Editing Meltham

{{Short description|Town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{about|the town in West Yorkshire, England|the train station in the City of Bayswater, Australia|Meltham railway station}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.592|-1.850|display=inline,title}}
| official_name            = Meltham
| population               = 8,534
| population_ref           = ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]])<ref name="2011 census"/>
| civil_parish             = Meltham
| metropolitan_borough     = [[Kirklees]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[West Yorkshire]]
| region                   = Yorkshire and the Humber
| constituency_westminster = [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley]]
| post_town                = HOLMFIRTH
| postcode_district        = HD9
| postcode_area            = HD
| dial_code                = 01484
| os_grid_reference        = SE099106
| static_image_name        = Meltham & Lower Holme Valley.JPG
| static_image_caption     = Meltham and lower [[Holme Valley]]
| london_distance          = 
}}

'''Meltham''' is a town and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] within the [[Kirklees|Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees]], in [[West Yorkshire]], England. It lies in the [[Holme Valley]], below Wessenden Moor, {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} south-west of [[Huddersfield]] on the edge of the [[Peak District|Peak District National Park]]. It had a population of 8,089 at the 2001 census,<ref>{{NOMIS2001|id=00CZ004|title=Meltham Parish |accessdate=20 July 2021}}</ref> which was estimated to have increased to 8,600 by 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/statistics/census-by-town/MelthmUD.pdf | title = Former (Pre 1974) Meltham Urban District, Metham Civil Parish – Area Profile 2008 | publisher = Kirklees Council | year = 2008 | access-date = 24 October 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080529135652/http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/statistics/census-by-town/MelthmUD.pdf | archive-date = 29 May 2008 }}</ref> The population assessed at the 2011 Census was 8,534.<ref name="2011 census">{{NOMIS2011|id=E04012087|title=Meltham Parish |accessdate=20 July 2021}}</ref>
It has 12 elected council members who meet up around every 6 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk/|title=Welcome to Meltham Town Council|publisher=Meltham Town Council|accessdate=4 March 2021}}</ref>

==History==
The valley has been inhabited since pre-historic times and there are two Iron Age sites overlooking the town. In 1086, Meltham was recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] as a village in the hundred of [[Agbrigg]] and the county of Yorkshire although in 1086 the village had been laid waste.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|SE1010|meltham|Meltham}}</ref>

==Geography==
Meltham also includes the small village of [[Helme, West Yorkshire|Helme]] which has its own school and church. Meltham is situated within close reach of several major cities. [[Bradford]] is {{convert|14|mi}} to the north, [[Leeds]] is {{convert|19|mi}} north-east, [[Manchester]] is {{convert|19|mi}} to the south-west and [[Sheffield]] is {{convert|21|mi}} to the south-east.

Surrounding towns and villages within the Kirklees area include [[Crosland Moor]], [[Golcar]], [[Honley]], [[Holmfirth]], [[Linthwaite]], [[Marsden, West Yorkshire|Marsden]], [[Netherton, Huddersfield|Netherton]] and [[Slaithwaite]], with the villages of [[Saddleworth]] not far away across the county border in [[Metropolitan Borough of Oldham|Oldham]].

The [[Pennine Way]] runs across [[Wessenden Valley|Wessenden Head]] around {{convert|3|mi|0}} to the south-west and the [[Peak District Boundary Walk]] also runs past the west side of the town.<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last=McCloy|first=Andrew|title=Peak District Boundary Walk: 190 Miles Around the Edge of the National Park|publisher=Friends of the Peak District|year=2017|isbn=978-1909461536}}</ref>

==Transport==
The town used to have a [[Meltham railway station (England)|station]] on the [[Meltham branch line]], which ran from Lockwood outside of Huddersfield. The line opened to passengers in 1869, closing in 1949, then it survived as a freight only line until the 1960s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Suggitt |first1=Gordon |title=Lost railways of South & West Yorkshire |year=2007 |publisher=Countryside Books |location=Newbury |isbn=978-1-84674-043-5 |pages=87–89}}</ref>

