65-585: Heckmondwike is a town in the Kirklees district, West Yorkshire , England, 9 miles (14 km) south west of Leeds . Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire , it is close to Cleckheaton and Liversedge . It is mostly in the Batley and Spen parliamentary constituency, and had an estimated population of 16,986 at the 2011 Census increasing to 18,149 at the 2021 Census. Heckmondwike forms part of
130-462: A 669 feet (204 m) mast was erected in under 28 days at a cost of £ 100,000 (equivalent to £2.1 million in 2023). This mast could hold only one set of antennae, so many viewers in outlying areas still could not receive colour programmes. The taller mast was brought into service on 16 April. Some weeks later, the BBC erected a 299 feet (91 m) mast, improving coverage. The accumulation of ice
195-701: A capping cylinder, bringing the total height to 1,265 feet (385.5 m). At the time of its construction, it was one of the tallest human-made structures in the world. It was designed by British Insulated Callender's Cables (BICC), and manufactured by EMI , and built by J. L. Eve Construction . Its ropes weighed 85 long tons (86 t), made by British Ropes , with steel from Steel, Peech and Tozer of Templeborough in South Yorkshire. The column weighed 210 long tons (210 t) and had 375 segments, with steel from United Steel Companies at Scunthorpe in northern Lincolnshire . The cylindrical steel mast
260-473: A central position to all the other surrounding unitary boroughs of West Yorkshire, with people living in the northern parts commuting to Leeds and York for work and education. People living in the western parts commute to Bradford , Halifax and Huddersfield for education and work. People living in the southern and eastern parts commute to Wakefield , Barnsley , Sheffield and Manchester for work and education. The largest towns and principal districts in
325-606: A community based radio station that broadcast from the Dewsbury on 101.8 FM. The town has its own bus station . Very few bus services terminate at Heckmondwike; most are through services from across West Yorkshire including Leeds , Bradford , Huddersfield and Wakefield . Kirklees Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire , England. The borough comprises the ten towns of Batley , Birstall , Cleckheaton , Dewsbury , Heckmondwike , Holmfirth , Huddersfield , Meltham , Mirfield and Slaithwaite . It
390-539: A falling stay cable cut through the roof of a local church and across the transmitter site buildings, no one was injured. It completely disabled the BBC2 UHF transmitter and the ITV VHF transmitter, leaving several million people without service. BBC1 VHF television transmissions continued from Holme Moss . The Independent Television Authority (ITA) owned a collapsible emergency mast, 200 feet (61 m) tall, which
455-575: A general redistribution of seats in 1983. Accordingly, Kirklees was divided between seven constituencies, which had first been used in the 1950 general election . (Defected to the Social Democratic Party in 1981 when he seemed unlikely to be reselected as Labour candidate for the next election.) 53°35′35″N 1°48′04″W / 53.593°N 1.801°W / 53.593; -1.801 Emley Moor transmitting station The Emley Moor transmitting station
520-406: A lion guardant purpure resting the inner hind leg on a cross crosslet Or embellished in each of the four angles with a fleur de lis azure. Badge or device : A roundel purpure charged with a Lacy Knot Or all within a circle of eleven roses argent barbed and seeded proper. The green colouring of the shield represents the fields, woods and moorland of the borough. The white stripe or bend represents
585-514: A number of traffic-free cycle paths called Greenways in partnership with Sustrans . Tourism in Kirklees is based around the area's countryside and industrial heritage: Kirklees Council closed Dewsbury Museum and Red House Museum at the end of 2016, claiming it could not afford to continue running them following cuts to its budget . Tourist information in Kirklees can be obtained from major libraries. Huddersfield Town play football in
650-454: A spokesperson for National Grid Wireless announced that the work had been scheduled around major events. Digital UK reported in April 2010 that the transmitter would undergo work in preparation for the digital switchover (DSO) in 2011. Disruption to some or all Freeview services was expected to last for around two months, during which time a reserve transmitter would continue to broadcast
715-643: A ten-mile (16 km) radius, and are located to the southwest and west-northwest, respectively. Its television coverage area is one of the largest in the UK; covering most of Yorkshire and parts of the East Midlands including Leeds , Sheffield , York , Chesterfield , Worksop and Mansfield . Some transmissions can be received in Greater Manchester across the Pennines due to the height of
