Harry's Home Village Tours premier draws global media attention

Journalists and camera crews from across the UK and beyond flocked to the village on Friday, May 31, to get a preview of this new aspect to the heartthrob musician’s growing mythos.

The tours are the brainchild of the not-for-profit Holmes Chapel Partnership, who say their motivation is visitor safety, as wandering around the traffic- troubled village can pose risks, especially to those unfamiliar with the area.

Though the Partnership had 130 applicants for 11 tour guide roles, including many from oversees, chairman, Peter Whiers, said the nature of the work meant locals would be more qualified to offer the best quality experience to visitors.

The main motivation behind them, Peter added, is to ensure visitors stay safe, as Holmes Chapel isn't always the most pedestrian friendly of places, with its often heavy traffic on the A-roads, and its proximity to the motorway. 

Self-proclaimed 'oldest superfan' Andrea McGillivray, 52, was in the audience at Harry's 2010 X-Factor Audition (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Holmes Chapel’s claim to fame used to be congestion on the M6, but now we have something else.

“First and foremost, these tours are about safety. A year ago, the Partnership printed a map so Harries could move around the village safely, but now we’ve gone a step further.

“And if it gives a little boost to the local economy, all the better.”

Fans and tour previewers, Lillian Boulton (right) and Daisy Sullivan (Image: Newsquest)

A handful of superfans were invited along to the preview to offer their own insights into this new Cheshire attraction.

Andrea McGillivray, from Holmes Chapel, thinks she might be ‘the oldest superfan’ out there.

The 52-year-old said: “I was an audience member in at Harry’s The X-Factor Audition in 2010.

“I didn’t recognise him, but it turns out he used to do Battle of the Bands with my son.

At just 16, Ben McCormick is the youngest member of the team (Image: Newsquest)

“He says Harry has always had that star quality, though he’s really grounded and down to earth at the same time.

“People compare him to Mick Jagger in that way.

“My 12-year-old daughter and I went to one of his shows in Manchester on the last tour and there was just such an amazing sense of community.

One of the motivations for the tour, according to the Partnership, is to prevent further damage to Grade II-listed Twemlow Viaduct (Image: Newsquest)

“There’s just such a lovely sense of love and acceptance among Harries. That’s down to him and his vibe. We made so many new friends, you wouldn’t believe it.

“People ask, aren’t we Holmes Chapel frustrated by all the visitors? But the answer’s no. We couldn’t be more proud of him, or of the village.

“We want to share him, while at the same time, making sure everyone who comes here is safe.”

Tour guides have come up with a less controversial way for fans to leave tributes (Image: Newsquest)

Harry fan, Sadie Huxley, from Stoke-on-Trent, is a regular visitor to Holmes Chapel, including Mandevilles Bakery where Harry had a Saturday job, and the Twemlow Viaduct, where he is supposed to have experienced his first kiss. 

The 15-year-old said: “I’ve been looking forward to the tour as it feels like coming here gives me an insight into how Harry lived.

“I wasn’t expecting quite this much media frenzy though, so I might just have to come again.

“A lot of music artists grew up in big cities like London and Manchester, and I think that can be heard in their music.

“The same goes for Harry, but in a different way.

“Village life had an effect on his personality and his music. It’s slower and gentler, which some would say is a part of his appeal.”

Tour guide, Jill Booth, who happens to be the oldest member of the customer-facing team, remembers when Harry used to come and play at her house with her son Mike.

She said: “My son and Harry are the same age, and went to the same nursery, primary school, and high school.

"He would often pop around and play football in the garden, or PlayStation, and he was always such a well-mannered boy. He always called me Mrs Booth, Never Jill.

"He could be a bit cheeky at times, but he was lovely with it. You could never take offence.

“Harry and Mike went to Italy with the school for a football tournament, and Mike was in goal. He actually broke his arm making a save, and Harry stepped in to cover him. He was that kind of lad."

Harry's Home Village Tours last approximately three hours and cost £20. 

They'll be running every Saturday from June 8, and week days July to September. Tickets are available through the Holmes Chapel Partnership website.