End of an Era?
Some very old Penistone traditions have come to an end in recent years. Penistone Sing and 'The Feast' (Marshalls funfair) went after a run but Tuby's Spring and Autumn funfairs have come along to fill the gap. There are rumours every so often that the Sing could make a comeback but it has not happened. Penistone Show never fails to impress although Barnsley council have ambitions to build on our Showground. Penistone Parade and Gala continue to be very popular with a weekend of festivities and entertainment every June.
It was Penistone's turn to host Yorkshire Day in 2006 and it certainly put us on the map - for a short while. Everyone put a great effort into the day and the nobs came here from all over Yorkshire. The Remembrance Day procession and public assembly continues to this day and does not show any signs of diminishing.
A few decades ago, the Whitsuntide walk was a major local event and all the local churches and chapels joined in. The procession went all the way from Penistone to Millhouse Green. It was a great occasion for kids to dress up for and its preparations went on for months in advance. Have a look at some old pictures from 1933 in Thurlstone. Penistone has always had parades for special occasions, such as VE day and various Royal milestones. There was even a cycle parade around 1913 but that is long forgotten now.
Going back even further, Penistone held very popular horse races on the 'Race Common' in Cubley and there were regular cock-fighting matches in Cockpit Lane, near Penistone Church. Post-war, there was reputed to be a circus based somewhere near Tenter Lane.
Penistone Markets
Penistone is a busy place on Thursday market days and monthly Farmers' Markets (2nd Saturday of every month). Market days currently bring a good many visitors and trade to our town. Here are a few pictures from around our market stalls.
Monthly Farmer's Markets: Farmers' Markets are held on the second Saturday of every month. Thurlstone Brass Band launched the first one in April 2003, as in the top row pictures. The fruit and veg stall is there every Saturday, Farmer's Market or not (highly recommended). Middle row pictures are from 2007 and show how busy the agricultural side can be. The retail side was a bit thin that day because of poor weather.
Good quality, local produce can be found at these events, especially meats, bread and cheeses. Try the rye bread from Pott's, a Barnsley bakery. Be warned that any goods without price tags will be more expensive than you thought. Stalls vary from month to month but here are some of them:
Traditional Weekly Markets: The pictures on the bottom row are from our busy Market Day. Remember it well as it will be diminished when the developers conclude their business. Much of this area will be a car park controlled by Tesco and limited to two hours parking (why?). Our historic weekly market will be reduced to a small walled-in square without any room for expansion. Our historic livestock market was killed off in 2003 by Barnsley Council to make way for the development. See the links page for contact details for both markets.
Thursday Produce Sale
A.k.a. 'Penistone Country Market'. Home-made produce, such as jams and marmalades, cakes, etc. Every Thursday 10am - 12 noon in the Community Centre. Refreshments available too. Have a nice cup of tea and a sit down. Used to be just the Women's Institute but now other groups join in.
Weekly Organ Concerts
Paramount organ concerts in Penistone are hugely popular and a great 'selling point' for the town, frequently with every ticket sold out. Coachloads come from far and wide. The car park can quickly fill up and visitors might like to park at the nearby railway station, Community Centre or by the fire station. They won't be able to use the proposed Tesco car park as it will be under their control and limited to 2 hours only. Every Saturday at 2.30pm. Info tel. 07944 566972.
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