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#1732781148773780-568: Is a telecommunications and broadcasting facility on Emley Moor, 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the village centre of Emley , in Huddersfield , West Yorkshire , England. It is made up of a 1,047 ft (319 m) concrete tower and apparatus that began to transmit in 1971. It is protected under UK law as a Grade II listed building . It is the tallest freestanding structure in the United Kingdom , and 25th tallest tower in
845-508: Is composed of 69 councillors, three for each of the borough's 23 wards . Elections are held three years out of four, on the first Thursday of May. One third of the councillors are elected, for a four-year term, in each election. The council is currently led by a Labour executive. The shadow Kirklees District Council petitioned the privy council for a royal charter under section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972 granting
910-567: Is governed by Kirklees Council . Kirklees had a population of 422,500 in 2011; it is the third-largest metropolitan district in England by area , behind Doncaster and Leeds . The borough was formed on 1 April 1974 by the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 as part of a reform of local government in England . Eleven former local government districts were merged : the county boroughs of Huddersfield and Dewsbury ,
975-505: Is shown on a sign beside the offices at the base of the tower, but it is commonly known just as "Emley Moor Mast ". In 2021, the antenna was replaced, to accommodate frequency changes for mobile phone use, by a shorter antenna of 36 ft (11 m) but the structure still remains the tallest freestanding structure in the United Kingdom. Emley Moor has been a transmission site since the earliest days of commercial television in
1040-474: Is the main station for 57 relays and repeaters throughout Yorkshire and the surrounding counties. In July 2007, it was confirmed by Ofcom that Emley Moor would remain a B group transmitter after digital switchover (DSO). The area is important for RF, radio frequency transmission, and from the foot of the structure, both Holme Moss and the Moorside Edge transmitter are visible. They are within
1105-546: Is the most populated borough or district in England not to have city status . In 2001 it was announced that a grant of city status was to be made to an English town to mark the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II , and Kirklees council indicated that it was considering applying on behalf of Huddersfield. An unofficial telephone poll by the Huddersfield Examiner found a slim majority against the proposal, and
1170-700: The A62 road . Heckmondwike ward is represented on Kirklees Council by three Labour councillors. In 2003 the ward elected David Exley of the British National Party , after the serving councillor left the Labour Party to run as an independent. Exley was re-elected in 2004, and in 2006 a second BNP member, Roger Roberts, was elected. Roberts had previously served as councillor for the Conservative Party . In May 2007 David Sheard (Labour),
1235-522: The Championship . Kirkless is served by BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire broadcasting from the Emley Moor transmitter which is situated near the village of Emley , in Huddersfield . Local radio stations are: Local newspapers are Huddersfield Daily Examiner , Yorkshire Evening Post and Yorkshire Post . Kirklees Council is the local authority of the district. The council
1300-560: The EFL Championship as of the 2022–23 season. They were the first English club to win three successive league titles. There are also 3 semi professional football teams within Kirklees, Liversedge , Emley and Golcar United . The birthplace of rugby league was at the George Hotel, Huddersfield ; local clubs include Super League side Huddersfield Giants , alongside Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams who both play in
1365-593: The Heavy Woollen District . The origins of Heckmondwike are in Old English . First recorded as Hedmundewic [ sic ] in the Domesday Book of 1086, Hedmu n dewic in 1166, and as Hecmundewik sometime in the 13th century, the name seems to be from * Hēahmundes wīc , or 'Heahmund's dairy-farm'. During Saxon times, Heckmondwike was a "berewick" or independent village in
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#17327811487731430-508: The M62 motorway , while the blue wave upon it is for the many waterways of the area. On the chief or upper third of the shield is a paschal lamb , symbol of St John the Baptist . John was the patron saint of woolworkers, and the inclusion of the emblem represents the historic woollen industry. The cogwheels are for the modern engineering industries. The crest is a ram's head, found in the arms of
