The countdown is on to Holmfirth Arts Festival 2012, and Holmfirthweb.com is proud to be among the first to bring you advance details of five of the shows.
The full festival programme launches in two weeks, but in the meantime we wanted to tell you about five of the shows coming to Holmfirth this June. From jazz to chamber music, art to comedy, this is just a flavour of some of the great events lined up for the Valley.
The box office has opened early for all of these shows, so get booking and beat the rush!
Glorious Colour: an evening with Kaffe Fassett
Friday 15th June, 8pm, Holmfirth High School
One of the world’s leading textile artists, Kaffe Fassett has had strong connections with Holmfirth for over thirty years, through his partnership with Rowan Yarns. In this illustrated talk, Kaffe will share some of his latest projects; patchwork quilts, fabrics, needlepoints, mosaic, painting and knitting designs.
Matthew Halsall with Brighouse and Rastrick Band
Saturday 16th June, 8pm Holy Trinity Church
In a world exclusive, Matthew Halsall, one of the UK’s brightest jazz talents and the country’s brass band champions Brighouse and Rastrick will be brought together for a performance commissioned Holmfirth Arts Festival.
The Fitzrovia Radio Hour
Sunday 17th June, 7.30pm, The Picturedrome
Re-creating radio plays of the 40s and 50s, Fitzrovia Radio Hour’s brand new live theatre show comes to Holmfirth fresh from three critically acclaimed London residencies, and two sell-out years at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Henning Wehn – No Surrender
Wednesday 20th June, 8pm, Holy Trinity Church, Holmfirth
A BBC Radio 4 regular and self-styled ‘German Comedy Ambassador to Great Britain’, Henning Wehn is a unique comic who’s act plays upon the British stereotype of German people.
Britten Sinfonia Soloists (pictured above)
Saturday 23rd June, 8pm, Holy Trinity Church, Holmfirth
Join us for an evening of world class chamber music with soloists from Britten Sinfonia, one of the world’s most celebrated and pioneering ensembles.
Its very nearly that time again, only weeks to go to the big bustling annual Holmfirth Festival of Folk.
A spokeswoman told the Holmfirth website: “The 7th annual event continues the long tradition of bringing the best folk acts to the Pennines for a weekend of music and dance, workshops, pageantry and fine ale! We hope to see you there….”
“Our big weekend starting Friday, May 11, promises great things – we’ve gathered some of the most notable artists working the folk circuit to headline the 2012 festival, including Blowzabella, The Unthanks, Justin Currie, Flossie Malavialle and the venerable Nick Harper.
“And on top of all that we’re proud to be host to a three-day smorgasbord of talent from lands near and far. Local singers and musicians will be rubbing shoulders with performers and dance sides from across the country.
“There’ll be sessions-a-plenty, sing-arounds, concerts and workshops. We’ll throw in a ceilidh or two for good measure, and fill the streets with more morris than you can shake a suitably gnarly stick at.
“And if that’s not enough we’ll wash it all down, no doubt, with the produce of our very own brewery.
“In the weeks up to the festival we’ll have had some visiting musicians indoctrinating our local children in the ways of real music – which they will be more than happy to demonstrate. So whether you’re 9 or 90 there promises to be something here for you!”
More details from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre.
Books, DVDs, gifts and bric-a-brac are among expected items up for sale at a Table Top Sale in Brockholes Village Hall next month.
Doors open at 9.30am on Monday 7th May. A spokeswoman told holmfirthweb.com:
“Here’s an opportunity to book a table or a pitch for yourself or your organisation
“Tables/pitches are available for individuals or organisations. Call 07763 062197 or 01484 662870 to book.
“Fees are tables £12, pitches £10 but with free admission to the general public.”
The theme of the next Colne Valley Business Network meeting will be how innovation and creativity can help businesses reap rich rewards.
The speakers will be successful Colne Valley local artists Ammie Flexen, Kath Shackleton and Beverley Addy (pictured) who will be talking about and demonstrating various techniques to break through barriers to creativity in business. Jacqui Gedman, Acting Director of Place at Kirklees Council, will also be on hand to answer questions surrounding the Council’s role in local economic regeneration.
The evening will provide an invaluable opportunity to network with other Colne Valley businesses.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday May 1 at The Commercial Inn, 1 Carr Lane, Slaithwaite, HD7 5AN, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Numbers are limited to 30 and those wishing to attend are asked to register by contacting the Kirklees Council Regeneration Admin Team on 01484 221646 or by emailing regeneration@kirklees.gov.uk.
Across at nearby Shelley, a team of volunteers from Cummins Turbo Technologies have been doing their bit for the environment while learning the traditional skill of hedge laying under the tuition of the Denby Dale Parish Countryside Project.
