Huddersfield

Huddersfield Station. Grade 1 listed. Described by John Betjeman as 'the most splendid station facade in England' second only to St Pancras, London.

Huddersfield eh?

As you're probably aware, we're from Huddersfield.

As you're probably aware, most people from Huddersfield like you to know that they're from there as well.

I think Yorkshire folk like to tell everybody where they're from as soon as they leave the Yorkshire boundaries, we're just that way out.

Anyway, the reason I mention it is because of a magnificent programme that was broadcast on Tuesday, on BBC2 called 'Town'. You guessed correctly, it was about Huddersfield, its history, its legacy, and hopefully, its bright future.

It detailed its humble beginnings, its key role in the Industrial Revolution, its notoriety due to the Luddites (stating that in 1812 there were more troops in Huddersfield than Wellington had in Spain, to quell the uprising).

It regaled in the fact that some of the finest cloth in the world was made in Huddersfield (and still is).

More rebellious traits were detailed in the formation of Rugby League in Huddersfield in 1895 as well.

There are a whole host of other interesting facts relayed in the episode as well, a fine portrayal of a fine town.

The 'hidden gem' of Yorkshire, as us folk from Huddersfield already know, was shown in a new light to many on this show and I heartily recommend you watch it (on iPlayer of course).

We can all witter on about certain aspects of any town or city and focus on the negative elements of the place, but to be honest, these things exist everywhere and it's rather petty to highlight them.

Why not revel in the glorious events and history that makes the place you live in the place it is? makes you the person you are today, whether you like it or not, the history of your home has an impact on you in more ways than you'd care to give credit for.

It reminded me of a tale about the Beatles and their visit to Huddersfield, late in 1963.

A local photographer had gone down to take snaps of them at the ABC (which is where the Sainsbury's now resides in the town centre). He caught them carrying their equipment on stage early in the afternoon so they could practise a new song they'd written called 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', which they had decided would be performed publicly for the first time that night in Huddersfield.

It went on to become one of their greatest selling singles of all time, you may have heard it?

Well, hope you're enjoying this lovely weather we've been having, the snow seems long gone now (did I speak too soon)? Ha!

We've got a busy schedule mid June, 4 gigs in one week (like buses for us they are), there's a music train in there so get along and have a few beers on the train on a trip over the Penistone line, it's usually a lovely ride in the summer when the sun's still out, the beer's on draught and a bunch of blokes are trying hard to stand up and play songs.