Grants

Once again we seemed to manage the weather reasonably well apart from the downpour timed wonderfully to coincide with the procession. (This has happened enough times now for it to have almost become a tradition!) Most of the town was involved, from Sands to Number 11 via the Cricket Club and all stages in between including the Methodist and Parish Churches, Market Hall, Library, Victoria Park, and Memorial Gardens. Almost every pub and eating establishment hosted some kind of event and made financial contributions to the costs. Because of collaboration with the Picturedrome it was possible to promote some of the biggest names on the British folk circuit and these events were very well attended.

Children's/Family entertainment began on Saturday morning with participatory story and craft sessions at the Library and Victoria Park. This year's Schools' Fringe at the Civic Hall and Methodist Church featured Samba Drumming from Upperthong J & I, Folk Dances from Kirkroyds Infants and Wooldale Juniors, Sword Dance from Scholes J & I, Netherthong J & I's Brass Band, hand chimes from Hinchliffe Mill J & I and the debut of Meltham Morris Minors. All these events were very well attended and very well received.





Street Theatre took place on Hollowgate, Norridge Bottom and the Methodist church grounds. This year with financial help from the Holme Valley Parish Council, we were entertained by a welcome return visit from Bread and Butter Theatre on Saturday, and Colonel Custard's Punch and Judy on Sunday. Both were a great success with children and adults alike, an important element of the festival in attracting families. Another element of street entertainment was the ever-popular Ritmo Unida Samba Band from Barnsley who could be heard with their fantastic drum rhythms throughout Holmfirth, culminating in a performance at Victoria Park.



The Festival was pleased to take part in 'Drumming up Support for Fair Trade' by invitation from the Holme Valley Fair Trade Group. This took place on the Saturday outside the Methodist Church where many drumming groups and individual percussionists performed. Thanks to sponsorship from the Holme Valley Fair Trade Group an African Drumming workshop at Holmfirth J & I was held and the school performed at the Fair Trade event.

A highlight of the street entertainment was the parade through Holmfirth on the Saturday afternoon. This was not dampened by the shower and crowds turned out to watch and enjoy the spectacle and the display which returned to Victoria Park.

The festival committee would like to thank the parish council for its support and contributing to making the festival possible through its financial support.
Many thanks!

Cath Ingham
On behalf of the festival committee