Meltham

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Meltham and lower Holme Valley, West Yorkshire. Netherton and Newsome are seen centre left

Meltham is a town and civil parish in the county of West Yorkshire, England.Four and a half miles, to the southwest of Huddersfield on the edge of the Peak District National Park, below Wessenden Moor. Meltham now includes the small village of Helme, which has its own church and primary school and Meltham Mills.

According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 8089, The Valley has been inhabited since pre-historic times and there are two iron age sites overlooking the town.

[edit] Melthams Mills

Meltham Mills was the former site of Jonas Brook and Brothers, a silk mill complex that employed over 1,000 workers during the late 19th century. The Brook family originally came from New House Hall in Sheepridge, moving to Thickhollins towards the end of the 18th century. William Brook married Martha Smith at Bradford Parish Church - the daughter of a prominent Mirfield banker. Their sons Jonas, James and Joseph established their business in Meltham Mills, using a goat's head - the crest from the Brook's coat of arms - as their brand. The goat's head can still be seen on the offices to the mill complex and their arms are emblazed in St. James' Church, in Meltham Mills (which the family built) - a hawkes lure: motto "en dieu ma foy" (in God my trust). Edward Brook died at Hoddom Castle, Nr Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland in 1904 leaving an estate valued at over £1 million (worth millions in today's value). The Brook family were philathropists and built much housing in Meltham Mills, including the convalescent home. They also built Meltham Hall, Helme Church and had an estate at Enderby in Leicestershire

Jonas Brook and Brothers became United Threads in 1890 and was closed in 1931 - the business was transferred to Paisley as part of JP Coats - now Coats Viyella

John Charles Brook was Somerset Herald during the 18th century. He was crushed to death at the Haymarket Theatre in London following the crowd's clamour to see King George III in 1794. He is buried in St Benet Paul's Wharf in London. William Brook is buried with his wife Martha in Meltham Church, but his decendants are buried underneath St. James Church, Meltham Mills.

Meltham Mills was also the former base of the David Brown Tractors factory opening in 1939 and closing operations on the site in 1988. The various building have now been converted into a diverse number of industrial units. One housing a Tractor museum, another section of the buildings contain an indoor go-kart track.

Durker Roods, the former home of Sir David Brown was converted into a hotel and the grounds were sold for private housing.

The village has its own joint Scouting and Guides Association buildings.