JOIN THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY 

It goes without saying that the main event of the evening was the presentation to the "stars of the show" the superb cast of Last of the Summer Wine. 

One by one, they were called up to receive their special accolades from the Mayor of Kirklees. The awards included engraved cut-glass rose bowl and limited-edition Summer Wine paperweights, which had been specially commissioned by Holme Valley Business Association. The design for the paperweight was by Area5 News and PR, the people behind the Summer Wine website, who also produced and printed the full-colour menus, which were highly sought after as souvenirs! 

First to be called up to the front was the famous writer Roy Clarke who recalled one of his first "fact-finding" visits to Holmfirth in the early 1970s to see how suitable it would be for the location for the new series. He told the packed room: "We called to see the then Vicar of Holmfirth who had written a book on the History of the Holme Valley, whose study was full of them. The first thing he did was sell us each a copy of his book!"

"I remember thinking if the Vicar is as swift as this, what the heck are the rest of them in Holmfirth going to be like!?"

Next was Ronnie Hazlehurst the musician who composed the famous theme music. He said how much he had enjoyed meeting fans and signing autographs - though preferred to stay in the background! 










Producer Alan Bell summed up the evening by paying tribute to the “real stars of Summer Wine” – the fans themselves.  “It has been so nice to come to this evening in Holmfirth to meet so many fans of the programme.  People keep asking how long can the series continue?  Well that’s down to the many people who keep watching us.  Because when they stop, then we stop, its as simple as that.

"The idea to hold the evening came from the people of Holmfirth and I am personally very touched that they wanted to do it. Thank you so very much."

There were memories of Compo, Bill Owen, when his son Tom talked about the 25th anniversary celebration in Holmfirth, just five years ago. "Five years ago my dad was here. And he would be so pleased to know that we are here again. I thank you all very much indeed.

"I like to think I am carrying on the position that dad had for 27 years. I feel very proud to be here."

Actor Robert Fyfe, who plays Howard, made some reference to a possible secret liaison with a special friend when he came up to receive his award. However, Pearl, who was next up, said she would see Howard when he got home! 


Ken Kitson, who plays the Bobby in Summer Wine, asked if there were any policemen in the audience. "I have been playing the role of the bobby so long I want to ask about a police pension!"

Unfortunately, actress Kathy Staff (Nora of course!) had to leave early before the presentations. But she told Summer Wine Online: "I was only out of Summer Wine for a year while I was doing Crossroads (ITV soap) but its lovely to be back. I just got straight back into it.  

"The characters are beautifully written by Roy Clarke and it is as if Nora has always been there."