Stars toast Summer Wine years

Aug 19 2002 By Neil Atkinson, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Stars to be entertained

THERE will be a celebration of local talent when Holmfirth celebrates 30 years of TV's Last of the Summer Wine on Thursday.

Stars and others associated with the world's longest-running TV comedy will be entertained to a special night in the Civic Hall, courtesy of local musicians and entertainers.

"We have singers, choirs and brass bands and it promises to be a very memorable occasion," said Andrew Bray, of Holme Valley Business Association, which is organising the event.

"It will be a fantastic tribute to the people behind the Summer Wine show, which helped to put Holmfirth on the map. But it is not only about the series, it will also be a showcase for the town and people of Holmfirth.

"The response from local groups has been magnificent and more than 200 people are expected on the night."

Stars will be presented with an inscribed crystal rosebowl and there will also be special commorative paperweights on sale, including a limited-edition one for the Summer Wine 30th anniversary and one for Holmfirth, showing the Holmfirth coat of arms.

Entertainers during the evening will include New Mill Male Voice Choir, Holme Band, a chamber orchestra, CragRats Theatre and 12-year-old William Hale, of Thongsbridge, who will read a monologue.

The vicar of Thongsbridge, the Rev Sean Robertshaw, will read a Yorkshire poem, and singer Susy Nelson, 14, of Holmfirth, will entertain.

Many local people will also be helping out on the evening, including members of Café 100, the cyber-café for young people attached to Holmfirth Parish Church.

Kirklees mayor Clr Margaret Bates, will be among the civic dignitaries at the event.

All proceeds are for local charities.

The evening will end with fireworks.