go holmfirth winter 20112012

Holmfirth Live magazine Issue 1 - August/September 2011

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2 News & listings e: [email protected] t: 01484 818957

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Go Holmfirth Magazine Issue 1 - Winter 2011/2012

Welcome To this, the first issue of go Holmfirth magazine - bringing together the best of Holmfirth Live & Holmfirth Food & Drink for every one going out in the Holmfirth area.

As well as all the information, news and reviews, from the live and the food and drink scenes we'll be able to bring you extra features and tips on all aspects of being out and about in and around Holmfirth.

we'll let you know what's going on - with 9 issues a year.

Our contact details are below. Please keep us up to date with your news – our next issue is planned for distribution in February. Thanks for reading, and for your support.

Contents4 The Interview:Jonny Holmes, new landlord at Brambles, opens up.

6 & 7 The Review: Winter SpiceWe try out three of Holmfirth's best Curry Houses

8 The Place: Les CaveauxWe drop into the newly refurbished Holmfirth landmark and talk to the man who has taken over, Tom Binns

10 & 11 The ListWhat's happening over the festive season.

12 A Cinderella StoryFar Out Theatre Company return to The Picturedrome with their new pantomime.

14 Open Mic ScenePerform, listen, enjoy live music

15 Switched OnWe were there as Christmas lit up Holmfirth town centre.

16 & 17 The Charity TrailHow to feel good about Christmas Shopping – or find a new home for those not-quite-perfect gifts

18 Competition Another chance plus an extra prize - meals from the Massala Lounge.

(Previous competition results page 14)


go Holmfirth Magazine Winter 2011/2012 - online at www.goholmfirth.co.uk

News & Reviews to [email protected], 01484 818957

Advertising & Distribution enquiries to [email protected], 01484 818963

go Holmfirth Magazine is published by MHPAD – www.mhpad.co.uk

Copyright © the contributors, advertisers and publishers 2011

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BRAMBLES PIEFollowing the opening of 'Brambles' in the centre of Holmfirth we had a chat with Jonny Holmes, who has taken on the project with partner Shell, to find out how helping an old friend has led to him bringing something new and unique to the town centre.

“We have been open for just six days but already Brambles is proving popular.

“We have had a lot of people coming in for a look and a quick pint. Some have been in every day at some point, whether it's for coffee in the morning, to eat at tea time or for a few beers at night. Some people are even making it their local already.”

Both Jonny and Shell have been involved in local pubs, starting off at the Rat and Ratchet in Huddersfield. Their latest venture was all down to an old friend that Jonny has known since they were five years old, Brambles owner Gary Smith.

“One day I got a call from Gary, he said 'I need some advice... I've bought a pub'

“He wanted a pub that does real ale properly. Our forte is real ale and imported lagers. I have two pubs in the Huddersfield area at the moment that are in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.”

In adding a third they spent three and a half months transforming the building that was the White Hart into a modern looking caf -ébar, with a full menu and a large selection of local real ales and imported lagers.“The house beers are locally brewed at Empire Brewery at Slaithwaite, Brambles

Best Bitter and Dark Mild. The Valley Gold Pure North Cider is brewed at Deanhouse. Everything else is from local microbreweries.

We are going further afield, too, over the next couple of months. I have a lot this week coming from Nottingham and the West Midlands, which some say is technically the best brewing area going. Of course it isn't, Yorkshire is.”

With the drinks sorted and the interior getting an intensive up-to-date makeover, including d cor bought locallyé from Thongsbridge, Jonny and Shell knew they needed to get great food, and recruited some local chefs to run the kitchen.

“Andy, Chris and Adam are turning out fantastic food, gourmet style food

at pub prices.

“They came up with the menu themselves, but I made sure they had a Steak and Brambles Mild Pie. We also have some Cherry Beer that they are going to try and incorporate.”

It's the small touches that makes Brambles stand out amongst Holmfirth's bars and eateries.

“We have free wi-fi. People can come in and charge their laptops. When we were doing the refurbishment we went into a few places for business meetings, asked if we could charge the laptops and we were told no. So we have incorporated that to make it a business friendly environment.”

