Meltham

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Meltham
Meltham and lower Holme Valley
Meltham shown within West Yorkshire
Population	8,520
Metropolitan borough	Kirklees
Metropolitan county	West Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	HOLMFIRTH
Postcode district	HD9
Dialling code	01484
Police	West Yorkshire
Fire	West Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
European Parliament	Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament	Colne Valley
List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire

Coordinates: 53°35′31″N 1°51′00″W / 53.592, -1.85

Meltham is a town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It lies four and a half miles south-west of Huddersfield on the edge of the Peak District National Park, below Wessenden Moor. It has a population of 8,520.[1]

[edit] Geography

As well as being close to Huddersfield, Meltham is situated within close reach of several major cities, some of which include:

• Bradford - 14 miles (north)
• Leeds - 19 miles (north-east)
• Manchester - 19 miles (south-west)
• Sheffield - 21 miles (south-east)

The valley has been inhabited since pre-historic times and there are two Iron Age sites overlooking the town. Meltham also includes the small village of Helme which has its own school and church.

[edit] Neighbouring villages

[edit] Education

Meltham itself contains two primary schools, namely Meltham Church of England (C of E) School and Meltham Moor Primary School. Secondary schools serving Meltham primarily include Honley High School, Holmfirth High School and Colne Valley High School, all of which are located in neighbouring areas.

[edit] Sport

Meltham has active teams in a variety of sports, some of which include football, cricket and rugby league. The football team, Meltham Athletic FC, currently play in the West Riding County Amateur Football League Premier Division. Notable honours include the West Riding Challenge Cup in 2005, the Huddersfield and District League on two occasions and the Barlow Cup 4 times (including three in a row 2003-05) . The cricket side, Meltham CC, has won the 1st XI Byrom Shield on 7 occasions and the Sykes Cup 8 times. The 1st XI and 2nd XI currently play in Drakes Premierships 1 and 2 respectively. Notable ex-players include England international cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, Dilip Doshi (father of Nayan), Madan Lal and Shahid Mahmood. The rugby league side, Meltham All Blacks ARLFC, currently play in Pennine League Division 4.

[edit] Arts

[edit] Music

Meltham is home to the successful Meltham and Meltham Mills Band. Established in 1846 as a brass band, they became the first band to win the British Open Title three years on the trot, a feat only matched by 5 others^[1].

[edit] Television

Meltham has been used as part of the location for several television projects. The third episode in 1995's Coogan's Run was set in and around Meltham Parish Church Hall. In addition scenes of long-running BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and ITV drama Where the Heart Is used some Meltham houses as character's homes. The scout hut has also been used as well as streets for shooting outdoor scenes.

[edit] Industrial history

[edit] Brook(e) family

Meltham Mills was the former site of Jonas Brook and Brothers, a silk mill complex that employed over 1,000 workers during the late 19th century. The Brook family originally came from New House Hall in Sheepridge, moving to Thickhollins towards the end of the 18th century. William Brook married Martha Smith at Bradford Parish Church - the daughter of a prominent Mirfield banker. Their sons Jonas, James and Joseph established their business in Meltham Mills, using a goat's head - the crest from the Brook's coat of arms - as their brand. The goat's head can still be seen on the old office building to the mill complex and their arms are emblazed in St. James' Church, in Meltham Mills (which the family built) - a hawkes lure: motto "en dieu ma foy" (in God my trust). Meltham Mills Band also carry the Brook family coat of arms as their official logo. Edward Brook died at Hoddom Castle, Nr Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland in 1904 leaving a personal fortune valued at over £1 million (worth between £10 and 15 million in today's value). The Brook family were philanthropists and built much housing in Meltham Mills for their workers, including the convalescent home. They also built Meltham Hall, Helme Church and owned an estate at Enderby in Leicestershire. William Brook is buried with his wife Martha in Meltham Church, but his descendants are buried in the crypt underneath St. James Church, Meltham Mills.

Jonas Brook and Brothers became United Threads in 1890 and Sir Hildred Carlile of Ponsonby Hall, Hertfordshire was a Director of the business. United Threads was closed in 1939 - the business was transferred to Paisley as part of J & P Coats - now Coats Viyella. The factory site was taken over by David Brown Tractors.

John Charles Brooke, who originated from the Silkstone branch of the Newhouse Hall family was Somerset Herald during the 18th century. He was crushed to death at the Haymarket Theatre in London following the crowd's clamour to see King George III in 1794. He is buried in St Benet Paul's Wharf in London.

[edit] Tractor factory

Meltham Mills was also the former base of the David Brown Tractors factory opening in 1939 and closing operations on the site in 1988. The various building have now been converted into a diverse number of industrial units, one housing a Tractor museum and other large sections containing an indoor Kart racing track.

Durker Roods, the former home of Sir David Brown was converted into a hotel and the grounds were sold for private housing.

The village has its own joint Scouting and Guides Association buildings.

[edit] Image gallery

View of Meltham from Wessenden Moor, Huddersfield is in the far distance	David Brown Tractor Factory Meltham, 1981	David Brown 990 Implematic Tractor Made in Meltham around 1964	Meltham Cub Scouts, on Blackpool Bridge, near Digley reservoir (late 1970s)
Meltham AFC 1951-1952	Meltham viewed from Royd Edge

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Meltham Town Council
• Meltham on the Web
• Meltham Athletic Club
• Meltham Football Club
• Meltham Cricket Club
• Meltham All Blacks
• Meltham Golf Club
• Meltham and Meltham Mills Band
• David Brown history at Textron website
• The David Brown Tractor Club, Spinks Mill, Meltham