Mystery humming noise that's plagued UK village for almost 3 years may never be discovered, officials fear

The cause behind a mystery humming noise that’s been plaguing a village for almost three years may never be discovered, it is feared. You can hear the hum for yourself below:

Locals in Holmfield, West Yorkshire, have long been baffled by a strange, low-level noise – which has even begun to affect people’s health. 

While the ‘Holmfield Hum’ has left some unable to sleep, others have even developed shingles due to stress. 

Calderdale Council has been working to pinpoint the origins behind the noise, but investigations have proven inconclusive – with a council meeting hearing how all ideas have now been ‘exhausted’. 

Councillor Jenny Lynn told locals: “Officers believe they have now exhausted all reasonable lines of inquiry.” 

The bizarre noise began in March 2020, within days of the first coronavirus lockdown. 

Some residents believe it may have something to do with nearby factories, but this remains unconfirmed after officers looked into a number of industrial estates. 

Local Yvonne Conner, 52, said during the council meeting: “I quit my job as a charity care worker because I couldn’t cope. 

“I got shingles due to stress and it affects my relationship.” 

steven gillis hd9 imaging/Alamy Stock Photo

Conner, who now works as a dog walker, added: “The council should tell factories to turn everything off one weekend. 

“One by one, they should turn them back on and we can work out who’s responsible.” 

At another meeting last year, frustrated locals told the council that they struggled to sleep with the noise, which gets louder at night and weekends. 

Some people even said they had to change their working hours due to lack of rest, while others had to book into hotels to try and catch up on sleep at weekends. 

An independent noise consultant was brought in to investigate, but Lynn warned that it was a complex problem, saying at the time: “The investigating officers firmly believe that they are dealing with more than one noise from more than one source.” 

Lynn said the area’s topography also made it difficult to track down the source of the issue, with a mix of hills and valleys – and residential, commercial and industrial buildings – all to factor in. 

She added that the humming noise was also not audible to everyone, which built on the difficulty of identifying the source. 

Despite struggling to find answers, the council said investigations would continue, with plans to share any findings with affected residents later this month.