Article:HolmeVillageHomeWork and Construction

Rake Mill

[1] Link To Kirklees Image Archive showing Rake Mill.

The caption reads: site of new reservoir - which confirms a story that in the 1950s, There was a reservoir planned for Rake Dyke valley. Plans were dropped and Digley reservoir was built instead. It would have meant the destruction of Lane village (up to a dozen houses), major work to the main Holme moss road and would have been really close to Holme Village itself.

The picture indicates a substantial Mill building (though nowhere near as big as the mega mill buildings further down the valley.

Rake Mill Hydro Electric plant

In 1915 the enterprising villagers established a Hydro-electric power station on the site of Rake Mill. This is covered by an excellent article by Tony Lund in his wonderful www.Holmfirth1914.com

http://www.holmfirth1914.com/index.php?p=1_21_Electricity-arrives-1915-16-

HolmeVillageHome people mentioned in the article:

Mary Howard

(Mary o't'Mount) nee Mary Haigh my GG Grandmother. I deduce that Mary o't' Mount was used as a name because Mary and Howard were common names in the village, Up to Thirteen Mary Howards are in Holme in one census. Family lore makes reference to the key and "Golden Key" as if it was a kind of 'key to the city' or mark of respect to mry. She did live along time so I'd imagine she would be seen as a wise elder in the village Charley Tinker

Joe Hadfield

I note that the street lighting went from the Peacock Inn, nr Holme Moss, to Holme Banks nr Holmbridge. It also went to Digley Mill suggesting significant numbers of Holme Residents would have worked there. Digley Mill wa ssubmerged by Digley Reservoir in the 1950s.

I have had a passed-down anecdote that some houses , where they had light bulbs on the lower floor, would cut holes in the ceiling above so that 'free' light went into the upper level too

The property of the Holme Electric company was turned over to hilme Distric Council in 1919. Electricity was generated this way until 1933 when Holme connected to the Yorkshire electricity gid as noted in newspaper article here

Article:HolmeVillageHome Government

Holme Valley Reservoirs

Work on Brownhill reservoir in the 1920's. Photo Courtesy of Viv Howard

Timeline

1840 Bilberry reservoir constructed

1852 Bilberry Reservoir disaster

1878 Yateholme reservoir completed

1883 Riding wood reservoir completed

1892 Ramsden Reservoir completed

1899 Bamforths starts producing films

1920 Holme valley memorial hospital built

1932 Brownhill reservoir completed

1950 Digley reservoir completed (with a rebuilt reduced Bilberry res.)

The reservoir building program appears to have had 2 effects on the locality:

1. Influx of construction workers and source of income for Locals

2. Changed use of land in catchements including abandonment of Yateholme, Holmwoods, Trough, Wood Hey Laithe and Mount farm, threatened Lane Village in Holme. Hades, Brown Hill and Ramsden in Cartworth. Digley and Bilberry Mill in Austonley

In particular, the Farmhouse at Yateholm seems to have been in the Green then Stanhope family for a few centuries. Parts of the stone porch were relocated to victoria Park soon after, although it is understood they have been removed from there recently to an unknown location.

noted in the case of Ramsden it seems there was a growth in population in the census of 1880 and 1890 when the Yateholme, Riding wood and Ramsden reservoirs were constructer. Occupations of ramsden at the time confirms they would be construction workers. Ramsden is no ininhadited

Research

General research - WYAS

KC00006 - KIDD MELLER AND CO, SOLICITORS, HOLMFIRTH, CLIENTS' RECORDS

 1 - Holme Reservoirs 

Catalogue finding number KC6/1 Title Holme Reservoirs Description In the early 19th century there were a number of small textile mills in the Holme Valley. These were usually situated near the river or stream as most of them were involved in the process of dyeing and finishing and required abundant supplies of water. Many of the mills had dams built but these often proved inadequate during periods of dry weather. 1836 a meeting was called to consider the problem. The solution put forward was to build 8 reservoirs. By Decmber 1836 promises of subscription totalled £20,000 with security guarenteed by mortgages on the charge made to those whose mills would benefit. 1837 Act authorising the establishment of the holme reservoir Commissioners, borrowing powers of £40,000. The frist meeting of the Commissioners decided to proceed with Bilberry, Boshaw and Holme Styes reservoirs. First call for 20% of the promised subscription. 1838 - call for a further 20% of the promised subscription 1839 - Further call for 20% of promised subscriptions. Began charging rates for those who would benefit even though the reservoirs were not built, many refused to pay. Contract bills were coming in and Commissioners were unable to pay, compelled to rise a loan at 5%. 1840 - Overlooker concerned over the condition of Bilberry embankment. 1841 - Double charge for water users resulte din litigation, unpaid creditors had receivers appointed and new loans raised. 1842 - Rates raised and an appeal to subscribers who had not paid. Appointment of a new contractor at Bilberry due to work being done in an 'unproper and unsatisfactory manner'. The original contractors attempted to get their money through legal proceedings. 1846 - Mr Kidd, Solicitor, resigned as he was also acting for subscribers in a legal action against the Commissioners to secure payment of interest. Contractors who had been brought in to complete repairs at Bilberry started legal proceedings as they had not been paid. 1847 - Special Committee appointed to investigate financial problems, power was given to prosecute defaulting ratepayers. 1848 - Bill to raise £40,000 was rejected by the House of Lords 1850 - Holme Style embankment reported as unsafe. 1852 February - Bilberry reservoir embankment collapsed, the dam burst causing considerable loss of life and damage to property. The holmfirth Flood Relief Fund offered £7,000 to repair Bilberry. Parliamentary Commission recommended that the holme Reservoir Commissioners be given authoirty to borrow at 2% and that interest on previous loans be 21-2% not 5% and that they receive a fixed revenue of £1,000 from rates. 1853 - Act passed all property of Holme Reservoir Commissioners was vested in the Directors of the Holme Reservoirs. 1855 - new embankment at Biberry reservoir complated 1871 - Batley waterworks Act empowered to utilise the waters of Ramsden Clough, Netherly Clough and Date 1741 - 1938 Location of archives Kirklees GB 204

It is hoped to undertake research to clarify some of the details.

