Video: They only have pies for you as Ian McMillan waxes lyrical about Denby Dale

Picturesque Denby Dale, famed as the UK’s only designated “pie village”, will be celebrating next week’s national pie week with extra gusto, thanks to some lyrical waxings by Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan.

The Yorkshire Post columnist has put pen to paper to create his “Denby Dale piem”, in which he has sought to lionise the village’s affinity with the Great British pie.

Nestled in the picturesque hills of West Yorkshire, Denby Dale has been producing the famous meat and potato Denby Dale pies for more than two centuries.

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Pies are still handmade in the Dale, by craft bakers in a small factory nestled under the famous viaduct. The business was recently rescued from receivership by a team led by entrepreneur Andrew Hayes, preserving 17 jobs. Kirklees Council’s website says the viillage’s pie-baking tradition dates from 1788.

“We wanted to mark national pie week in a quirky way that celebrates what’s special about the village, and remind folks we’re making award winning pies again,” explained Mr Hayes.

“Denby Dale is famous for pies and we hope to keep Denby Dale on the map as the pie capital of Britain.”

Part of Mr McMillan’s poem reads: “They’ve been making pies in Denby Dale, For centuries and more, They’re as Yorkshire as puddings and good strong ale, You can smell ‘em through the cottage door.”