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Huddersfield - the name says it all really! Visions of a dark satanic mill town in the middle of no where spring to mind! For years this was my impression of my adopted home town. My only experience of Huddersfield was on the train journey home to Hull from Manchester. One minute you are way up on the bleak moor land then suddenly you are in Huddersfield railway station. The view from the railway station comfirms your thoughts of the town, with the only view being of large Victorian buildings in various states of repair. The view does not get any better as the train heads out of town towards Leeds passing the Zeneca chemical works and other industrial sites. Then countryside again till you see the relatively familar landmarks of Leeds and breath a sigh of relief at having escaped!

After several years of sitting on a train and feeling incredibly sorry for the mates I had, who actually lived here I got off the train and feel in love with the place and the chap who was to become known as Himdownstairs!

Shopping in Huddersfield Town centre is reasonable much like any small town with the usual high st shops ie Next, Dot perkins, Principles, M&S and BHs to name a few. This is going to change when they finally open the new Kingsgate shopping centre on the edge of town then the wonders of a proper department store and A TK Maxx will be with us.

Out side of the town centre there are the usual run of the mill retail parks with DIY superstores, PC world and the electrical warehouses all fighting to part you with your hard earnt cash!

Out and about in Huddersfield at night is a relatively safe experience, unlike some bigger towns the town centre does not develope a siege mentality on a Friday and saturday night! The pubs in the town centre cater for a wide age group, so if you are not an under 21 you can still find some where to drink.

Huddersfield offers several Pubs and clubs which hold late licensces notably the Head of Steam next door to the station. Night clubs include Johnny's, Ethos and Visage. Eden which is housed in the University of Huddersfield student Union is a good night out if you can gain entry.

Greenhead park just outside the town centre is a large park with a spectacular war memorial - reminicent of a greek temple. The park itself is home to many events during the summer months including the Afro cariaben carnival, Asian mela, Jazz concerts and and in recent years an anti racist festival organised by the Students union. The park does get busy when the sun comes out (- Yes it doesnt always rain here!!!) but it is big enough to find a nice corner to soak up a few ultra violet rays in relative peace.

The countryside around Huddersfield is ideal for gentle works along the Leeds to Liverpool canal being a favourite of mine. Last of the Summerwine country can easily be found by making the 15 minute car journey into Holmfirth. Word of warning - gets very busy in the summer and Sid's cafe does a lousy cuppa!! To be honest Holmfirth is very much like any other small yorkshire village and so isn't very special!! But one thing in its favour is that it is home to a monthly farmers market so if you fancy a wonder round of a sunday morning go when the market is on!

Now your probably wondering why I called this opinion Wi'bits? This is a strange Huddersfield expression which took me a while to cotton onto - I just thought they were a wee strange up here when I first moved up! Picture the scene you're queueing in your local chippie and most people politely ask for fish n chips wi'bits love! this quaint expression basically means they want the batter scraps on their chips! Strange but true!!!