1495-684: The Penistone line have local Northern Trains services. Some towns in Kirklees have not been served by rail transport since the Beeching cuts . Dewsbury and Batley are served by the Calder Valley Line and the TransPennine Express lines. These serve an important urban area around Leeds and Kirklees with services to further away stations including Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street . Most bus services in
1560-432: The blazon of the arms is as follows: Vert on a bend Argent a bendlet wavy azure on a chief Or a pale between two cog-wheels azure on the pale a Paschal Lamb supporting a staff of the fourth flying therefrom a forked pennon argent charged with a cross gules; and for a Crest , On a wreath of the colours a ram's head affronty couped argent armed Or gorged with a mural crown sable masoned argent. Supporters : On either side
1625-537: The municipal boroughs of Batley and Spenborough and the urban districts of Colne Valley , Denby Dale , Heckmondwike , Holmfirth , Kirkburton , Meltham and Mirfield . The name Kirklees was chosen by the merging councils from more than fifty suggestions, including Upper Agbrigg , Brigantia and Wooldale . It was named after Kirklees Priory , which is claimed to be site of Robin Hood's death , situated midway between Huddersfield and Dewsbury. The priory
1690-411: The status of a borough from 1 April 1974. The grant of borough status entitled the chairman of the council to the title of " mayor ", effectively continuing the mayoralties of the former boroughs of Dewsbury (1862), Huddersfield (1898), Batley (1869) and Spenborough (1955). The mayor is elected from among the councillors for a one-year term (the "civic year") at the council's annual meeting. Kirklees
1755-434: The 01422 (Halifax) and 0113 (Leeds) codes respectively. Public transport information is provided by Metro , as is the case across West Yorkshire. Kirklees lies along the core Huddersfield line of the TransPennine Express network, with services calling at Huddersfield and Dewsbury . Direct Grand Central services to London King's Cross call at Mirfield . Other railway stations in the district on these routes and on
1820-564: The Blanket Hall was built for trade in the town's primary manufacture. It was replaced by a second hall erected in 1839, on Blanket Hall Street in the town centre. Elizabeth Gaskell 's biography of Charlotte Brontë in 1857 described the inhabitants of Heckmondwike as "a chapel-going people, very critical of their sermons, tyrannical to their ministers and violent radicals". The town ceased generating electricity in 1924. The Power Company buildings survive in part on Bath Road. The remains of
1885-559: The County Borough of Huddersfield and the Mirfield Urban District Council. The black mural crown stands for the district's status as a borough, recalling a city wall. The supporters are purple lions from the arms of the de Laci family, medieval lords of Huddersfield. For heraldic "difference" from other lion supporters a distinctive cross has been placed below their inner feet. This device, combining
1950-576: The Huddersfield area are operated by Team Pennine and First West Yorkshire , and most bus services in the Heavy Woollen area are operated by Arriva Yorkshire . The urban areas of Kirklees are served by the M62 and M1 motorways. Parts of the local road network are considered to require improvement, such as the main route from Huddersfield to the southbound M1 which narrows as it passes through Flockton . Kirklees Council has developed
2015-572: The Labour vote increased slightly, and they gained Dewsbury from the Conservatives. At the same time the Alliance vote fell, and the Conservatives took Colne Valley. The four MPs elected in 1992 were all returned in 1997. Kirkburton, Mirfield and Thornhill. Parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales continued to be defined in terms of the boroughs and districts abolished in 1974 until
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2080-401: The UK. The present concrete tower is the third antenna support structure to have occupied the site. The first permanent transmitter built there was for ITV , covering much of the north of England. It had a 443 feet (135 m) lattice tower, which provided limited coverage. This original 443-foot (135 m) lattice tower was erected in 1956 to provide Independent Television broadcasts to
2145-571: The Yorkshire area. It entered service on 3 November 1956, transmitting Granada Television programmes on weekdays, and ABC TV programmes at weekends. In 1964, in anticipation of colour PAL transmissions set to begin in 1966, the original 443-foot (135 m) lattice tower was replaced by a taller 1,265-foot (385.5 m) guyed mast , identical to the structure at Belmont transmitting station in Lincolnshire. The dismantled lattice tower