They have made full use of the space available in the building, converting the upstairs area into a function room that can hold 100 people. They have many functions booked, and are planning their own events.


The Interview: Jonny Holmes, new landlord at Brambles, opens up.


WINTER SPICE:Everyone likes a good curry, and in Holmfirth we are spoilt for choice. At Go Holmfirth we decided to forget about a takeaway and instead go out together to try three of the valley's top curry houses.

Flouch Balti House leads a double life. Located upstairs from Y-bar, during quieter periods you get a professionally prepared and presented meal that tastes absolutely delicious. When it gets busier, however, you get the same great food but with an electric atmosphere that sets you up perfectly for an evening out.

Being a Balti House, they not only have a great selection of Balti dishes to choose from, but even allow you to add in extras to make your own unique blend. We decided to trust the chef with some of his own special dishes, however, and were not disappointed.

My personal favourite was the Passanda, a medium creamy curry with almonds, sultanas and coconuts that seemed to be perfectly blended with flavours that combined perfectly. For some of our party the peshwari nan was a highlight, with a more complex sweetness than you would find in many restaurants.

The low lighting does provide a more relaxed ambiance but there is nothing laid back about the service, which was subtle yet professional throughout our meal.

The Massala Lounge has a high vantage point overlooking the town centre, which is great if you're a people watcher. Once at your table, though, you are in your own intimate space and, if this is your first visit, about to embark on a culinary experience.

The Massala Lounge has Bangladeshi cuisine at its heart, and you will probably find many dishes here that you haven't come across before. There are unique combinations of flavours that reflect a 'fine dining' experience. One of our dishes was served with spinach that had been superbly and subtly flavoured with a combination of herbs and spices. I've never been a huge fan of spinach, but one taste and I was converted.

'That's different' was the theme of the entire meal, and a visit here is a must if you want to explore new combinations of flavour. Some of the dishes are intense, like experiencing real dark chocolate for the first time. Others are spicy but with a certain sweetness that is outside your normal expectation. You could order a Dhansak, for example, but exploring the specialities can take you to tastes that are both challenging and thrilling, and ultimately delicious.

The Massala lounge can take you on a different journey to many standard Asian restaurants. You may not find absolutely everything exactly to your taste, but you will certainly find something that makes you realise that you have now started a journey of hugely rewarding discovery.

Want to try it yourself? Why not enter our competition on page 18 of this magazine.


The Review: Winter Spice, we try three of Holmfirth's top curry houses



The Raaj of India has a menu with unique items that seem to say 'try me'. For our meal we chose to go with some more standard dishes but also decided to experiment a little, getting Lemon Rice and a Duckling Balti, a meat not seen in too many other curry houses in Holmfirth.

The Balti turned out to be delicious, although in taste there was only a subtle difference to set it apart from most other meats. The lemon rice, however, wasn't for me. It is perhaps a matter of personal taste because it soon disappeared on to the plates of others in our party. I found this more than

made up for though by the delicious breads that were on offer. The Kulcha (Naan stuffed with Cheese and Onion) was subtle yet tasty, but the Keema Paratha was outstanding.

The place itself has a definite Indian feel to it, with Tigers and Elephants wherever you look. Space is at a premium, so on a busy night you may want to get there early to get seated before the crowds arrive.

If you want to try the Raaj of India out, you may also want to consider coming along on Happy Night. Although I am sure you will be happy with your choice any day of the week, on a Thursday or Sunday you can opt to choose five courses from a limited menu at just £9 per person with younger members of the family (Under 16) getting the same for just £6.

We hope that you enjoy exploring all of these restaurants as much as we did.



LES CAVEAUX NOUVEAUIn May, Tom Binns took over the running ofLes Caveaux. At 23, and assisted by a 19 year-old Head Chef, he is representing the next generation of restaurant owners. We caught up with Tom to find out how it started and what is coming next.“I think the previous owners had exhausted themselves. They had been there a long long time and had almost got bored with it. It needed some love and attention and bringing back to life again. Since we took over it has been evolving week on week.

