How hardy Bradford villagers battled through harsh winters

In my lifetime I’ve known the village endured several spells when it’s been cut off on all sides, even if only for a day or so. Whenever there is an Arctic blast, both ends of Denholme’s main highway along with the stark upper Long Causeway can easily succumb to a wave of snowdrifts. The worst winter I recall was 1963, though my father would say 1947, and my grandad 1933. Actually, I have a 1947 image in my Denholme photographs archive of a wagon marooned at the same spot as the West Yorkshire bus in 1963 so we are able to compare the scene.

A scene from 1963, captured by the late Donald Holdsworth

The village in the grip of winter

Snow and wind together can cause severe problems

For the flock, the former St Paul’s Church which overlooks the village could be a tricky place to reach in wintertime, though the weather rarely stopped the faithful from attending. Now also in private hands the 1850s former Church School building opposite was once a hive of activity. A base for the Scouts, a function hall for funeral receptions, Sunday school classes, clerical meetings, dances, jumble sales, and a warm retreat for the elderly at the church bonfire, the building is most famously remembered among the Denholme elderly for the February Tea.

The ‘Do’ organized by Church officials and members of the congregation used to take place at Shrovetide and was a knife and fork affair followed by a concert provided by The St Paul’s Players. For many villagers it was the event of the year - indeed I have heard folks say, “In’t snow, ‘ave known us walk up on’t wall tops to get t’ February Tea!” Apparently, the tea was so successful they had to serve it in two sittings!

St Paul's Church looking magnificent in the snow

The 1933 St Paul's Players

A Keighley-bound bus near Ogden Lane on t'end of Denholme, 2013

Owing to heavy snow in 1933, the Tea had to be put off for a time and although the roads were not much better on the rearranged date, there were plenty made it to the proverbial feast. For those that braved it, it was laughter all round when the curtains drew back for the concert to begin, for afore them was a stage bedecked with a snowcapped mountainous landscape ready for the players to present their comedy sketch 'Love in the Alps.' In 1979 - 46 years on, Gladys Horsman who played a part in that concert sent the following letter to the T&A. 'We had to put off the play until a later date. We were fastened up for a week. The men had to get pickaxes to get the ice off the roads and the first thing that got through was a brewery wagon. The women went mad because they were expecting a bread van!'

The letter along with a myriad of other stories feature in my book ‘Denholme, the Village, the People and the Minster in the hills’, which I self-published in 2011. Along with many photographs - including several of the late Donald Holdsworth’s wonderful images - the book is a potted history of the parish church and its bond with the community throughout its lifetime. From its consecration in 1846 to the final farewell service in the new churchyard in 1999, the book records the story, and ultimately, to its loveless state of abandonment in 2011.

Some 250 copies were originally printed which soon sold; however, it just so happens - after a bit of badgering, a reprint of 30 books are in the last throes of production. As I don’t use Facebook, I would like to thank Judith Drake (the Denholme Shared Church Secretary) for putting out the message.

Though the reissue is already spoken for, the hard work is done. So if there is further interest an additional batch can be easily instigated and in due course, profits donated to the Denholme Shared Church.

The book costs £15 or £20 including UK delivery. terrymhanson@hotmail.com

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