Gallery for your first taste of ceramics making or receive expert tuition to develop your skills. Local textile designer and felt maker, Sue Clay, local textile artist Dionne Swift and internationally renowned hand knitting company Rowan Yarns all hold one day workshops in their Holmfirth studios covering felt making, printing, dying, stitching and knitting. For art and craft workshops with an eco-twist, call The Loft Space or Slaithwaite Emporium.
Sue Clay Felt Making www.feltconnection.co.uk Dionne Swift Textile Designer www.dionneswift.co.uk Rowan Yarns Knitting Workshops www.rowan-upcountry.com The Loft Space at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre www.greenfusions.co.uk
Booth House Gallery
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Events and festivals
Experience the vibrancy of the Holme and Colne Valleys first hand at our unique art, film and music festivals and events.
APRIL
JULY
Holme Valley Brass Band Contest Enjoy some of the best live brass band music from across the county in this traditional brass band contest. http://81.174.241.253/HVBBC/
Holmfirth Art Week One of the largest public art exhibitions in England showcasing local artistic talent. All exhibited art is available to buy. www.holmfirthartweek.org.uk
Holmfirth Festival of Funk Dance to a funky beat with internationally renowned DJ’s. www.picturedrome.net
Meltham Memories 1940s weekend Meltham comes alive to the sound of the jitterbug and the lindy hop. www.melthammemories.ning.com
MAY
SEPTEMBER
Holmfirth Festival of Folk Free entertainment, music and dance taking place in pubs and on the street. www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk
HOST Artists’ Open Studio Trail Follow the trail to venues across the valleys to enjoy a unique insight into artists’ studios. Buy art directly from artists. www.hoststudios.co.uk
Holmfirth Film Festival A celebration of film, with workshops, film shows, talks and special guests. www.holmfirthfilmfestival.co.uk
JUNE Holmfirth Arts Festival Eleven days of music, art, comedy, theatre, literature and inspiring things to do in Holmfirth and the Holme Valley. www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk
OCTOBER Holmfirth Music Festival A competition for solo instrumentalists and singers, small vocal ensembles and choirs. www.hmf.org.uk Marsden Jazz Festival Programme of over 80 music events. www.marsdenjazzfestival.com
Colne Valley Museum Craft Weekend Demonstrations of weaving, spinning, clogmaking, bread-making, bobbin lace and more. www.colnevalleymuseum.org.uk
NOVEMBER Holmfirth Art Market Purchase textiles, sculpture, homewares, jewellery, paintings, art, photography and more directly from the artists & design-makers www.artmarkets.co.uk
DECEMBER Honley Christmas Street Market and Christmas Tree Festival Over 40 stalls selling traditional food, drinks and seasonal goods. www.honleyvillagetrust.org.uk/index.html Carols in the Park, Robert Ashton Memorial Park, Meltham www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk
The information in this guide is believed to be correct at the time of going to press. Kirklees Council cannot be held responsible for any errors.
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