Holmfirth, the small town where I grew up is now best known for being the location of Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running comedy series in the world.
The town’s relationship with the media doesn’t just revolve around programs about three old men rolling down a hill in a bath on wheels however. In 1898 a local firm named Bamforths began creating moving pictures and a film industry sprung up in the area which was a serious rival to that of Hollywood. In fact the process of editing is thought to have been invented by Bamforths in the 1899 film the kiss in the tunnel. What’s even more interesting is that the name Holmfirth (or Holm Frith as the town is referred to in some ancient documents) translates literally into Holly Wood. Well according to the mighty Wikipedia anyway.
I actually spent most of my childhood living in the Bamforth’s mansion, or at least a third of it - the house was split into three more modest homes. We had the middle section, and had two sets of stairs, one the grand elaborate main staircase covered in
ornamentation and coving, and the other an incredibly steep and narrow set of servants’ stairs. My bedroom still had the wires from the butler bell calling system in place, although unfortunately they no longer worked.
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