Our History
Our journey began in 2017 when the Holme Village Residents Association identified the need for a local community hub. It was felt that a community centre would provide a much-needed facility that could be used to host many of village fundraising events. These fundraising events are essential to make sure the village has the funds it needs to maintain village assets and support local improvements.
In addition, the facility would provide a fantastic place for communities from the surrounding area to come together and take part in events, learning opportunities and health and wellbeing sessions.
Finding a location for the community centre was easy, the Holme Institute located in the centre of the village had fallen into a state of disrepair and was ripe for renovation. Developing this space into a community centre would not only allow us to create the hub the village needs but would preserve and enhance the villages local heritage.
In 2017 the Residents Association created a charitable trust ‘The Holme Village Community Centre’ and ownership of the Institute was transferred to the trust. Once this was completed it was time for the hard work to begin.
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- 7th April 1884
The old mill at Pinfold Street (Meal Hill Road) was bought on behalf of the members of Holme Liberal Club.
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- 2th January 1885
The Holme Liberal Club moved in with a grand opening on 23rd May 1885.
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- 13th October 1894
Lady members were admitted.
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- July 1930.
The club ceased its association with the Liberal Party and changed its name to the Holme Village Institute. The principal objective was changed to “promote the social enjoyment of its members”.
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- 1980’s
The Institute ceased as a location for social functions.
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- 28 September 2024
Holme Village Community Centre officially opens its doors to local people.
Our Committee
Click on a committee member to find out more.
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- Viv Howard Chair of Trustees
- Viv’s family have a long association with the village and have lived in Holme for 15 generations. She is a farmer’s wife and also runs self-catering cottages for many of the visitors to the village. She has 3 children and 5 grandchildren and is a founding member of the Holme Village Residents Association.
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- William Clive Swindell Secretary
- Clive was born in the village and has lived here for most of his 70 years. He is a retired accountant with 1 son and 3 grandchildren. He is one of the founding members and the current secretary of the Holme Village Residents Association.
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- Sarah Nobles Treasurer
- Sarah’s family have a long association with the village and have lived in Holme for over 90 years. She moved to the village 34 years ago and is a farmer’s wife and bookkeeper. She has 3 children who all went to the local village school. She is also the treasurer of the Holme Village Residents Association.
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- John Chilton
- John moved into the village 29 years ago after living in Moscow. He is also the Deputy Chair of the Holme Village Residents Association and the President of the Yateholme Angling Club. After working for Mars for many years he retired to run his own Management Consultancy. He has 1 daughter.
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- Shirley Amesbury
- Shirley is one of the longest serving landlords at the Fleece Inn, the local village pub. She has lived in the village for 20 years and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. She is an active member of the local community volunteering as a governor at the Holme Village School and is also the chair of the Holme Village Residents Association.
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- Andy Williams
- Andy became a Trustee in early 2021. He is a retired headteacher and previously worked at Holmfirth High and North Huddersfield Trust School. While working at the Holme Village School he quickly recognised the strong sense of community within the village. He was keen to offer his skills to support the development of the Holme Village Community centre as he quickly recognised how valuable this facility would be in enhancing and strengthening the local community.
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- Richard Knight
- Richard is a Senior Civil Servant at HM Revenue & Customs and has been a Trustee since 2023. He moved to the village 20 years ago and has 2 children, who both went to the local school.
With thanks to
Our thanks go to the following organisations, arranged in no particular order.
Without the financial support of these organisations, and the generosity of private donors, the work the Holme Village Community Centre Trust have undertaken on rescuing and renovating this building would not have been possible.
- Kirklees Council
- One Community
- Peak Park
- Longley Farm
- Hall Education Trust
- Arnold Clark
- NFU Mutual
- SW Interiors, Kitchen Design, Brockholes
- Holme Valley Parish Council
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Bernard Sunley Foundation
- National Lottery Awards for All
- The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund
- The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities)
- Harden Moss Sheepdog Trials
- Holme Sunday School
- Choppards Mission