“I'm not from a restaurant background at all but I have got a bit of a business brain and I like a challenge. I was in a comfortable job before, but it didn't suit me perfectly. I felt that this would bring more out of me as a person. I have learnt thousands of things and I am still learning every single day.”

Despite bringing fresh ideas and some new staff, Tom decided he would keep the name and the tapas food that the restaurant was famous for.

“There is a fantastic reputation that follows with Les Caveaux. The name is very well known for a good standard of Tapas food, and people know the name and come to visit the name. Meaning 'the cave' it also matches with the cellar bar. Although the name is French, and tapas is Spanish it seemed silly to change something that seemed to work.”

Tom then found 19 year old Sean Creamer and entrusted him with the keys to the kitchen.

“Our head chef has an amazing amount of talent for such a young man. His food is fantastic. He has ownership over his menu, it's very Mediterranean/Spanish tapas. When we first took over the menu was huge, which didn't give a chance to perfect each dish. He now has a few less dishes but the quality is much better. There is some really top quality food coming out of the kitchen these days, yet there is still something for everyone on the menu.”

Les Caveaux has also been completely redecorated in the last couple of months.

“We had to rip the kitchen out, literally back to the bare walls, and start again. The restaurant itself also needed a lot of work.

“Now it has been redecorated the place looks as good as it has done for a long long time. It had felt like we were working in somebody else's restaurant. Now it feels like ours.”

“We are also planning events and live music. We have a comedy night with Northern comedian Venn Tracey coming up in December. Without even marketing it we have already sold out.

Those interested can keep up to date with upcoming events by visiting the restaurant's new website, as well as through Facebook and Twitter.


The Place: We drop in at Les Caveaux in Holmfirth




The fd directory: Eating out, your choices at a glance


The List Is Sponsored By:

DECEMBER 2011

Thursday 1st DecemberVenn Tracey – Comedian (Sold Out)Les Caveaux, Holmfirth. Folk NightThe Rock, Brockholes.

Friday 2nd DecemberUriah Heep and Aireya 51Picturedrome, Holmfirth. £20.www.picturedrome.net

Saturday 3rd DecemberHonley Ladies ChoirHonley Christmas Street Fair. 2 pm. Free.Joe GallagherThe Golden Cock, Farnley Tyas. 9:30 pmwww.thegoldencock.co.ukThe South (Sold Out)Picturedrome, Holmfirth.www.picturedrome.net

Sunday 4th DecemberHonley Ladies Choir

Taylors Food Store, Honley. 10 am.Charity Open Day.New Orleans WiggleOld Bridge Hotel, Holmfirth. 8 pm. £4.New Orleans style Jazz Band.The SouthPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £20.www.picturedrome.net.

Tuesday 6th DecemberFestive TalesHolmfirth Library. 7 pm. Free.Poetry, stories, music and photography.Book in advance.

Thursday 8th DecemberHonley Ladies Choir with Bandwagon Barbershop QuartetSt. Paul's Church, Armitage Bridge. 7:30 pm. £8, £6 (conc.) Christmas Concert including refreshments.www.honleyladies.co.ukJust Jazz at the Box Office BarPicturedrome, Holmfirth. Free.www.picturedrome.net

Friday 9th DecemberTake That Two plus RobbiePicturedrome, Holmfirth. £10.www.picturedrome.net

Saturday 10th DecemberBuzzcocksPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £18.www.picturedrome.netHarry RowlandThe Nook, Holmfirth. 8:30 pm.Holmfirth Choral SocietyCivic Hall, Holmfirth. 7:15 pm. £8.St. Paul (Mendelssohn)

Sunday 11th DecemberHolmfirth Film Festival presents: Iron GiantPicturedrome, Holmfirth. 2 pm. £1.www.picturedrome.netHolmfirth Film Festival presents: PotichePicturedrome, Holmfirth. 7:30 pm. £1.www.picturedrome.net