Currently, Meltham is served by a network of frequent bus services, including the 324 to Huddersfield operated by [[First West Yorkshire]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Timetables for Halifax, Calder Valley & Huddersfield Service Number 324 |url=https://www.firstbus.co.uk/api/timetables/pdf?opco=11&service=324&day=sa&print=pdf |website=firstbus.co.uk |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref> the 335 between Slaithwaite and Holmfirth and 911 Meltham to Thurstonland via Honley operated by Stotts Coaches,<ref>{{cite web |title=335 Slaithwaite - Holmfirth |url=https://stottscoaches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019-335.pdf |website=stottscoaches.co.uk |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref> and local route 933 operated by South Pennine Community Transport.<ref>{{cite web |title=933 Meltham Turning Circle, Morrisons, Highfield Crescent, Meltham Mills, Westfield Avenue, Mill Moor Road |url=https://www.southpenninect.co.uk/timetables/Service933TimetableOct2019.pdf |website=southpenninect.co.uk |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>

== Education ==
Meltham itself contains three [[primary schools]], namely Meltham Church of England (C of E) School, Meltham Moor Primary School and Helme (C of E) junior and infant school. [[Secondary school]]s serving Meltham primarily include [[Honley High School]], Holmfirth High School and Colne Valley High School, all of which are located in neighbouring areas.

== Sport ==
Meltham has active teams in a variety of sports, including [[football (soccer)|football]], [[cricket]] and [[rugby league]]. The football team, Meltham Athletic FC, used to play in the [[West Riding County Amateur Football League]] Premier Division. Notable honours include the West Riding Challenge Cup in 2005, the Huddersfield and District League on two occasions and the Barlow Cup 4 times (including three in a row 2003–05). The cricket side, Meltham CC, has won the 1st XI Byrom Shield on 7 occasions and the Sykes Cup 8 times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melthamcc.co.uk/5.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509145140/http://www.melthamcc.co.uk/5.html|url-status=dead|title=Meltham Cricket Club Honours|archivedate=9 May 2008|accessdate=4 March 2021}}</ref> The 1st XI and 2nd XI currently play in the [[Huddersfield Cricket League|Drakes Premiership]]s 1 and 2 respectively. Notable ex-players include England international cricketer [[Ryan Sidebottom]], [[Dilip Doshi]] (father of [[Nayan Doshi|Nayan]]), [[Madan Lal]] and [[Shahid Mahmood]]. The rugby league side, Meltham All Blacks ARLFC, currently play in the [[Pennine League]] Division 4.

== Media ==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Yorkshire]] and [[ITV Yorkshire]]. Television signals are received from the [[Emley Moor transmitting station|Emley Moor]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Emley_Moor|title=Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref>

The town receives its radio signals from the nearby [[Holme Moss transmitting station|Holme Moss]] transmitter which broadcast [[BBC Radio Leeds]], [[BBC Radio 1]], [[BBC Radio 2|2]], [[BBC Radio 3|3]] and [[BBC Radio 4|4]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/dab/Holme_Moss|title=Holme Moss (Kirklees, England) DAB transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref> Other radio stations that cover the town are [[Heart Yorkshire]], [[Capital Yorkshire]], [[Hits Radio West Yorkshire]], and [[Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bestradios.co.uk/yorkshire-radio-stations/ |title=Yorkshire Radio Stations|accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref>

Meltham is served by the local newspaper, ''[[Huddersfield Daily Examiner]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-yorks/huddersfield-daily-examiner/|title=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|date=2 March 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref>

== Arts ==

===Music===
Meltham is home to the Meltham and Meltham Mills Band, which was established in 1846 as a brass band. They became the first band to win the British Open Title for three consecutive years, a feat only matched by 5 others.<ref>The British Open Brass Band Championships past winners {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927161946/http://www.harrogate.co.uk/harrogate-band/champ02.htm |date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

===Television===
Meltham has been used as part of the location for several television projects. The third episode in 1995's ''[[Coogan's Run]]'' was set in and around Meltham Parish Church Hall. In addition scenes of long-running [[BBC]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[drama]] ''[[Where the Heart Is (1997 TV series)|Where the Heart Is]]'' used some Meltham houses as character's homes. The scout hut has also been used as well as streets for shooting outdoor scenes.

