Save Our Church Clocks
Since its creation, Holme Valley Parish Council has taken responsibility for organising and financing the maintenance of the church clocks within the parish.
Clock maintenance had been the responsibility of the local Town Councils which had ceased to exist on the establishment of the Parish Council in the 1970s.
The settled manner in which the public take care of ensuring their clocks continue functioning and do not fall into disrepair had been settled in the 1890s when legislation determined the dividing line between civil responsibility and Church of England responsibility - the people were responsible for maintaining their clocks as they did not, and do not belong to the CofE.
In 2019 Holme Valley Parish Council was presented with a motion to cease funding the inspection and maintenance of the church clocks in the Holme Valley. In my view this was an insult to the people and an open attack on our heritage.
Holme Valley Parish Council receives over Β£300,000 income from the taxpayer annually to fulfil its statutory undertakings and has traditionally spent a mere Β£700 per year for inspection of all clocks plus a small amount for maintenance work as and when required.
Upon voting to no longer maintain the clocks, the Council knowingly has created a situation whereby the clocks will fall into disrepair without volunteers filling the breach and actively taking the matter into their own hands.
A number of Councillors objected strongly to this act of cultural vandalism, however the majority of the Councillors voted to stop maintaining the church clocks even though they had not sought the views or consent of Holme Valley residents, nor advised the people of their intended course of action prior to their being elected onto the Council in May 2019.
I believe the Holme Valley Parish Council should continue to do what it and its predecessors have done since the 19th Century and maintain the public clocks housed in the Holme Valley's church towers.
Do you agree that the church clock funding should be reinstated?
Let Holme Valley Parish Council know what you think by voting on the Kirklees Direct Democracy platform and let's save our church clocks!
Since its creation, Holme Valley Parish Council has taken responsibility for organising and financing the maintenance of the church clocks within the parish.
Holmfirth lies at the centre of the Holme Valley South ward and is situated approximately six miles south of Huddersfield within the boundaries of the Kirklees District Council in West Yorkshire, at the northern edge of the Peak District.
Ramsden Road and the paths and routes around the reservoirs of the upper Holme Valley are enjoyed by walkers, bird watchers, anglers and families and is a popular recreational destination for both locals and visitors.
"Last of The Summer Wine" was one of the most successful ever BBC TV productions, enjoyed by people from all around the world who tuned in to escape into the lives of Compo, Clegg, Foggy and Nora Batty too. Their simple lives depicted in Last of the Summer Wine, the humour and humanity of the characters struck a chord with viewers by the millions. The Holme Valley was the backdrop to their adventures and has attracted tourists from around the world who visit to see for themselves 'Last of the Summer Wine' country.
There is a referendum to be held on Thursday the 4th of November 2021 which will affect the future of the Holme Valley. The referendum is open to all registered voters within the boundary of the Holme Valley Parish Council.