Huddersfield Chronicle (07/Feb/1857) - Holmfirth: Holmfirth Flood of 1852

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This page is part of the Holmfirth Flood Project and its content is believed to be in the Public Domain.
The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

HOLMFIRTH.

COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLMFIRTH FLOOD 1852.

The never-to-be-forgotten destruction of the valley of the Holme, which calamitous event occurred during the night of Wednesday, the 4th February, 1852, now five years ago, in consequence of the bursting of the pent-up waters in the Bilberry Reservoir, has been commemorated by special divine services during the present week. On Wednesday evening a service took place at Holmfirth Church. The bells were muffled and sent forth their subdued sound till the hour of service, which was numerously attended. Prayers were read by the Rev. E. Bagott, curate, and the psalms of the day were chanted by the choir. The Rev. J. Haigh, incumbent of St. Paul’s, Huddersfield, preached a soul-stirring discourse from Ecclesiastics 3rd chapter, 20, 21, 22 verses, which was listened to with marked attention by the congregation. The special service at St. John’s, Upperthong, took place the following evening (Thursday). The church was attended by a full congregation. The Rev. W. Flower, incumbent, conducted the service, and the psalms were chanted, and appropriate hymns sung by the choir. The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Hughes, incumbent of Meltham, from Matthew 24th chap, and part of the 39th verse. The discourse was most appropriate to the occasion, the rev. gentleman dwelling at great length on the deluge, and referred in a clear and lucid manner to the calamity which they were commemorating.