2210-700: The antenna on the tower and the powerful signal. Over the years, the concrete structure has been updated to reflect the changing nature of communications and technology. At the top and bottom of the tower, supporting structures have been attached to accommodate dishes and aerials. The BBC reported in July 2006 that for up to two weeks, it would broadcast analogue and digital signals at a lower power than usual, or shut down between 09:00 and 15:00 BST on weekdays from late July until 4 August, to allow aircraft warning lights to be fitted and repairs carried out. Repairs were estimated to affect around five million homes; however,
2275-480: The antennae. The structure is a tapered, reinforced concrete tower . It is the tallest freestanding structure in the United Kingdom at a height of 1,084 feet (330 m), 66 feet (20 m) taller than The Shard . Reaching the tower room at the top of the concrete structure at 900 feet (274 m) involves a seven-minute journey by lift. The antenna structure above it is a further 184 feet (56 m) tall. The mast's foundations penetrate 20 feet (6 m) into
2340-509: The borough are Huddersfield , Dewsbury , Batley , Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton . The principal settlements of Kirklees are mill towns in the Colne Valley , Holme Valley , Calder Valley and Spen Valley . Those areas of the district with a more urban character bound Calderdale to the west, Bradford to the north-west, Leeds to the north-east and Wakefield to the east. The district also includes several rural villages, with
2405-483: The collapsed tower was converted for use as a racing control tower at Huddersfield Sailing Club. After the setting up of temporary masts, erection of the current concrete tower began in 1969. It was not built on the site where the original mast had stood, but slightly to the south-east at 53°36′43″N 1°39′52″W / 53.612056°N 1.664390°W / 53.612056; -1.664390 . UHF (625-line colour) transmissions commenced on 21 January 1971, and
2470-464: The council did not proceed with the application. Borough status also allows the council to confer the freedom of the borough on "persons of distinction". Since its formation Kirklees Council has granted this right to two individuals and two groups: Kirklees is twinned with: Kirklees Borough Council was granted armorial bearings by the College of Arms by letters patent dated 24 June 1974.
2535-513: The first Blanket Hall were demolished in spring 2008, along with a number of other old buildings including some former Co-op buildings that had been used as the post office and former "George" public house . A health centre was opened in July 2010 to house two former doctors' practices. Located at the edge of the Pennine hills, the land rises to the north, east and south of the town centre. The town covers an area of one square mile (640 acres),
2600-415: The five main analogue channels. The work was then reported to be continuing into September due to "poor weather conditions and complex engineering issues". In March 2018, a temporary 1,063 ft (324 m) mast was erected so that work could be undertaken on the main tower's transmitting arrays without interrupting transmissions,. The temporary mast was due to be removed by the end of 2021. However, it
2665-511: The former Spenborough Urban District and Heckmondwike. Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC Yorkshire and ITV Yorkshire . Television signals are received from the Emley Moor TV transmitter. Local radio stations are BBC Radio Leeds on 92.4 FM, Heart Yorkshire on 106.2 FM, Capital Yorkshire on 105.6 FM, Hits Radio West Yorkshire on 102.5 FM, Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire on 96.3 FM and Branch Radio ,
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2730-529: The former constituency receiving Heckmondwike ward from Batley and Spen. The constituencies were first used at the 1997 general election , when the Labour Party came to power in a landslide , gaining all the seats in the borough. The party held the seats at the subsequent elections of 2001 and 2005 . The incumbent MP for Batley and Spen , Jo Cox , was murdered on 16 June 2016. A constituency by-election took place on 20 October 2016 and Tracy Brabin
2795-594: The ground, and the whole structure, including foundations, weighs 11,000 long tons (11,200 t). The tower was designed by Arup . When built, it was the third-tallest freestanding structure in Europe, after the Ostankino Tower at 1,772 feet (540 m), and the Fernsehturm Berlin (current height 1,207 feet (368 m)). The top of the tower is 1,949 feet (594 m) above sea level , due to