The team of 11 from various departments within the company used an assortment of billhooks (a traditional tool used in woodland management), axes, loppers and bow saws to lay part of the hedge which surrounds Shelley College.
Hedge-laying is the process of almost cutting through the main stem of a hedge plant until it is weakened enough to lay over while keeping a small sliver of the stem intact to allow nutrients to flow keeping the plant alive. The laying of the hedge while looking destructive will actually prolong the life of the hedge and make it more wildlife friendly.
The task was put together by Andy Wickham, Countryside Officer for Denby Dale Parish, who told the Holmfirth website: “The team did a great job laying the hedge. It is not as easy as it looks and this was the first time the volunteers had had a go at this traditional skill. For many of them it was the first time they had heard of hedge-laying. After this experience one of the volunteers wanted to try more hedge-laying on their garden hedge”
Fancy a slice of rousing jazz and a pint in Holmfirth?
Pop along to the popular and well established Old Bridge New Orleans Jazz Club.
Their next meeting is Sunday 6th May 2012, from 8pm to 10.30 or later, at the poplar Old Bridge pub, Holmfirth.
Musician Richard Lord told the Holmfirth website: “All are weclome to our monthly, friendly, relaxed evening at The Old Bridge Hotel.
This 6 piece old style jazz band plays blues, boogies, old pop songs, spirituals and gospel songs.”
If you are dining, to book a table please ring the Hotel on 01484 681212. For more information, email: richardblord@gmail.com
Another free publication is being circulated round and about Holmfirth and the Holme Valley with news, dates and adverts.
“Valley Advertiser” is a small full-colour glossy booklet and the first issue contains a special report on Upper Mill in Slaithwaite, where a Vintage and Crafts Emporium, along with other units, is breathing new life into the Victorian Textile Mill.
An editorial welcome by “Ges and Helen” described their new Advertiser as one of the few independent publications in the UK – most are part of a franchise or owned by big companies. “We first launched our magazine in Marsden, Meltham and Slaithwaaite last October and have been delighted with the response.” Free publicity is being offered to clubs and organisations.
An email from local reader Richard Walker, who described himself as a ” local media mogul” said it was an interesting publication but contained “irrelevant” references to things outside the area in Saddleworth, and also some of the adverts could be seen in other publications. “I’ts interesting. Not bad for a 10 minute read,” he added.
Also, dropping through Valley letterboxes this week is the April issue of Holme Valley Review newspaper which includes stories on Honley library plans as well as the latest comments on the supermarket campaigns in Holmfirth.
An email from a reader who described themselves as “Avid Emailer” said: “…we look forward to the Review, its a real newspaper just like the old Express, just a shame its not weekly instead of monthly. “
In an age when people like Holmfirth police are now broadcasting video messages on YouTube (see our story below), the search is on for young people who can also become budding film directors and stars of the future.
A Young people’s film-making competition – themed as “The spirit of the times” is being run by Holmfirth Film Festival.
A spokesperson for the festival told Holmfirthweb.com:
“We are looking for the budding film directors and stars of the future. A chance to present your own individual or group view of life for young people in the 21st century.
“Be creative. You can use any genre – fiction, documentary, comedy, animation. You can film on a mobile phone, a digital camera, etc. Maximum length 10 mins. Shorter is sweeter.”
There are two categories:
1. 12 years and under
2. 13 to 18 year olds
The best films will be screened at a special show at the Picturedrome cinema, Holmfirth, during the Film Festival (19-26 May 2012).
There will be top prizes for the winners in each category.
Closing date for entries is the end of this month, Friday, April 27th – so get filming! Send your DVD to the Holmfirth Film Festival
You all seen their impressive advertising signs on the main approach routes into Holmfirth – yes its time again for the Spring Beer Festival at the famous Nook pub, in the centre of Holmfirth. The popular event starts Thursday, March 29 and runs over the weekend.
This year’s Fest will showcase a variety of beers and ciders from the local and Greater Manchester area including all the Nook Brewhouse regulars and some specials. There will be live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ever wondered about local policing issues, who covers what, and where to go for more information?
Insp Mark Trueman, who runs Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team, based at Holmfirth Police
Station, has recorded the following introductory video message.
The countdown is on to Holmfirth Arts Festival 2012, and Holmfirthweb.com is proud to be among the first to bring you advance details of five of the shows.
The theme of the next Colne Valley Business Network meeting will be how innovation and creativity can help businesses reap rich rewards.
Pop along to the popular and well established Old Bridge New Orleans Jazz Club.
In an age when people like Holmfirth police are now broadcasting video messages on YouTube (see our story below), the search is on for young people who can also become budding film directors and stars of the future.
