Skelmanthorpe
Skelmanthorpe is a small village set in the heart of the pennine foot hills,
a product of the woolen industry it is now a thriving village. Nothing now
remains from the heyday of the woolen industry apart from the excellent
stone buildings that once housed hand looms. The remaining mills are
now used by a variety of small businesses.
As an old mill village it is of little
surprise that much of the older houses
in the village where built as weavers
cottages and are well constructed
buildings of solid stone, with many still
having the traditional weavers cottage
windows in them.
The village of Skelmanthorpe has a textile museum which is a weavers
cottage dating back to the days of hand weaving. The museum is owned
by a local resident and is opened to private visits for groups by the
owner. It is a remarkable place, maintained by the current owner at his
expense. It is a fantastic example of hand weaving, containing a
traditional hand loom on the upper floor. The rest of the building is
maintained in the style of the time.
Skelmanthorpe has a male voice
choir that has a national reputation
for its performances, and is always
looking to strengthen its ranks and
help to maintain its reputation.
The village has an excellent brass
band that enjoys national
recognition of being one of the best
of its class in the country. The
band practices in its own dedicated building in the village centre. On
practice nights the sound of the band can heard for quite a distance
wafting down the road.
Situated in easy distance of Huddersfield, Wakefield and Barnsley. It is
only several miles to the M1 motorway which gives easy access to
Leeds and Sheffield, with all the facilities that such large City’s have to
offer.
Skelmanthorpe is well served by local shops, schools, pubs, a health
centre and several restaurants and take aways.
From Cross Lane it is possible to see right over to Denby Dale and
Poole Hill, a famous local landmark, and where ever you go in the village
you can see the incredible site of Emley Moor mast.
The village is surrounded by green belt, and with it being around 600
foot above sea level, it offers excellent views to the surrounding areas
from various parts of the village.
Places to eat and drink
Skelmanthorpe has three pubs in the village.
The Grove, which is situated on the junction of
Station Road and Huddersfield Road, The
Chartist, situated on main road running
through the village cenre and The Windmill at
the far east side of the village. There is a
wine bar and coffee shop situated in the
centre of the village.
Skelmanthorpe has a Mediterranean style restaurant called Volare and a
popular Indian restaurant and take away called Solo’s.
There are several other food takeaways in the village centre, including, a
bakery, sandwich shop, Indian, Chinese, pizza and fish and chips.
Things to do and see
The famous Kirklees light railway passes through the village on the old
Clayton west branch line and stops at the old Skelmanthorpe station,
before heading off west through the large double track tunnel.
The route through Skelmanthorpe is
extremely attractive as the line weaves
its way through the countryside, with
fine views over to the village of Emley.
Skelmanthorpe has two bowling clubs
and an excellent cricket ground.
There is a local adult and junior football
team as well as a skate park.
The village has a squash club with several courts and a show court, it
also boasts a bar and room that can be booked for parties.
Each summer it is tradition to have a local sing song. The local brass
band marches through the village and villagers follow singing hymns and
local songs.
Local Links
Savoy Youth and Community
Association
Volare Mediterranean
restaurant
Skelmanthorpe Band
http://sycanews.co.uk/
http://www.volares.co.uk/index.html
http://www.skelmanthorpeband.co.uk/