2860-557: The largest rural area extending from the south of Huddersfield. The Pennine countryside to the south-west of Meltham and Holme lies within the Peak District National Park. This moorland area mostly bounds Saddleworth , a traditional part of Yorkshire but now locally governed from Oldham , Greater Manchester . There is also a relatively short border with the High Peak district of Derbyshire , running across
2925-638: The lowest and most common of three categories, for meeting its criteria of significant architectural or historic interest. The tower is currently owned by Arqiva , previously the Independent Broadcasting Authority Engineering section, privatised as NTL Broadcast . Emley Moor tower broadcasts six digital television multiplexes, three digital radio ensembles, and two independent local radio stations ( Capital Yorkshire and Heart Yorkshire ), over an area of approximately 3,900 square miles (10,000 km ). It
2990-508: The manor of Gomersal , which, before 1066, was held by Dunstan and Gamel. The Poll Tax of 1379 records seven families in Heckmondwike, about 35 people: including one named Thomas of Stubly. Most lived in isolated farmsteads such as Stubley Farm, on high ground overlooking the marshy Spen Valley floor. In 1684, there were around 250 people, occupying 50 houses, in the town. The town became famous for manufacturing blankets, and by 1811
3055-399: The older VHF (405-line black and white) system became operational on 21 April 1971. Local residents did not wish to see another mast on Emley Moor, and a departure from usual designs was called for. The new structure consists of a tapered cylindrical pillar, 902 feet (275 m) tall, constructed of reinforced concrete , and is topped by a 180 feet (55 m) steel lattice mast which carries
3120-510: The site's elevated position on the eastern edge of the Pennines. The tower is not open to the public. There was an observation area off the main road that runs past it, but as of 25 February 2018, this seems to be closed. The tower has a top-floor interior equipment area at a height of 1,083 feet (330 m), which is accessible to people. In 2002, English Heritage granted the tower Grade II listed building protection under UK law, being
3185-529: The south have HD postcodes, Birkenshaw , Cleckheaton and Gomersal have BD postcodes, and the rest of the Heavy Woollen area has WF postcodes. Similarly the district is split between several telephone dialling codes, with most residents in the 01484 (Huddersfield), 01274 (Bradford) and 01924 (Wakefield) codes. A small number of residents in Birchencliffe and Birkenshaw villages fall within
3250-415: The summit of Black Hill , and the main border to the south of Kirklees is with Barnsley . The inclusion of two county boroughs resulted in a district without an obvious centre. Over the years there have been suggestions of splitting the district into two, administered from Huddersfield and Dewsbury. Graham Riddick , as MP for Colne Valley , campaigned for a split in the early 1990s. A similar ambition
3315-525: The symbols of Christ and the Virgin Mary, represents the priory from which the borough took its name. In five areas of the borough there is a second tier of local government: the civil parish . Parish or town councils have limited powers of a purely local character, such as owning or maintaining allotments, burial grounds, footpaths and war memorials. Four of the parishes were formed as successor parishes to urban districts abolished in 1974. The fifth
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#17327811487733380-602: The town boundary is not the same as the ward boundary. Heckmondwike has a telephone exchange, north of High Street in the Wakefield 01924 dialling area. The exchange covers Liversedge , and parts of Dewsbury Moor and Staincliffe . In 1894 Heckmondwike Urban District Council was established and was incorporated into Kirklees in the local government reorganisation of 1974. The Heckmondwike electoral ward includes Millbridge, Flush, and Norristhorpe in Liversedge south of
3445-423: The weight of ice that had formed around the top of the mast and on the guy wires caused the structure to collapse. The duty engineer wrote the following in the station's log book, demonstrating that failure of the structure was completely unexpected: The collapse left sections of twisted mast strewn over the transmitter site, and across the junction of Common Lane and Jagger Lane, and the surrounding fields. Although
3510-636: The world . It was the seventh tallest freestanding structure and was fourth tallest tower in the European Union before Brexit . When built it was the sixth tallest freestanding structure in the world after the Ostankino Tower , the Empire State Building , 875 North Michigan Avenue (known as The John Hancock Center), the Berliner Fernsehturm and Tokyo Tower . The tower's current official name, The Arqiva Tower ,
