'Village with a heart' on Greater Manchester's doorstep is a mini version of Pleasantville... but things are changing

-Credit: (Image: Huddersfield Daily Examiner)
-Credit: (Image: Huddersfield Daily Examiner)


For sandwich shop owner Alex Ban, being rushed off his feet is part of an ordinary day running his business.

The eatery, run by Alex and his wife Rachel, has become a fixture of a Huddersfield town described as the real life the 1998 American comedy Pleasantville because people are reliably kind and pleasant.

Alex and Rachel live in Brockholes, which lies in the Holme Valley and is about four miles from Huddersfield town centre. But while the husband and wife love their friendly community, others have raised concerns about the 'village vibe' giving way to a 'commuter town' energy, reports YorkshireLive.

"Everyone knows each other and everybody knows each other's business," Alex joked.

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They say that residents, and local companies such as components firm Accu, have been striving to improve the 'community vibe' in Brockholes, which lies in the Holme Valley and is about four miles from Huddersfield town centre

The 'village vibe' is an intangible thing, and some people told YorkshireLive that Brockholes has lost some of it over recent years. One woman said Brockholes had more of a 'commuter village' feel to it these days.

Alex Ban, who runs Alexander's sandwich shop in Brockholes with his wife Rachel -Credit:Yorkshire Live
Alex Ban, who runs Alexander's sandwich shop in Brockholes with his wife Rachel -Credit:Yorkshire Live

She didn't want to be named, realising her comments might draw fire, but described Brockholes as sometimes resembling a 'road through something' rather than a traditional Yorkshire village. Brockholes lacked a 'centre', she said, but it was friendly and welcoming nonetheless, and people were striving to improve the community, including recently staging BrockFest with live music and food.

"I think it's more residential than a proper community."

She said Brockholes residents were content to travel to Honley or Holmfirth for social and sporting events. And she praised the local Church of England junior school which last year was judged to be 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

Another local woman added: "It's nice to live here," she added. "But it's not a typical Holme Valley village. Accu (the company which sponsored BrockFest) are trying to get the community together."

Geoff Sadd, a retired engineer who had popped to Brockholes to buy some beer, lives just up the road in Honley. He's fond of local walks in the valley but suggested that Brockholes now has quite a few industrial units which have changed the character of the area.

"Over the years a lot of light industry has been building up. It seems to be working further and further up the valley. It starts at Honley Bridge and and comes all the way up."

He thinks the area would look better with houses rather than industrial units. On a more positive note, he loves the local walks. "There's a lovely walk up the fields to Thurstonland and the Rose & Crown pub. It's ten minute walk from here."

There's lots of evidence that Brockholes sees itself as a thriving village, from the village noticeboard to the big sign outside Brockholes Village Hall that says: "Serving the community since 1837."

Events at the village hall include Chen Style Tai Chi classes, Honley Dog Club and Les's Dance Night, a social dance event for £4. The village even has its own emblem, a badger, a nod to the distant past. 'Brock' is old English for badger, and many towns and villages across Britain have the word in their name.

Rock Inn, Brockholes
Rock Inn, Brockholes

One thing that people agree on is that there are some lovely old cottages and other historic properties in the village. Several are engraved with date stones from the 1700s. Many overlook the river Holme.

There are also echoes of the past if you look around. A large sign near Smithy Place Lane is a reminder that it was, and remains, an important route for 'wheeled carriages' of all kinds. Back in the day, you would have to shell out the sum of fourpence if you travelled past the turnpike on any of the following horse-drawn vehicles: "Coach, Berlin, Chariot, Landow, Barouch, Phaeton, Hearce, Curricle, Calash, Chaise, Car, Chair, Caravan, or other such carriage..."

For every "dog drawing any carriage or cart whatsoever" the sum was a penny. If your carriage was "propelled by Machinery or Steam Power" the sum was "One Shilling for each Wheel."

Local councillor Charles Greaves described Brockholes as a 'village with a heart' with a history of being a 'working village', hence the large number of industrial units.

"It is a popular place to live, and whilst it may have a busy main road running through its centre, it is a village with a heart. You have to travel for the shops, but it has the countryside on its doorstep, a great primary school, good transport links and villagers who love it to make up for that."

Paul Keighley, a residential partner at Bramleys, Huddersfield estate agents and surveyors, says Brockholes is in a 'handy location' with Honley and Holmfirth close by, and with its own railway station.