Why a website for Penistone?
Because I was born here (and still live here) and had the simple idea of bringing cyber-travellers a taste of our small Yorkshire town, with perhaps some nostalgia for the ex-Penistonians who live abroad. I wanted the internet to be like this for me, so that I could visit anywhere in the world and see how other people live. Promotional or tourist websites don't show places as they really are.
Also, and I am not alone in this, I was concerned that Penistone was 'marketed' inappropriately, including the claim that Penistone is the 'Gateway to the Pennines'. As the Irishman said; "If I was going there, I would not start from here". Hence my quip about Penistone as the 'Gateway to Barnsley'. All who I have asked to help have been very supportive of this website. Many Thanks to you all.
How does it fit into the Scheme of things?
When this project started in 2000, there was not much Penistone presence on the internet. Since then, other websites have come along, filled the gaps and now cover all aspects of my home town. You can now find pleasing 360 degree views of Penistone and some very professional pictures on other local websites. See the Penistone links page.
I have given you a Pictorial view and I know that some photos are not good quality but they serve a valid purpose. In fact, they looked much better when it started, when people had lower resolution monitors (and I had poorer eyesight with a cataract).
Several websites have listings of local events. Our biggest event is Penistone Show and it has its own website. The Round Table is involved with most local events, such as Penistone Parade and Gala, and they are on. The local cinema website is now well established. The local council set up a website which is now updated by the local youth club. Our community radio station is hopeful of gaining a permanent licence and has two websites. Local clubs, charities and societies have a web presence, as does the Grammar School and Spring Vale juniors. There are numerous personal and business websites. Nobody wants to be left out these days.
From square one, I have not misrepresented this site as being in any way 'official' or 'definitive'. I will leave that up to others. This has given me freedom to be a bit jokey and unprofessional, in keeping with my own character. I can show rainy days or graffiti or someone waiting at a bus stop, without worrying too much about constraints (other than decency) from elsewhere. I also offered opinions from time to time that do not necessarily with 'official' thinking.
I have expressed fears and worries that I have heard from local people and I have found that I have often been close to the 'pulse' on these matters. As a close-knit community, I get to hear about all sorts of sculduggery behind the scenes and could spill bucketsful of beans, but that is not what I am or this website is about.
I believe in democracy and I hope that I am very democratic and open to criticism. I might disagree but I would defend your right to your point of view. For example, I never liked Penistone's adoption of Well Dressing from Derbyshire and yet I am happy to show you what goes on. I am not funded by anyone else and they don't call the tune.
What's special about Penistone anyway?
In truth, not a great deal compared to some other towns and villages in the area but Penistone goes back a long way and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. There is a Saxon cross in our lovely old church which is more than a thousand years old. We also have a wonderful stone railway viaduct with twenty-eight arches but, most of all, our town has a particular character in its people.
Local government reorganisation in the 1970s put Penistone under the power of Barnsley and they relish this on every occasion. They even call us 'Pennine Barnsley'; a description that I particularly dislike. New street signs in Penistone have Barnsley insignia with miner and glass-blower.
The old days are long gone when troublesome youths would try to wage war between Penistone and Stocksbridge. The lie of the land does not make them our neighbours, unlike Oxspring and Thurlstone. In fact, we do not have much in common with their side of the hill. Mind you, they do have a handy Lidl store and a very good Chinese eatery right next to it.
We are in a special position. Our town is not joined on to any other and we have a special character of our own, which is threatened by constant expansion from profit-driven developers. Penistone is largely a 'dormitory town' for out-of-town employment and many 'comers-in' do not take any interest in their adopted town. Apart from Friday nights, when young 'uns go all-out to get drunk, you will mostly find local people chatting away in the local pubs. Penistone's essential character is still intact. People around here are often quirky and there are some real characters about. I hope to be remembered as one or the other.
The Author
I have impeccable credentials as a true Penistonian, as I was born here, was a pupil of Spring Vale Junior School then Penistone Grammar School. I also survived having the late George Punt as my form teacher. After a spell in Manchester, I returned home and lived here ever since. My father and grandfather's families were from the nearby village of Thurlstone and go back a long way.
Website Updates
You probably found this site through some variation of the town's name ;-) It isn't supposed to be too serious in tone but I try to be accurate. I make changes every couple of weeks or so as I add new bits of info and pictures. The home page shows what has been updated recently to save wasting your time. If you spot errors or omissions, please feel free to visit the guestbook and be as critical as you like. This isn't Steve Wright on Radio two, there's no need to say you 'love the show'.