3575-441: Was believed to have caused the collapse, but a committee of inquiry attributed it to vortex shedding which occurred over a five year period of low but steady wind speed, enhanced during periods of high wind speed. Damping modifications, including hanging 150 long tons (150 t) of steel chains within each structure, were made to similar masts at Belmont and Winter Hill . None of the modified masts have collapsed. A section of
3640-547: Was elected. A further by-election will be held in the constituency on 1 July 2021, after Brabin's resignation, following her election as Mayor of West Yorkshire . 2010–present: Batley East, Batley West, Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Gomersal. 2010–present: Denby Dale, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury South, Dewsbury West, Kirkburton, Mirfield. 2010–present: Horbury and South Ossett, Ossett, Wakefield East, Wakefield North, Wakefield Rural, Wakefield West. The 1983 general election
3705-675: Was formed in 1988. The five town or parish councils are: The remainder of the borough is unparished , with the borough council exercising parish powers. Since 1997 Kirklees has been divided into five constituencies: four being entirely within the borough, while one ward (Wakefield) is included in the Wakefield Council borough. The boundaries of two of the Colne Valley and Huddersfield constituencies were virtually unchanged from those defined in 1983. Denby Dale and Kirkburton wards were transferred from Dewsbury to Wakefield, with
3770-579: Was located within the present-day Kirklees Park estate, most of which actually lies in the neighbouring borough of Calderdale . Under the original draft of the Act, the district would have included Ossett , part of the Dewsbury Parliamentary constituency at that time. It was eventually decided that Ossett was too remote to be governed from Huddersfield and the town was included within the Wakefield district instead. Kirklees sits in quite
3835-477: Was mentioned by Elizabeth Peacock , MP for Batley and Spen in 1991. The boundaries of metropolitan boroughs were outside the remit of the Banham Commission appointed to review local government structures in 1992 or its successors, and only minor boundary changes were made with neighbouring districts in 1994. The district includes parts of three postcode areas. Huddersfield and the rural areas to
3900-458: Was moved to Emley from the Lichfield transmitting station so that some service could be restored. ITV signals were restored to 2.5 million viewers within four days. The BBC provided a mobile mast on an outside broadcast van to restore a restricted BBC2 colour service within two days. The ITA bought a larger temporary mast from a Swedish company. A crew of Polish riggers were hired, and
3965-470: Was not until summer 2023 that work got underway to dismantle it, carried out by Turmbau Steffens & Nölle GmbH of Berlin. At Emley Moor, BBC Two analogue closed on 7 September 2011, and ITV Yorkshire temporarily moved onto its frequency at the time to allow the BBC A MUX to launch in its place. The remaining four analogue services closed on 21 September 2011, when the remaining digital multiplexes were allowed to transmit with increased power. Below
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#17327811487734030-528: Was rebuilt at Craigkelly transmitting station . Yorkshire Television commenced broadcasting from the Emley Moor transmitter following the reorganisation of the ITV franchises on 29 July 1968. The guy-supported tubular mast was constructed from curved steel segments to form a 9 feet (2.75 m) diameter tube, 902 feet (275 m) long, and was surmounted by a lattice section 351 feet (107 m) tall, and
4095-404: Was regularly coated in ice during the winter, and large icicles formed on the guy wires, placing them under great strain. During winter, ice often fell from the guy-wires. For this reason, amber warning lights on the tower operated when ice was a hazard, and notices were posted on the fence adjacent to Jagger Lane, below the guy wire crossings. On 19 March 1969, a combination of strong winds and
4160-547: Was returned. In May 2008 Exley lost his seat to Labour candidate Steve Hall. In May 2010 Roberts lost his seat to Labour candidate Viv Kendrick. Sheard was re-elected in 2011, and Hall was re-elected in 2012. The weekly newspaper was the Heckmondwike Herald until Friday 15 August 2008 after which the title was merged into the Spenborough Guardian incorporating the Heckmondwike Herald . It covers
4225-525: Was the first at which constituencies based on the administrative areas created in 1974 were used. Kirklees was divided into four constituencies. The Conservative Party polled well in the 1983 election, and took two of the borough's constituencies. Labour held Huddersfield, while the Liberals, running in an alliance with the Social Democrats , held Colne Valley. In the following election in 1987
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