MEMORIES of the famous Holmfirth Tiger have been shared at a massive community event.

Hundreds of residents young and old packed into Holmfirth Civic Hall yesterday afternoon to see the unveiling of a new mosaic of the town’s legendary tiger, Fenella.

Fenella was the pet of circus family the Overends, who lived in the area in the 1940s.

She was famous in her lifetime and Valley residents flocked to see her when she was walked around the streets of Holmfirth on a string.

After some initial trouble with the council Fenella remained in Holmfirth cared for by sisters Kassie and Meg until she died in 1950 aged 10.

Last summer, Kassie, now 93, was guest-of-honour at two popular ‘chat sessions’ at Holmfirth Library where people listened to or retold amusing incidents involving Fenella.

She never attacked anyone and now a new children’s book has been launched to celebrate her memory.

Kassie could not make the ceremony but a documentary of her memories with footage of the time was played to the crowd and a special Tiger cake, circus activities and competitions were laid on for the youngsters from Holmfirth J&I School, who helped to create the mosaic.

Kassie’s younger daughter, Rosamund Hiles, said she was a little bit too young to remember Fenella clearly but thought the event was a fantastic way of keeping the story alive.

She said: “It’s a wonderful way to preserve history so these true stories don’t just become myths and legends so people know what’s true and what isn’t.

“When I was born (Fenella) was already in the house.

“I actually lived in a house with a tiger.

“Nowadays you’re not allowed to keep wild animals as pets.

“Projects such as this keep Fenella’s story alive.”

Older daughter, Judy Ellis, said she had recently moved back into the original ‘tiger house’ in Holmfirth.

She added: “The tiger was in the family before we were so she regarded us as her cubs.

“I’m amazed how many people have come out, it seems very popular.

“It’s good the story is being remembered.”

Chairman of the Holme Valley Parish Council, Trevor Bellamy, said: “It’s nice that there’s still some information on it.

“There’s a lot of young ones involved so it will carry it on as folklore.”

The event was organised by Huddersfield Local Studies Library and Holmfirth Library in partnership with the Overend family and the project was made possible by a grant from the Museums and Libraries Archive Council.

The mosaic of Fenella the Tiger, created by Bradford artist Morwenna Catt, will be permanently installed in Holmfirth Library later this month.