Tuesday 13th DecemberOpen MicFarmers Arms, Burnlee. 9:30 pm.www.farmersarms,webeden.co.uk

Wednesday 14th DecemberHonley Does Christmas 1Honley High School. 7:00 pm.£6, £5 (conc.), £3 (under 16), £15 (family)www.honleyladies.co.uk


The List: What's On over the festive season



Thursday 15th DecemberOpen Mic NightThe Rock, Brockholes. Honley Does Christmas 2Honley High School 7:15 pm.£6, £5 (conc.), £3 (under 16), £15 (family)www.honleyladies.co.uk

Friday 16th DecemberSeth LakemanPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £18.www.picturedrome.net

Saturday 17th DecemberBlast from the Past – The Victorian ChristmasHepworth Village Hall. 8pm. £10.Authentic Period Entertainment.www.hepworthlive.comJ B Goode The Nook, Holmfirth. 9 pm. Free.Authentic Rock n Roll. T-Rexmas with T Rextasy and DJ X.MasPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £12.www.picturedrome.net

Tuesday 20th DecemberCarols by Candlelight with Holme Valley ChoirFarmers Arms, Burnlee. 7:00 pm.www.farmersarms,webeden.co.uk

Wednesday 21st DecemberRoy Woods Rock n Roll Christmas ShowPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £20.www.picturedrome.net

Saturday 24th DecemberIn EchoesThe Golden Cock, Farnley Tyas. 9pm.www.thegoldencock.co.ukThe CheatlesPicturedrome, Holmfirth. £10.www.picturedrome.netUncle Ken's DiscoRose & Crown, Thurstonland.www.therosethurstonland.co.uk

Saturday 31st DecemberNew Year's Eve Rock Party with LivewirePicturedrome, Holmfirth. 8pm. £20.www.picturedrome.netWe Steal FlyersRose & Crown, Thurstonland. 9:30 pm.www.therosethurstonland.co.ukMark Sings SwingFarmers Arms, Burnlee. 9:30 pm.www.farmersarms,webeden.co.uk

PANTOMIME SEASON

Cinderella – Far Out TheatreWed 24th December: 10:30 am, 2:30 & 7:30 pm.Thu 15th December: 10:30 am, 2:30 pm. 7:30 pm.Sun 18th December: 10:30 am, 2:30 pm. 7:30 pm.Tue 20th December: 7:30 pm.Thu 22nd December: 7:30 pm.Fri 23rd December: 7:30 pm.Sat 24th December: 10:30 am. (Sold Out)Tue 27th December: 2:30pm, 7:30 pm.Wed 28th December: 2:30pm, 7:30 pm.Thu 29th December: 2:30pm, 7:30 pm.Mon 2nd January: 2:30pm, 7:30 pm.Picturedrome, Holmfirth. £10, £8 (conc.), £30 (family), £7.50 / person (10+ group).www.picturedrome.net

The Snow QueenWed 25th January: 7:15 pm.Thu 26th January: 7:15 pm.Fri 27th January: 7:15 pm.Sat 28th January: 2 pm, 6:00 pm.Civic Hall, Holmfirth. £6, £4 (children).Tickets available at Tourist Information.



CINDERELLAIt's Panto season, and this December Far Out Theatre are returning to Holmfirth to put on a production of Cinderella at The Picturedrome.

The company was last at the Holmfirth Picturedrome during the Summer for a one weekend performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. However, this time it's full on pantomime, something for which the company has developed a very good reputation.

Artistic Director, Suzy Dix, said: “Since 2005 we've been producing an annual pantomime. Whilst we initially never envisioned ourselves doing panto we now adore putting a panto together and it's definitely our best-loved production of the year amongst our actors.”

In previous years, the company have staged lesser performed pantomimes, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Treasure Island and The Pied Piper of Hamlin. However, this year they have decided to take on something more widely known in Cinderella.

“I personally recall our first ever panto very well. The show was Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves and I remember that one night we had about 12 people in the audience; at the time I was amazed that 12 people had actually paid to see our show. However, our seventh show, Mother Goose, was almost at full capacity every night.”

