ROY CLARKE PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL BARKER Book Review for Summer Wine Online by Patrick Brooke (Published by Bloomsbury Books, London)

Summer Wine Country is a fantastic treasure of superb glossy photos along with interesting little captions which perfectly portray the rugged moors, farmyards, woods, ancient dry stone walls and sombre ever-changing skies of the Holme Valley and surrounding areas. For Valley people – and all who love the local rolling countryside – the book is an absolute must. Accomplished photographer Paul Barker has succeeded in capturing the essential character of the local countryside. Every householder proud to live in the Valley – along with every lover of the West Yorkshire countryside – ought to have this quality book in their collection.

Ideal for a quiet browse in front of the fireside when the Valley weather is beating against the window panes. There are shots of nearby Marsden from Pole Moor, sheep on Scammonden Moor after a hailstorm, and the view from Farnley Tyas looking towards Honley. All breathtakingly beautiful. There is a moody derelict farm near Cartworth Moor, picturesque Holme viewed from Cartworth Moor and an inviting woodland track leading to Hagg Cottage, Oldfield. How I would love to trek along there. We see horses on Cartworth Moor, cows at Woodsome Lees and sheep feeding on a dramatic landscape off Roods Lane, Holmbridge. Little cottages where Valley people reside are also captured. See the tiny homes at Totties, a cat in a window at Netherthong plus charming stone residences at Jackson Bridge. There is Nora Batty’s house at Holmfirth, and colourful washing stretching across Choppards Lane and Lydate, New Mill. Perfectly enchanting and breathtaking all at the same time, you will want your own copy soon.

Although the book was published some years ago, copies may still be obtainable from outlets in Holmfirth and other bookshops. It was being sold recently at a specially reduced price of £4.99 (reduced from £14.99). Good reading!

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