Why a website for Penistone?
When the internet first arrived, we all had Geocities pages. Most people had an interest or a hobby that they wanted to share with the world and assumed that the world wanted to share. Some had pictures of their cat, others their taste in music or their favourite actor/actress, etc. I did one about me, including my interest in CB radio and TV test cards. It had a bit about Penistone with a picture of the church. Yes it was as bad as that. Nobody really was interested in cats or unknown nobodies like me. And as regards testcards, well, I still like them.
In 2000, I signed up to a dial-up account with 50MB of web space and I wanted to use it for something. Penistone was being 'marketed' as a tourist attraction by well-intentioned but scatty people who in any case had settled here from elsewhere. They didn't really have any right to do this, in my mind. The claim that Penistone was the 'Gateway to the Pennines' finally did it. As an Irishman once said; "If I was going there, I wouldn't start here". Hence my earlier banner about Penistone as the 'Gateway to Barnsley'. But another thought was in the back of my mind.
I was born in Penistone (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 ex-Penistonians living 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 have never shown places as they really are, warts an' all. As an example of what I liked, have a look at this Dutch photoshare site. I admire the way of life in Holland.
I never crave personal recognition for my efforts but I am beginning to enjoy a sort of minor celebrity status - and all because of this Penistone hobby. In that respect I'm a bit like the presenters of our local radio station but they have to work harder for it. I have to say that I have loved the way this website opened doors and let me 'do' inaccessible areas, like the church tower, the firemen's drill from their tower and behind the scenes at the Paramount.
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 and now cover all aspects of my home town including the local news. 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 poor quality but they serve a valid purpose. In fact, they looked much better when I started, when people had lower resolution monitors and I had poorer eyesight with a cataract.
I enjoy doing the events list and it gives me scope for a few whimsical remarks, which probably amuse me more than you. Other websites have their own listings. 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 (when their website works!). The local cinema website is now well established. The local council has a website updated by the local youth club. Our community radio station 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 and most of us help each other with reciprocal links which also help our status in the search engines.
From square one, I have not misrepresented this site as being in any way 'official' or 'definitive'. I 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 at a bus stop without worrying too much about constraints (other than decency) from elsewhere. I also offer opinions from time to time that don't necessarily fit with 'official' thinking.
I have expressed fears and worries that I have heard about locally. I am often closer to the 'pulse' of these matters than I expect to be. 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 can drop the occasional hint and let others form their own opinions.
I strongly 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 of a miner and glass-blower but we don't have much affinity with these industries. The Clarel coat of arms is Penistone's coat of arms.
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. 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 the darkest dump of Moss Side in Manchester, I returned home and have lived here ever since. My father and grandfather's families were from the nearby village of Thurlstone and go back a long way. I hear you thinking "Now there's a man without ambition" and you might be almost right.
Supporters and Visitors
All who I have asked to help have been very supportive of this website and I think that they go along with its purposes. Most of all if nobody took an interest, there would be no point in this website so it is you who makes it worthwhile. I do have a lot of hits from people all around the world. My Thanks to you all. Now go and do something useful.
