Members of the public are being encouraged to come up with ideas for the Holme Valley Riverside Way 'Arts Trail'. The first section of the trail runs along the river Holme between Sands Recreation ground and Lower Mills at the end of Hollowgate, Holmfirth, but it is now hoped to extend the Arts Trail over time to cover the length of the Holme Valley Riverside Way.

Holme Valley Parish Council is asking for ideas from local residents, and visitors to the Valley, for designs or suggestions to take their place at sites all along the trail. It is intended that some of the work will be more functional, in the form of seating or railings while others will be more decorative. Currently, items on the Arts Trail range from a custom-built bus shelter, outside the Market Hall, in Holmfirth, to a Youth Shelter at Sands, via unusual seating on Victoria Bridge, beside a relief map of the Holme Valley, and the decorative railings on Victoria Bridge.

Alternatively, the Parish Council would like to hear where you would like more pieces of art to be located. Do you have a favourite spot where you would like a seat to enjoy the view, or where there would be an opportunity to enjoy admiring someone’s artistic masterpiece? Perhaps a local school or youth group might like the opportunity to have an “Artist in Residence” resulting in an exhibit for the Arts Trail? Schools might like to adopt a stretch of the Arts Trail to provide information boards – these are all ideas, none of which are cast in stone, nor have they been adopted by the Council as definite proposals. It’s your views the Council is seeking!

The Parish Council would welcome contributions from everyone, of all ages, with the best suggestions going forward to be considered as exhibits to be installed along the trail. The scheme is part of the Holme Valley Riverside Way Project, a long term plan to create a walkable route along the river Holme from Steps, near Honley, south to Holmbridge with a circular route extension around Brownhill and Digley Reservoirs. The first elements of the Arts Trail were chosen to encourage visitors to park their cars at the large free car park by the swimming pool and to walk into the town centre thereby reducing pressure on the parking places in the centre.

The Riverside Way and Arts Trail involve a partnership between Kirklees Council, Holme Valley Parish Council and local voluntary organisations. The idea for an arts trail came from the strong cultural tradition within the valley for art, with events such as Artweek, which attracts thousands of people every year. It is hoped that developing such an Arts Trail will encourage more people to come to the area because of increased arts provision. It is also hoped the trail will appeal to children and young families. Some funds are already in place for the providing the next artistic elements of the Trail. Contact us with your suggestions.