PARKS, PATHS AND PROFESSIONALS:
EMLEY VILLAGE
by
Chris Knowles
To many outside the West Yorkshire area, the small Kirklees village of Emley will only ring a bell as being home to one of the tallest TV transmitters in the UK. However, Emley Moor’s towering structure is actually very much separated from this serene community of 1,900 locals.
A high proportion of the locals are commuters or professionals due to the ease and access of the M1 motorway, although there are also many retired people in the village who are attracted by the pastoral setting of Emley. Set aside from Emley Moor, the village is surrounded by beautifully picturesque countryside and is peppered with public walks and footpaths which lead into the vast areas of rural land around Emley and Flockton.
Entertainment
It is obvious, then, why the Emley Show is held each year with only a few exceptions (last year’s occasion was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions) with an endeavour to promoting agricultural interests and providing entertainment for audiences young and old. The emphasis is to raise funds and generate money for enterprising businesses or individuals in the area. The next show is scheduled for August 2008 with categories such as show jumping, flower and vegetable competitions, and cookery classes all featuring on the programme of events.
Music
Emley Brass Band provides a very organised and professional platform of music to the region’s weddings, parades and concerts. Their previous success includes being winners at the Brighouse Lions Marching Contest and the Deportment Winners at Scouthead, both coming in the summer of 2006. They are generally perceived as a highly reputable team of musicians and are based at Emley Band Room in the centre of the village.
Sport
Aside from Emley Clarence Cricket Club, the village is home to AFC Emley, a non-league football team who are play in the Northern Counties East League Division One. In January 1998, Emley AFC, as it was once known, competed in the 3rd round of the FA Cup against Premiership giants West Ham United following their shock victory over Lincoln City in the 2nd round. In what was the club’s finest hour, Emley’s Paul David managed to equalise against the East London outfit after they had taken the lead. The game at Upton Park ended 2-1 to the Hammers, with Frank Lampard netting his first FA Cup goal in what was a tricky game for the accomplished Premiership stars.
Industry
Up until the mid-1980s, Emley was considered to be part of a thriving district in the coal mining industry. However, Emley Moor Colliery was eventually closed in 1985 by the Thatcher Government following a year-long strike by the miners in the campaign against continuous job losses. The land is now used as a business park, home to a wide variety of companies ranging from estate agencies to recycling firms. Emley is also considered to be a key area for the local farming community.