The Baptist Church was the home to a great variety of recreational events (see the page on the church). But there was no monopoly. At Enclosure in 1823 there was an inn (The Cherry Tree at Pike Law) and by the end of the nineteenth century, there were two, the second being The New Inn (now the Scape House). Being in a remote setting, there are reports of illegal gambling and after-hours drinking taking place - in marked contrast to the abstention advocated by the Baptist Church.

The Silver Band was a remarkable achievement. In 1859 James Haigh recruited five friends to form a band. Of the six original members, only Haigh could play an instrument. In spite of this inauspicious start, the band went on to great achievement, winning many prizes and, on its 75th anniversary, playing on BBC radio, probably the first people from the village to appear on air. The band opened its own band rooms and is celebrated in a painting, now on display in Huddersfield Local Studies Library,  by Charles Napier. The band ceased to exist in 1986.

Football and cricket teams have intermittently existed  and the Old English Sports Day took place more or less annually between the late 1900s and the Second World War. At its height, this combined with a parade and  the crowning of the 'Rose Queen'. Agricultural shows were held and the Co-op (see the industry page) ran outings for members.