I CAN’T be the only Holmfirth resident to be thankful that after 37 years of recycling the same tired jokes, Last of the Summer Wine is finally facing the axe.

Holmfirth has long laboured under its shadow and it has undoubtedly profited from tourism. But the town doesn’t need Summer Wine. It’s about time we got on with promoting ourselves as a beautiful and interesting place to visit, rather than the setting for a flagging and rather pedestrian TV series.

Recent plans for a statue of the late Bill Owen’s character in the town perfectly illustrate the ridiculous hankering to what is, in reality, a small and relatively insignificant phase in Holmfirth’s rich history.

The fact that the local authority is willing to throw money at the project is insulting enough when a simple walk around the town will highlight many far more productive avenues for revenue to be spent.

Generally tidying the place up would be a good start. So many areas of Holmfirth display a lack of care and pride that belies its supposed ‘honeypot’ tourist town status.

The proposed site for the Compo statue is nothing more than a grotty little concrete ‘park’, wasted and uninviting space that would benefit more from some tasteful stonework and planting than a gurning effigy of an old man.Š

If a statue is really desired, why not someone like James Bamforth – a visionary and a notable local figure who put Holmfirth on the map long before the BBC came to town?

Many shop fronts add little to the character of the place. But what example have they to follow when the council itself sticks up disgustingly huge window vinyls in the market hall which serve little purpose other than to detract from the sheer ugliness of the building itself?

The council might also think about a solution to the unsightly piles of wheeled bins strewn everywhere – the row of 20 or so right next to where the tourists congregate on the riverside behind the former Toll House bookshop immediately springs to mind.

Clearing the river of the Japanese knotweed that is strangling it would be a good idea too.

I love this place which is why I moved back here to my roots after failing to find anywhere else on my wanders around the country which quite lived up to it.

It’s a beautiful and unique town – quirky, creative and friendly.

There are so many little things that could easily be sorted out but seem, sadly, to be overlooked or just get palmed off as ‘not my responsibility’. As someone who is involved in organising Holmfirth Film Festival, The Arts and Music Festival and the Holmfirth Festival of Folk – as well as running a monthly open mic night in the village – I know what character and creativity the town has to offer.

The absence of the Summer Wine would not leave a gaping, irreparable hole here. Rather, it would release the stranglehold currently maintaining the place as a glorified film set.

I and many other local people are contributing large amounts of time to promote and progress the town. It’s sad and frustrating to see our interests don’t necessarily align with those of the council who would rather fritter money away on a statue to remind everyone what has been, not what is happening here now.

Summer Wine’s day is now long gone and I don’t believe it’s ungrateful to want the place I live in to be visited and appreciated for its merits as a picturesque and historic market town, rather than a twee backdrop for some dubious octogenarian bathtub shenanigans.

Holmfirth should be promoting Goose Green, New Fold, Daisy Lane and T’Owd Towser – actual genuine, original bits of a historic Yorkshire market town rather than flogging what, if not quite dead, is a mangy, flea-bitten horse only one step away from the glue factory.

Owen Phillips

Holmfirth

Blow to tourism?

IT saddens me to hear the news that Last of the Summer Wine is to be axed.

After 37 years of true, honest and inoffensive British comedy genius, the TV bosses have decided that enough is enough.

ŠWhat saddens me more is that the last show is to be followed, reportedly, by Songs of Praise from Holmfirth as a memorial to the series.

My fear is that the memorial is not only to the series, but to the tourist incursion that Holmfirth has enjoyed as a direct result of the show and that local businesses will suffer as a direct result.

But let’s look at why the long running series has been successful. The comedy wasn’t cutting edge, the characters weren’t exactly ‘heart throbs’, but what is consistent and, without doubt, utterly breathtaking, is the landscape in which the show was set.

Holmfirth and the surrounding area is absolutely stunning and whether people are looking for a great day out or family break, with the Yateholme and Digley Reservoir walks and picnic areas, the entertainment in the Picturedrome, the cafés, bars, arts and crafts, Holmfirth has a great deal to offer.

It may be accidental, but thank heaven for the planned opening of an outdoor shop in the old CragRats Mill demonstrating people do believe in the attraction of the region.

Perhaps then people will see the real beauty of the Holme Valley and surrounding area and maybe, just maybe, walkers, ramblers and families will see Holmfirth as a credible alternative to the Lakes.

Now has to be the time for the tourist board to step up to the mark and ensure sustainability for the local businesses, shops, pubs, cafés and hoteliers that rely on the influx of visitors for their livelihood. I implore the council to build on the fantastic work that Last of the Summer Wine has done for the region.

Foggy, Compo and Clegg put Holmfirth on the map. Let’s not let them down!ŠŠŠ

Rob Wright

Hepworth

Thanks for help

MY mum, Catherine Brant, fell outside the doctor’s in Lepton six weeks ago.

We would like to thank all of those who stopped to assist her on what was an awful rainy day.

She is back home and well thanks to that quick response and excellent treatment at HRI.

Many thanks to all those involved.

Susan Brant

Shelley

Slow roadworks ahead

MAJOR roadworks were due to start on Manchester Road between Chapel Hill and Longroyd Lane yesterday.

I am assuming these works are to construct the 600-metre bus lane costing £950,000.

These works are due for completion in March 2011. With all the modern equipment and men available why is it taking approximately 43 weeks at 14 metres per week to basically resurface this road?

To reduce the disruption, inconvenience and delays for all road users using this road, will the work take place during the night?

While these works are taking place on this part of Manchester Road, another stretch of this road from its junction with Blackmoorfoot Road to St Thomas’ Road is scheduled for major gas works during the next four to six months.

What traffic plans are in place for these two adjoining stretches of Manchester Road? The details for this bus lane were first revealed four months ago.

Can anyone tell me what happened to the Aspley bus lane extension (2007) and the Leeds Road bus lane at Deighton (2009)?

MG

Crosland Moor

Outrageous Israelis

PEOPLE of Huddersfield will be relieved to hear the news that Parveen Yakub is due to arrive home safely after her ordeal at the hands of the Israeli state.

The actions of the Israelis amount to nothing less than piracy and kidnap in international waters. Prosecutions should immediately be brought to bear for this and the murder of some of the activists.

Once again Israel has been seen to be the pariah state that it is. If they are allowed to get away with this, another outrage, then doubtless they will repeat their capacity for murder and atrocity at some point in the future.

Ian Brooke

Radical Action Network

Terrible stink

I’M responding to the article ‘Kicking up a Stink’ in the Examiner on Wednesday, May 19.

Yes, my house at random times smells like what can only be described as the aftermath of a bloody World War One battle. This smell is worse than normal sewage.

I understand Environmental Health has established that the smell is coming from Newsholme’s Country Park Foods but can’t do anything about it because the sewers are the Yorkshire Water’s responsibility.

I have called Yorkshire Water countless times to be told many things that tickle the ears but the fact is, considering the first reported rotting flesh smell was eight years ago, not enough has been done. This smell is actually in the house and must stop.

robert jarvis

Oakes