Upperthong
| Upperthong | |
| Yorkshire West Riding | |
|---|---|
 Town Gate, Upperthong | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SE135085 |
| Location: | 53°34’23"N, 1°47’51"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,166 (2001) |
| Post town: | Holmfirth |
| Postcode: | HD9 |
| Dialling code: | 01484 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Kirklees |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Colne Valley |
| Website: | Village website |
Upperthong is a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in the hills approximately 950 feet above sea level. It is near the town of Holmfirth and is likewise in the Holme Valley. It lies some seven miles south of Huddersfield.
It is a village with a church, a primary school, and a setting in glorious countryside.
Name of the village
The name "Upperthong" may is assumed to be derived from Old Norse or Old Danish, perhaps from 'thong', meaning a strip of land. Another suggestion is the Norse word "Thing"; an assembly or court.
On lower ground is another village whose name is of the same theme, namely Netherthong.
Parish church
_2007-03-21.jpg)
The parish church is St John the Evangelist,[1] part of the united benefice of the "Holme Valley churches.
The church is a small one, given the size of the village, but maintains an active part in the worship of the valley.
Sport
Although small, Upperthong manages to support a cricket team in the Huddersfield Central League and a football team, who play in Division 4 of the Huddersfield and District Association League.
Several roads in Upperthong form part of the southern section of National Route 68 of the National Cycle Network[2] - the Pennine Cycleway, the route follows Upperthong Lane from its start in Holmfirth, and continues along Wickins Lane and Wolfstones Road.
Trivia
- Bill Owen, the actor who played Compo in the BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine, is buried at the parish church, St. John's.
- Cashing in on Holmfirth's Last of the Summer Wine fame, Compo's Cafe is a popular fish & chip shop.
- Upperthong also boasts a village hall situated close to the cricket field, used by various clubs and groups in the village.
- The annual Upperthong Gala is held over the last weekend in June, and includes events for all ages, including live music, kids evening and a Sunday fete.
- Upperthong hosts the World Welly Wanging Championships each year at the Village Gala on the last weekend in June.[3]
- Wickens Lane changes its spelling to Wickins Lane half way along its length.
Pictures
-
Part of Upperthong, viewed from Dunsley Bank Road -
National cycle route marker at corner of Upperthong Lane and Broad Lane -
St John's Parish Church, viewed from Dunsley Bank Road
_2007-03-21.jpg){kind=small}
See also
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Upperthong) |
- Official parish council site
- Holme Valley
- Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team
- Upperthong Cricket Club
- Upperthong website
- St John's Parish Church