Hot in Holmfirth

Posted by Peter Davies

Saturday 22 May

A Holmfirth afternoon. Initially Holmfirth CC, looking radiant and sun-drenched on what was, so far, allegedly, the hottest day of the year. Hoylandswaine were the visitors. Lots of spectators around the ground. Great to see - by the pavilion but also on the far side of the ground, in the shade by the trees.

We tried for some tea but there was none available until teatime. So we settled for a cup of tea in front of the pavilion. I noticed a set of new benches in front of the pavilion, each one bearing a memorial plaque. So I took some photos of these for the website. Dad had a wander and we moved on.

Then down the road, literally, to Thongsbridge v Kirkheaton. During our Cricket Project research we were told of a Holmfirth CC scorer who refused to set foot in Thongsbridge because he detested the village so much. So there is a great rivalry. Today, Miry Lane was looking a picture. We sat on the low wall by the bridge over the stream and enjoyed a few overs. A few cricketers passed by, doing a lap of the ground having already batted.

Then tea arrived and our TCC contact, Alan Moore, strolled across the outfield to the dressing rooms and gave me a wave. I heard a couple of years ago that Thongsbridge were planning a new cricket/football pavilion on the far side of the ground but nothing seems to be happening in this regard. Dad tried for some food in the pavilion, and also in the nearby tennis club, but to no avail.