Huddersfield Library and Holmfirth School - Fenella the Tiger

A joint project between Huddersfield Local Studies Library and Holmfirth Junior and Infant School

Staff at Huddersfield Local Studies Library were already working with colleagues at Holmfirth Library and the community to record any lasting memories of Fenella when a grant from Museums, Libraries and Archives Yorkshire offered the opportunity to work with young children, initially under 5s, on the project.



We decided on a creative arts approach, aiming to work in an Early Years setting to engage young children in their local heritage, by looking at the real story of the Holmfirth Tiger in a new and creative way. We approached the school which had taken the Tiger story most closely to heart, Holmfirth Junior and Infant School, otherwise known as "The Nabb" and they were delighted at the prospect of working with us.



A project team was established consisting of Librarians from the Local Studies Library, artists Tim Curtis and Morwenna Catt, and the staff and pupils from Holmfirth Junior and Infant School, in particular Lynne Firth head of Foundation Year. Ruth Churchill-Dower from the Early Arts Network advised.


The children worked with the artists and staff in their school setting. The Nursery and Reception children were told the story of the Tiger and then were asked to work with the artists creating collage and mosaic representing different aspects of the story. Library staff also ran a couple of craft events -making tiger bookmarks and masks. The children were encouraged to talk about the tiger and their listening skills were being developed throughout the length of the project.

Outcomes of the project
1. The children created their own mosaic, ‘Tiger Tails'. The mosaic artist, Morwenna Catt, also used some of the work the children did in school to create a further professional mosaic which will hang in Holmfirth Library as a lasting reminder of Fenella.

2. A picture book for children was produced, using the children's own collage work. The picture book features differential text - a simple text version for the children to read themselves and a more difficult text which can be shared with siblings, parents and grandparents.

3. A "Holmfirth Tiger "learning journey is being created on the Mylearning website as a resource for teachers.

4. The school fully recorded the project and observed children's reactions, behaviour and progress. They took photographs and voice recordings and produced a record book and short video of the children's involvement.


Background to the story
The Overend family from Holmfirth were circus entertainers and toured South Africa in 1939. During their tour they were offered two newly born tiger cubs to rear, and although one of them soon died, they successfully reared the remaining one, Fenella, and, at the outbreak of World War II, brought her back with them to live in Holmfirth. After a spell in quarantine, Fenella lived with the family who took her on long walks around Holmfirth. Many people, including the pupils of ‘The Nabb' school (Holmfirth J & I), remember meeting her and recall amusing incidents involving her.

Fenella also went on tour briefly in circuses and theatres across Britain. Sadly, she died in 1950 but is still fondly remembered by her family and the people of Holmfirth. All pictures courtesy of Shaun Flannery