Hepworth, West Yorkshire

Hepworth is a small village to the southeast of Holmfirth and southwest of Jackson Bridge in West Yorkshire, England. It is in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees and the parish of Holme Valley.

Although it started as a fairly small hamlet it has grown considerably through the 1980s and 1990s with new housing and small businesses. It has been extensively used as one of the locations in the BBC's long-running comedy series "Last of the Summer Wine". Much of which has centred on the village pub the 'Butchers Arms', which provides a central meeting place for the village residents.

History

Early history

The name Hepworth is Anglo-Saxon. It may have been that Heppa, an Anglo-Saxon, was of great “worth”. There is also the view of Dr H. T. Moorhouse who states, in his "History of Kirkburton and the Graveship of Holme" (1861), that the name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon “Hep” meaning high and “worth” meaning place of residence. In the "Domesday Book" it is given the name Hepeuuord and is described as the King’s land with steep streets. In medieval times the wool trade was the chief source of employment. During the fourteenth century Hepworth was in the parish of Kirkburton, which covered around fifty square miles. It incorporated the townships of Wooldale, Cumberworth, Cartworth, Fulstone, Shepley amongst others. In the fifteenth century a church was built at Holmfirth and during the Civil War a petition was submitted asking for Holmfirth to be made a parish in its own right. The petition was granted by Minister Gamaliel Abraham in 1651. Hepworth and its neighbour Scholes thus became part of the parish of Holmfirth.

The Great Plague

In 1665 – 1666 the Great Plague struck England. It wrought devastation in London, then spread across the country. Hepworth was the most northerly point that it reached. According to local legend it is supposed to have come in on cloth brought from London.

In an effort to save the village the residents split the village into two parts at Barracks Fold. Those that were infected remained, isolated from the world, in one half. Thirteen of the residents died from the disease, which was a considerable percentage of the population in such a small village and thirteen trees were planted to remember them. The trees still stand today, by the local football pitch. Two subsequently fell down and in 2004, replacements were planted at a small ceremony by Parish Councillor, Ruth Jackson. The end of the plague in Hepworth is still commemorated on the last Monday in June every year with Hepworth Feast.

Hepworth's spiritual founding

In 1777 a mighty storm caused the River Holme to swell and flood over its banks in Holmfirth, sweeping away people and property, including the parish church. It was rebuilt in its present state a year later with funding from local clothiers. During this period Wesleyan evangelicals were active in the Holme Valley and Hepworth. They encouraged the local residents to demand that church services be held at the Old Town School. This led to Hepworth becoming a separate parish. In 1862 Holy Trinity Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon further boosting spirituality in Hepworth.

Local village events

Hepworth has a range of events on a regular basis. They are mainly arranged by the Village Hall Committee or the local church. These include:-

Hepworth Feast

Hepworth Feast is held every year on the last Monday of June. It commemorates the end of the Great Plague in Hepworth. Traditionally a pig was roasted for the feast but this no longer continues. During the afternoon a procession of villagers walk from Hepworth to Scholes and back, in a circular trip, accompanied by Hepworth Cookson Homes Brass Band. The local school children are given a tea after the procession and in the evening the children take part in races at the Recreation Ground. Prior to 2004 the feast had degenerated into an event to get drunk at, mostly by youths from surrounding villages. However since then the Hepworth Feast Committee have sought to make the event more family orientated. They have introduced stalls for children on the main street, including some more traditional Punch and Judy, coconut-shies and magicians acts. There is also an exhibition of historical photographs from Hepworth.

Hepworth Garden Trail

Hepworth Garden Trail is held every two years during early July. Selected gardens in the village are opened to the public. Those that can be viewed are marked on maps of the village. Many of the gardens listed feature plant stalls or sell refreshments.

Hepworth Garden Show

Hepworth Garden Show is held annually on the first Saturday in September at the Village Hall. Fruit, vegetables and flowers are displayed and judged upstairs. Children’s exhibits, cookery and handy crafts are displayed and judged downstairs. After the show any exhibits left behind are auctioned off at the local Sports and Social Club.