== Industrial history ==

===Brook(e) family===
[[File:Meltham Town Hall - Huddersfield Road - geograph.org.uk - 2136631.jpg|thumb|[[Meltham Town Hall]]]]
Meltham Mills was the former site of Jonas Brook and Brothers, a [[silk]] mill complex that employed over 1,000 workers during the late 19th century. The Brook family originally came from New House Hall in [[Sheepridge, Huddersfield|Sheepridge]], moving to Thickhollins towards the end of the 18th century. William Brook married Martha Smith at Bradford Parish Church – the daughter of a prominent [[Mirfield]] banker. Their sons Jonas, James and Joseph established their business in Meltham Mills, using a goat's head – the [[Crest (heraldry)|crest]] from the Brook's [[coat of arms]] – as their brand. The goat's head can still be seen on the old office building to the mill complex and their arms are emblazoned in St. James' Church, in Meltham Mills (which the family built) – a hawkes lure: motto ''"en dieu ma foy"'' (in God my trust). Meltham Mills Band also carry the Brook family coat of arms as their official logo. Edward Brook died in 1904 at [[Hoddom Castle]], the house near [[Ecclefechan]], south-west Scotland, which he had purchased in 1878.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish-places.info/parishes/parhistory1031.html |title=Hoddam |work=Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical |editor=Groome, Francis H. |publisher=Thomas C. Jack |year=1885}}</ref> The Brook family were [[philanthropist]]s and built housing in Meltham Mills for their employees, including the convalescent home.  They also built Meltham Hall, [[Meltham Town Hall]] and Helme Church and owned an estate at [[Enderby, Leicestershire|Enderby]] in [[Leicestershire]]. William Brook is buried with his wife Martha in Meltham Church, but his descendants are buried in the crypt underneath St. James Church, Meltham Mills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/charles-augustus-hulbert/annals-of-the-church-and-parish-of-almondbury-yorkshire-blu/page-29-annals-of-the-church-and-parish-of-almondbury-yorkshire-blu.shtml|title=Annals of the church and parish of Almondbury, Yorkshire |first=Charles Augustus |last=Hulbert |page= (page 29 of 57)|website=www.ebooksread.com|accessdate=4 March 2021}}</ref>

Jonas Brook and Brothers became United Threads in 1890 and Sir [[Hildred Carlile]] of Ponsonby Hall, Hertfordshire was a Director of the business. United Threads was closed in 1939 – the business was transferred to [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]] as part of J & P Coats – now [[Coats Group]]. The factory site was taken over by David Brown Tractors.

[[John Charles Brooke]], who originated from the Silkstone branch of the Newhouse Hall family was [[Somerset]] [[Herald]] during the 18th century. He was crushed to death at the [[Haymarket Theatre]] in [[London]] following the crowd's clamour to see [[King George III]] in 1794. He is buried in [[St Benet Paul's Wharf]] in London.

===Tractor factory===
Meltham Mills was also the former base of the [[David Brown Ltd.|David Brown Tractors]] factory opening in 1939 and closing operations on the site in 1988. The various building have now been converted into a diverse number of industrial units, one housing a [[Tractor]] museum and other large sections containing an indoor [[Kart racing]] track (now closed down). <ref>{{Cite web |last=YorkshireLive |date=2007-01-10 |title='Last lap' fears for go-karting company |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/business/last-lap-fears-go-karting-company-5053084 |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Yorkshire Live |language=en}}</ref>

Durker Roods, the former home of [[David Brown (entrepreneur)|Sir David Brown]] was converted into a hotel and the grounds were sold for private housing. The hotel closed in 2021, and is currently falling into disrepair.

The town has its own joint Scouting and Guides Association buildings.

