Huddersfield University lecturer and sports historian PETER DAVIES takes a look at Victoria Park, which offers splendid views over Holmfirth, as part of an occasional series on the parks in and around the Huddersfield area

THE views from high up in Victoria Park, Holmfirth, are spectacular.

Encapsulated in the Holme Valley panorama are houses, cottages, mills, farms, churches and an attractive selection of picture-postcard greenery.

According to writers Nigel and Jenny Hinchcliffe, Victoria Park is, “an ideal place to gaze around at the town with Holme Moss visible through the trees to the right, across the valley to Cartworth Moor and up Ribbleden valley to Underbank and across to Cliffe.”

The park is located beyond the library, tourist information centre and car park at Huddersfield Road in the middle of Holmfirth.

Interestingly, it incorporates the remains of Yateholme Farm.

The structure dates to the 8th century and was removed to the park when a reservoir submerged its original site.

Victoria Park was opened in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Two acres of land had been purchased – thanks in part to public subscription – “for a park for the use of the public”.

And in 1911 it was central to celebrations to mark the Coronation of George V.

On this occasion, the Holmfirth procession started at Huddersfield Road and passed through Park Head, Woodhead Road, Victoria Street, Underbank Old Road, Back Lane, Hollowgate and Cooper Lane before it ended up at the park.

A local reporter takes up the story: “On reaching Victoria Park, the National Anthem was sung again – just in case [those in attendance] had forgotten to sing it before.

“Councillor John Barber planted an oak tree. Mr Frank Greenwood’s tree of the previous coronation was thriving well.”

The park has also staged the vast majority of Holmfirth Sings – which celebrate the traditional Holmfirth feast day.

Originally, the event was staged at Bridge Fold, home of Holmfirth Cricket Club, and then Quarry Fields.

But in 1896 it switched to a patch of land known as ‘Mr Burton’s Field’ – the playing field of a private day and boarding school owned by a Mr John Burton.

This was the site on which Victoria Park was built.

One particularly significant Sing was 1982.

Hundreds of local people were present in the park to hear the Holme Silver Band perform.

And Sing secretary Gerald Peach declared: “In the old days, vast crowds used to gather and there was a tiered wooden platform for the choir.”

The park has also found fame as a Last of the Summer Wine filming location.

Compo, Clegg and Co. have enjoyed many a rest here – and it featured in the episode entitled “Who’s That Dancing With Nora Batty Then?”

Local walkers are very much aware of the park’s significance.

As one put it: “I half expected to come across Howard and Marina peeping out from behind a bush, pretending to be bird-spotting or to find Foggy pouring out his interminable jungle-warfare memoirs to some poor bloke who’d had the misfortune to sit next to him on a bench.”

In May 2007, the park hosted the Barnsley Samba Band – no less – as part of the Holmfirth Folk Festival.

In fact, the park was central to the festival.

As Holme Valley Parish Council put it in their review of the event: “A highlight of the street entertainment was the parade through Holmfirth on the Saturday afternoon, starting at the Memorial Park, and ending with a colourful display at Victoria Park.

“The streets were packed with onlookers and despite the rain, which descended at times, Victoria Park was well attended and the audience simply put up their brollies and continued to enjoy the show!”

And new life has been breathed in the park.

Last June, the media reported on the “dramatic renovation” that was planned for the park.

It reported: “As part of the regeneration programme for the town, £111,000 has been spent rejuvenating the park, to bring it back to life and to attract more people to use it.

“Funding of £71,000 came from the Holme Valley South Area Committee and £40,000 from Kirklees Parks and Open Spaces.

“The refurbishment has seen the removal of a vandalised shelter, the replacement of the old concrete terraces with grass, the resurfacing of the central promenade and refurbishment of the viewing platform with enhanced paving and new fencing and seats.

“Vegetation has been thinned and removed to open views of the town and surrounding countryside from various vantage points.

“In addition, the play area has been completely re-equipped and resurfaced with the latest safety surface improving its accessibility and inclusiveness for users of a wide range of abilities.”

And in a statement, Holme Valley councillors Ken Sims, Nigel Patrick and Donald Firth, commented: “The Area Committee is delighted to have been able to help breathe new life into the park which has been transformed from an under-used area that suffered from anti-social behaviour into an attractive town-centre facility.

“The public response to the scheme has been very positive and the play area is now a very popular feature.”