Hepworth is one of those large villages that nestle in the valleys between the large conurbations of West Yorkshire. To be honest apart from the views and the pubs little would draw all but the curious casual visitor. However, on the evening of the last Monday of June it comes alive with its annual Hepworth Feast
A moveable feast
The feast is said to commemorate the village’s escape from the 1665 Great plague of Hepworth. Local tradition tells that a cloth was sent from London arrived at the home of a family called the Beevers at Foster Place in the village. Local tradition states that the maid who opened the package was the first victim and to prevent the spread the villagers established at Barracks Fold, a barricade across the lane. However, although thirteen people died, the majority survived as a such when the plague had run its course, a celebration was established.
However, there is some doubt over whether the feast was established then or revived then. The date is significant, being near the 24th June, St John’s or Midsummer’s Eve, a popular time for such feasting and often thought to have a pagan origin. This was certainly the view of the Rev J. D. M Jones in his 1980 History of Hepwoth. This is a view in the village as well and it is also possible that it was a revived custom after the Commonwealth dissolved and the monarchy restored. Indeed such feasts were common as indicated by this account in the 2nd July 1934:
“Penistone Feast: Open-Air Festival for Hospitals. The Penistone Feast, a survival of ancient times, and always held during the week-end following 24 June each year, is in full swing. It started on Saturday, and summer-like weather prevailing, a huge crowd assembled in the Recreation Ground, where the pleasure fair, with its many attractions, was crowded until midnight. Yesterday afternoon, the 49th annual open-air musical festival was held in a field adjoining the Feast ground, the proceeds being for the hospitals and kindred institutions.The chorus of 90 members occupied a raised platform and an orchestra of 20 persons were in front. The singing of the special hymns and choruses from the “Messiah” and the “Creation” was creditably done under the conductorship of Mr. A.W. Jagger. The Denby Silver Band, under the conductorship of Mr. W. Kaye, and the Hepworth Iron Works Brass Band, conducted by Mr. Ernest Kaye, each played a selection, and massed for the playing of a march, conducted by Mr. Ernest Kaye.”
One might also add that the nature of the custom a perambulation of the main parts of the town also suggests it could be modified beating of the bounds or rogation custom.
Feast or famine
Thus, indicating that such Feasts at this time were widespread locally but have now died out. Indeed, the Hepworth Feast nearly died out in the 1940s. Julia Smith in her 1986 Fairs, feasts and frolics states that a Mr John Smith said that attendance at meetings had dwindled to only one or two and he had threatened them by saying ‘Are you going to have a feast or not?’ The general consensus being to keep it and a committee was established, John Smith was elected as secretary and his wife did the food. One of the reasons why it may have died out is its association with drunkeness and trouble as emphasised by this case:
“The parties are both young men, and appear to have had a quarrel between them for a long time. On the 30th June, which was Hepworth Feast Monday… Kaye hit Whitehead on the head with both fists as hard as he could. Whitehead held his head down then, and Kaye deliberately kicked him in the eye with his boot. The kick had an upward tendency, and it cut his eyelid severely…”
Now the Hepworth Feast Committee made it more family oriented with the main street having stalls for children races and other entertainments such as Punch and Judy, coconut-shies and magicians acts. An account on the 3th July 1858 in the Huddersfield Chronicle reports a scene not dissimilar to what one sees today:
“Hepworth Feast was celebrated last Monday. The village presented a very animated appearance, as the day was observed as a general holiday. The procession of the children, accompanied by teachers and friends, paraded the district in the afternoon, headed by the ‘Temperance Brass Band A selection of hymns were sung by the children at the several villages they visited. On returning to the school, the usual good things were awaiting them; and the entertainments in the evening were added to by the performance of music by the band.”
Feast for the eyes
Today the band is Hepworth Brass Band has been a part of this since its formation in 1882. The bands long history puts it amongst the oldest brass bands in the country. There is only one other school that at Scholes which is visited. The Feast begins with a procession behind the Hepworth banner from the local primary school uphill, downhill, uphill and around…it’s a cruelling procession perhaps the most arduous I have ever seen a brass band do! At regular spots en route the procession would stop, the vicar with his portable speaker and microphone would call out a number and hold it up. This would refer to a number of nationally well-known and locally well-known hymns which would be powerfully song at different locations. And despite the long route and nature the singing was impassioned and popular; especially at the pubs where they could rest longer and recharge.
Smith neatly sums up the sentiment and importance of the custom:
“The sound of the approaching band and people gathering outside the Butcher’s Arms heralds the highlight of the feast, the united sing….In his short address the Rev J D. M Jones referred to the feast as an expression of the sense of community in the village. Mr Smith, the feast secretary echoed these sentiments, as he told me how people who left the village returned annually fpr the feast; there were people here today from as far away as Bournemouth.”
The joy of the children who had followed the procession’s long route with little complaint were finally at the end rewarded with their portable feast in a brown paper bag was evident and gladly grabbed hold of it; as was the adults had theirs in the Village Hall. It was clear that the Feast is still a big day in the village and shows little sign of disappearing soon.