Although they have been performing Pantomimes for the last seven years, this is

the first time the South Yorkshire community theatre company has brought their seasonal

fun to a stage in Holmfirth, so what can we expect?

“Our pantomimes have gained a reputation for being very anarchic and a bit rock n roll! We try to keep things as up-to-date as possible, using topical references and super modern songs, often with a rock music edge.”

Cinderella is being performed at the Holmfirth Picturedrome at dates between December 14th and January 2nd .Tickets are £10 (£8 conc.) and the performance is suitable for all the family.

Midsummer MemoriesWhen Far Out Theatre brought A Midsummer Nights Dream to the Picturedrome, they demonstrated that Shakespeare could be one funny guy. Whilst staged in 60s dress and using 60s music, the company stuck with Shakespeare's original text. Yet, with the power of their performance the words and the classic comedy made perfect, hilarious sense to a contemporary audience.

We took a couple of teenagers along and, to be honest, they didn't really relish the prospect of Shakespeare as a night out. By the end they both couldn't stop laughing, and neither could anyone else. The production made great use of the Picturedrome's distinctive layout and delivered a masterclass in comedy.

This December, Cinderella isn't the only one who will want to go to the ball. Even if this latest endeavour is only half as good as A Midsummer Night's Dream, then it will be a fun trip out for the entire family.


A Cinderella Story: We preview Far Out's pantomime at The Picturedrome


The Farmers Arms at Liphill Bank, Burnlee and The Rock Inn at Brockholes are both relatively new additions to the open mic scene in the area, with The Farmers being the slightly older of the two.

The Farmers runs on the second Tuesday of every month from 8.30 pm, and The Rock runs every 4 weeks on a Thursday, again starting at 8.30 pm. The Rock also has a monthly Thursday folk night that runs on alternate fortnights, so there is something on at The Rock every other Thursday.

This month both The Farmers and The Rock had a bit more time to offer each of the performers, creating laid back evenings where all the musicians could perform a few extra numbers each. Not only that, but Thelma, who runs proceedings at The Rock, turned up for a busman's holiday at The Farmers and Keith, who runs things there, reciprocated with a visit to Rock. Keith writes from The Farmers night:

“I kicked off with a couple of bouncy numbers from Willie Nelson and John Denver. Andy Valentine followed on with three traditional folk songs, accompanied by Linda on the Bohdran. Thelma (who runs the Rock event) sang next, with two very nice accapella songs. Then it was the turn of new face Jonathon, who sang Pink Floyd. Steve Harrop followed on with some very nice slide guitar and blues songs (accompanied by myself on Bass).

“Then it was round again with more or less the same order of singers. I did one of my silly songs, this time from Flanders and Swann. Andy accompanied himself on melodeon next, followed by a folk tune medley along with Neil (another new face, well known on the folk circuit). Steve finished off the night with a rock and roll set to get everyone clapping.”

Thelma also reported from The Rock:

“The evening went well with a mixture of individual contributions of songs, several of them self-penned, as well as covers of well-known numbers, instrumentals and poetry, ending in a general session, when everyone sang and/or played together. Most enjoyable and worth the effort that goes into getting an open mic up and running.”

These two regular nights are well worth a visit, whether you fancy having a go at performing or have just gone along to listen.


Open Mic Scene: This time we hear from The Farmers and The Rock

Competition ResultsIn Issue 1 of Holmfirth Live we had a competition to win one of five £10 Gift Vouchers for Musical Notes of Holmfirth. A fully strung standard acoustic guitar has six strings, of course. The following five people were drawn from the hat and have collected a gift voucher:

Barbara Newman from HolmbridgeMargaret Platt from Holmbridge (donated to Hinchcliffe Mill School)Rob Savin from BurnleeMeirion Tanner from HolmfirthMegan Wynn from Wooldale

In Issue 1 of Holmfirth Food & Drink our competition was for one of five £10 gift vouchers for Holmfirth Fresh Fish. A Whale is not a fish, and the following five people were drawn from the hat and have collected a gift voucher:

Clare Christian from NetherthongDarren Hargreaves from BrockholesA S from WooldaleValerie Barnes from BrockholesJane Woodage from Honley



THE BIG SWITCH ON This year Holmfirth's Christmas Lights were switched on by the Snow Queen, villain in the pantomime of the same name, being performed at the Holmfirth Civic Hall in January.