==Notable people from Meltham==
Meltham was the birthplace of Lance Sergeant James Taylor (25B/82) E Company 2nd Battalion, [[24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire)]], who fought at, and survived, the [[battle at Rorke's Drift]] in the [[Zulu war]]. Although born in the village, to parents William Dyson Taylor and Sarah Taylor of Helms Lane,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/22818722?h=067e59|title=James Taylor discovered in West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813–1910|website=Ancestry.com}}</ref> both of whom were also born there, he grew up in Manchester and died in Wales, but can still be regarded as a native of Meltham.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/battle/roll.htm|title=rorkesdriftvc.com – Roll of Defenders|website=www.rorkesdriftvc.com|accessdate=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>Rorke's Drift, Adrian Greaves, Cassell, 2003, p. 246. Censuses 1861, 1871, 1901.</ref>

[[Albert Craig (The Surrey Poet)|Albert Craig]], dubbed the Surrey Poet, was also born and raised in Meltham. His ditties mostly related to cricket and football.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2009/04/22/new-bid-to-fight-diabetes-86081-23439573/| title= New bid to fight diabetes |newspaper= [[Huddersfield Examiner]]| access-date= 28 March 2011}}</ref>

Australian textile magnate Godfrey Hirst was born at Royd Edge, Meltham in 1857.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hirst|first=Godfrey|title=Hirst family history|url=http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-VIC-GEELONG-DISTRICT/2004-01/1073013985|work=Woollen manufacturer|publisher=RootsWeb - Ancestry.com|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>  In 1890 he founded the Godfrey Hirst Woollen Mills at [[Geelong]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], which in the early 20th century became the largest manufacturer of textiles in Australia. The company still operates, as [[Godfrey Hirst Carpets]]. Hirst died in 1917.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hirst-godfrey-6684|title=Cultural Advice|first=Graeme|last=Cope|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|accessdate=4 March 2021|via=Australian Dictionary of Biography}}</ref>

[[Dora Thewlis]], who gained brief national notoriety as a young suffragette when a photograph of her arrest appeared on the front page of the ''Daily Mirror'', was born on Shady Row, Meltham Mills, in May 1890. Within a few years of her birth, the residents of the row had successfully petitioned to have the boundary redrawn so that the entirety of Meltham Mills was within the township of Meltham.<ref>Prior to the boundary change in 1896, parts of Meltham Mills were within the township of Honley boundary. It seems likely that Dora's father, James Lindley Thewlis, organised the petition.</ref>
<!---Editors Note: Do not add people to this section if they are not born in Meltham and do not have a confirmable reference of notability. Otherwise, they will be deleted without notice.--->

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Meltham]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Meltham Village viewed from Wessenden Moor.jpg|View of Meltham from Wessenden Moor, [[Huddersfield]] is in the far distance
Image:David Brown Tractors, Meltham Mills (RLH).jpg|David Brown Tractor Factory Meltham, 1981
Image:David Brown 990 Implematic Tractor.png|David Brown 990 Implematic Tractor Made in Meltham around 1964
Image:Meltham Cub Scouts, late 1970s (RLH).jpg|Meltham Cub Scouts, on Blackpool Bridge, near Digley reservoir (late 1970s)
Image:Royd edge.jpg|Meltham viewed from Royd Edge
</gallery>

==Location grid==
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Meltham
|North     = [[Huddersfield]]
|Northeast = [[Huddersfield]]
|East      = [[Brockholes]]
|Southeast = [[Sheffield]]
|South     = [[Holme, West Yorkshire|Holme]]
|Southwest = [[Stalybridge]]
|West      = [[Oldham]]
|Northwest = [[Sowerby Bridge]]
}}
The above grid is based on exact directions rather than close to.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Meltham}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060212073712/http://www.kirkleesmc.gov.uk/you-kmc/parishcouncil/meltham.shtml Meltham Town Council]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051112010128/http://www.meltham.inuk.com/ Meltham on the Web]
*[http://www.davidbrown.com/history.php David Brown history at Textron website]
*[http://www.melthamcrossroads.co.uk/ Meltham Crossroads]
*[https://huddersfield.org/place-to-visit/meltham/ Let's Go Huddersfield] 
{{West Yorkshire}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Geography of Kirklees]]
[[Category:Holme Valley]]
[[Category:Peak District]]
[[Category:Towns and villages of the Peak District]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in West Yorkshire]]