Holmfirth is Full of Talent

One thing that amazes me when we have discussions with people from Holmfirth is the talent pool that exists out here.  Because of our location to larger cities, we are a good location for commuting to and from other places.  It is always nice to come back to Holmfirth though to feel more at home.

We have all kinds of skilled labour, professionals, business owners, senior executives, retired workers, and the list goes on. 

If you have a talent, hidden or otherwise, that you think could be usefull to the town, please share it with us.

Great Civil Spirit

I keep seeing the man in the Orange top and Yellow trousers in the village who picks up the rubbish.  I am completely amazed at his dilligence and professional approach to things.  He may go unnoticed to most, and I must admit, I don't know his name, nor have I ever spoken to him. 

I heard a story yesterday about him.  On New Years Day, he was out at 0800 cleaning up from all the revelers the night before and it was quite presentable by 0900. 

In my job, I travel all over Yorkshire and I see all types of towns and villages, and Holmfirth is one of the tidiest I have ever seen by far.

I am going to buy him a cup of coffee this next week and see what the story is with him.  I will report back to you later. 

If you've anything nice to say or a comment, please add one here.

Positive Ideas for Holmfirth

We would ask that you post replies to the messages in this blog regarding any and all ideas presented.  To get the ball rolling, here are a few of the ideas being bounced around right now:

Basics - how do we improve the image of the town by improving this derelict store front?

• Push for a compulsary purchase from the current owner(s)
• Utilise the property as a community focus shop or museum of sorts?
• Site for the Art Fair, Movie Festival, Duck Race etc.
• Coffee shop or meeting place for local organisations?
• Convince a local business to amalgamate it into their shop?

Parking - Parking is limited and space is constrained, how do we get around this?

• Should we have a pedestrian zone for Holmfirth?
• If we had a Park and Ride, where would it be best placed? Who would pay for it?
• Should driving in Holmfirth be discouraged or possibly penalised?
• Should parking prices be raised or eliminated?

Tourism - How do we generate it? Should we generate it?

• Is it the focus that we want for Holmfirth?
• What is there to pull people to Holmfirth?
• Do we only want to be know for Summer Wine or are we better than just that.
• Should we be seen as a hub for walks, hiking, camping, caravanning, etc?
• Is there any need for a 40 bed hotel in Holmfirth?  How do we attract one to the area?

Keep Holmfirth Special Website - beyond Tesco

• Holmfirth Currently does not have a local paper, website or even a blog besides this new one. One use for a community website would be to help coordinate the upcoming events like the Duck Race, Art Festival, Market Days, School functions, Christmas Lights etc. 
• An umbrella site to promote, create and drive initiatives concerning our town.
• Focus on the positive and link into other connected sites around the area pertain to the town and its well-being.

Remember please that these are just ideas and as such, are discussion points to move forwards with. Nothing in here is set in stone as a path of action and should be discussed openly to arrive at a conclusion that is best for all of us.

Remember to check out the website for other updates.

Keeping Holmfirth Special

We have just had our AGM last night at Carniceria in Holmfirth. There were about 30 people present and most of us stayed on for a buffet dinner and a quiz afterwards.

Our current officers have all kept their positions from the previous year, so good on them. 

We had a lively discussion about what positive things we can do next now that we are past the Tesco fight.  A lot of the discussion was about a park and ride just outside of town in a couple of locations.  Would love to hear your views on this.

I've just had a subsequent converstaion with a lady in the village about the idea of a park and ride and she thought it would be a good idea based on her experiences.  On her street, just past the traffic lights going to Holme Bridge, she can't even park on her own street due to the amount office workers parking there.  She would like to see a permit system in use but this has been turned down by the council in the past.  What are your views?

Thanks for reading and look out for more details soon.

http://www.keepholmfirthspecial.co.uk/