J.W. Kaye Ironmongers was awarded a shield for this year's best window display.



CHARITY SHOP TRAILFinding those bargains and second hand gems has never been easier with a new map, showing the locations of all the Charity Shops in Holmfirth.

With more and more big stores popping up away from town centres, good charity shops are becoming vital in keeping the heart of a community vibrant.

“The map does seem to be working.” says Lindsey Devons, Manager at the Debra shop and trail blazer for the new map.

“One of the first things many people are asking about when they get off the tour bus are where the charity shops are.”

The map is being distributed in all the shops

and the Tourist Information Office, allowing shoppers to walk the route and find something that they would like.

“It's recycling at its very best. We make all this money each week and it's all because people take the time to sort through their stuff and donate what they no longer use.”

With Christmas coming up, the shops are busier than ever, with many festive items available.

“We have a lot of last year's decorations. We start getting them in January and they just keep building up.

“Christmas cards are also popular. My advice would be to get your charity Christmas cards from a charity shop, that way you know for sure that one hundred per cent of the money is going to charity.”



EXTENDEDCOMPETITION :

MEAL FOR 4 + MEAL FOR 2AT THE MASSALA LOUNGEOur apologies to those who missed entering the last fd Massala Lounge competition because the closing date was printed incorrectly. Thankfully the Massala Lounge has come to the rescue by offering an additional prize of a meal for 2 voucher, so you now have 2 chances of winning.

All previous entries will be entered into the new draw, so if you have already sent your entry in you don't need to enter again.

In the meantime the Massala Lounge has again been busy helping out local charities, and have been giving some of their great food away to support the new Oxfam Books and Music shop in Holmfirth.

During the Food & Drink festival the team were in early each morning to provide freshly cooked bhajis and samosas, helping Oxfam to draw people's attention to their Gift Aid programme for donations of items to sell in the shop. Shop manager, Mark Harrison, said, “Gift Aid can allow us to get an extra 25% on sales of donated goods back from the 'tax man'. People were tempted by the tasty food provided by the Massala Lounge into finding out more about Gift Aid, and we

estimate that an additional £1,500 will be raised from extra sign-ups on those 2 days alone.”

Anwar Ali of the Massala Lounge was delighted with the outcome. “It was worth the early starts after the late nights”, he said. “I have since learned that there are a number of Oxfam projects running in Bangladesh. It's great to think that our food has helped to raise money for essential work in the country where our cuisine is rooted. There's a saying 'think globally, act locally...' - something like this makes you realise just what it can mean.”

You can call the Massala Lounge for details of Christmas and New Year offers, including their special Christmas Day Lunch.

And what do we think of the food at The Massala Lounge? Check out our review in this issue.


Win Massala MealsThe Massala Lounge is offering £50 against the cost of a meal for 4 and £25 against a

meal for 2 in their restaurant to 2 readers who can correctly answer the following question:Most of Massala Lounge's food is of what

national origin? Choose your answer from the following options:

a) Irish b) Bangladeshi c) German

To enter, email your answer a), b) or c) to [email protected],

or drop your written answer into The Massala Lounge during opening hours.

All entries must include your name, address and a contact telephone number. Entrants must reside in the HD9 postcode area and only one entry is

permitted per household.

The 2 winning entries will be drawn at random from all correct entries received by midnight on

31 December 2011.

The competition is judged by representatives of Go Holmfirth and The Massala Lounge. Their decision is final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.

There is no cash equivalent offered for the prizes, no change will be given. Mark your entry 'no further contact' if you do not wish to receive information in the future from Go Holmfirth or The Massala Lounge . Your details won't be released to any third party under any circumstances.


go holmfirth winter 20112012

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