Rake Dyke reservoir

In 1950 to 1963 there was a proposal to create another reservoir in the Rake Dyke Valley. Local sources told me they managed to empty every house in Lane Village except Two. One was the Home of author's GGFather Haigh Howard and th eother was a Man called Parry. Obviously the plans were abandoned and the Howard family live in Lane to this day. I also have a story from my mother (Haigh Howard's granddaughter) that her family moved from Lane when she was a girl aged 8 -roughly 1950. This may concur with the eviction story.

References to investigate: West Yorkshire Archive service

KMT1 - BATLEY BOROUGH [INCLUDES BATLEY LOCAL BOARD] 2 - Town Clerk's Department 23 - Legal 6 - Rake Dike Catchment 1 - Rake Dike Catchment - proposals to acquire lands Catalogue finding number KMT1/Box 27/TB 605 Title: Rake Dike Catchment - proposals to acquire lands Description Includes plans, newspaper clippings, outstanding matters relating to waterworks land in the Rake Dike Catchment Area, copy resolutions and correspondence Date 1950 - 1963 Location of archives

KMT1 - BATLEY BOROUGH [INCLUDES BATLEY LOCAL BOARD] 2 - Town Clerk's Department 23 - Legal 6 - Rake Dike Catchment 3 - Rake Dike Catchment Area C.P.O. - Huddersfield Corporation [181.264 acres of land at Holme] Catalogue finding number KMT1/Box 20/TB 971 Title Rake Dike Catchment Area C.P.O. - Huddersfield Corporation [181.264 acres of land at Holme]

Details of Brownhill reservoir etc

FindingNo, Click for catalogue structure KMT1/Box 89/ Title Abstract of title of J.M Spencer Stanhope to freehold land and hereditaments situate at Ramsden Holme sold to the Batley Corporation Description Includes draft contract and correspondence for the land between the parties, draft conveyance of lands in Kirkburton and Almondbury, copy draft deed of covenant and indemnity relating to Alexandra Road, Batley made between The Corporation [1] The Great Northern Railway Company [2] with plan [scale 3ch - 1"] , also correspondence with the railway company regarding Mill Lane Hanging Heaton for liability to repair the road with plan [scale 1/2500] Date 1910 - 1922 Location Kirklees GB 204 AccessStatus Open CatalogueStatus Catalogued Level Item Extent 1 bundle

4 - Arbitration proceedings of J. Wimpenny v Batley Corporation FindingNo, Click for catalogue structure KMT1/Box 50/TB 180 Title Arbitration proceedings of J. Wimpenny v Batley Corporation Description Includes copy reports of analysis of Brownhill waste water channel excavation, statement of facts, statement of Water Engineer and analysis of contractor's costs Date 1950 Location Kirklees GB 204 AccessStatus Open CatalogueStatus Catalogued Level Item Extent 1 bundle

KC00006 - KIDD MELLER AND CO, SOLICITORS, HOLMFIRTH, CLIENTS' RECORDS FindingNo, Click for catalogue structure KC6/2/2 Title Batley Corporation Act Description Includes Haigh to Batley Corporation receipt for way leave given by Mr Haigh for pipes across land at Holme Woods, 1902; O.S 6 " map showing Bilberry reservoir, 1906; letter relating to Batley Corporation diverting water into one of their reservoirs and notice of meeting of millowners and others interested; draft case for opinion of counsel, 1919; correspondence, 1919 - 1921; expenses, 1920 - 1922; correspondence relating to Hurling Gulter Spring, with plan, 1922 - 1929; correspondence relating to diversion of water at Wood Hey Laithe Farm, with plans, 1927 - 1929 Date 1902 - 1929 Location Kirklees GB 204 AccessStatus Open CatalogueStatus Catalogued Level Item Extent 1 bundle

KC00006 - KIDD MELLER AND CO, SOLICITORS, HOLMFIRTH, CLIENTS' RECORDS FindingNo, Click for catalogue structure KC6/2/10 Title Batley Corporation Act Description 'An Act to empower the mayor, alderman & burgess of the Borough of Batley to construct additional waterworks to make further provision in regard to their water, gas & electricity undertaking to make further provision for the improvement, health & good government of the Borough' 6 copies, 3 bound for Holme & Colne Rivers Milllowners Committee Date 1921 Location Kirklees GB 204 AccessStatus Open CatalogueStatus Catalogued Level Item Extent 1 bundle

KC00006 - KIDD MELLER AND CO, SOLICITORS, HOLMFIRTH, CLIENTS' RECORDS

 2 - Holme and Colne River Millowners Committee 
  1 - Batley Corporation Waterworks Act, 1871 
   1 - Batley Corporation Waterworks Act, 1871 

Catalogue finding number KC6/2/1 Title Batley Corporation Waterworks Act, 1871 Description Trustees of George Gartside & Batley Corporation, includes ordnance survey map showing Holme, Austonley, Ramsden, Riding Wood and Yateholm Reservoirs, 1893; copy agreement for payment of expenses of action and division of penalties, 1893; Holme Valley Mill occupiers v Batley Corporation; copy notice of intention to commence action; draft case for opinon of counsel, 1894; copy authority and receipt of executors of William Gledhill & Thomas Brook for proportion of compensation, 1894. Date 1893 - 1894 Location of archives Kirklees GB 204