Skelmanthorpe is a village in the Denby Dale civil parish, in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England.

[1] The village sits on the south (right) bank of the first river-like flow, from three small headwaters (uniting in the northwest corner of the parish), of the Dearne.

William the Conqueror had difficulties subduing his northern subjects, leading to the order to "spare neither man nor beast, but to kill, burn and destroy" being issued.

[5] During the 1770s, Skelmanthorpe Feast was a riotous affair with bull and bear-baiting and organised dog fights on the village green.

[6] A quote from John Taylor, who compiled a biography of Skelmanthorpe-born preacher Isaac Marsden (1807–1882), records that "Public houses were crowded with drunken revellers, who caroused all day and made night hideous with quarrels and disturbances ...

"[6] Skelmanthorpe Feast now happens every year on the field next to The Chartist and across the road from what was the Three Horse Shoes public house and is now shops.

[8] In June 2010, part of the club was redeveloped as a Youth and Community Centre with a car park, outdoor 5-a-side court, sports hall with a stage, meeting room and cafe.

[citation needed] Similar to many village in the area, agriculture was the primary industry of Skelmanthorpe until the 19th century when weaving took over as the dominant occupation.

[citation needed] Number 6, Queen Street was preserved by Leslie Robinson a local historian as the Skelmanthorpe Textile Heritage Centre, complete with hand loom and all the associated equipment.

It opens on the second Sunday of the months between March and December to give free guided tours and loom demonstrations.

It currently houses one pump and one area support unit along with 21 personnel and is designated as a retained fire station.

Following a petition from local young people[20] fundraising allowed the construction of a small skatepark which opened early 2006.

[22] For more than 100 years (from 1879 until 1986), Skelmanthorpe had a railway station on the Clayton West branch line that ran along the northern edge of the village.

[25] Actresses: Musicians: Academics: During the mid-1970s, central parts were a set for Yorkshire Television sitcom, Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!,[30] starring Bill Maynard.

Towns and cities: Barnsley, Huddersfield, Wakefield Villages: Denby Dale, Clayton West, Emley, Lower Cumberworth, Scissett, Shelley, Shepley Media related to Skelmanthorpe at Wikimedia Commons