IT’S a tourism hotspot with a busy calendar of events.
But until last year villagers and visitors had no easy way of finding out about the wealth of events happening in the Holme Valley.
Last year Hade Edge mum, Kerry Sykes, launched a Facebook group, What’s On Holmfirth Calendar, which compiles all the happenings within the Holme Valley.
Now Kerry, of Hade Edge, has launched a website, www.holmfirthevents.co.uk, for those who aren’t on Facebook.
Both websites, which cover everything from major events like Holmfirth folk and film festivals to local coffee mornings, now have thousands of visitors, many from across the Atlantic.
Kerry, a former business analyst, said: “I realised there wasn’t one place with everything on it. There were just bits and bats here and there.
“Not everyone knew about the Kirklees Council events. Even some of the big events don’t get enough publicity.
“There’s been people who have had a go at one point but the sites haven’t been maintained.
“An awful lot goes on in the Holme Valley.”
The voluntary efforts of Kerry, who has three young children and runs a playgroup, haven’t gone unnoticed.
Yesterday Kerry was awarded the Community Champion Award by Holme Valley Parish Council.
Kerry, 39, said: “It’s good to have someone recognise all the work I’ve done.
“It was all off my own bat and I’m not a web developer. I can use a computer but I’m no technical expert.
“I really enjoy it otherwise I wouldn’t do it.”
Both websites now have thousands of visitors, many from across the Atlantic.
Kerry, a former business analyst, said: “I’m getting web traffic from everywhere. There’s a lot from the USA and obviously from local people. It’s amazing what you can achieve if you put in a bit of effort”.
