S Poddar
Fans of Harry Styles have been flocking to a newly displayed wall near the viaduct where the pop star had his first kiss, writing heartfelt messages and tributes. This latest addition was installed just weeks before the close of August alongside one of the supporting columns of Twemlow Viaduct-on the line near Styles’ hometown of Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. The move came in the wake of fans having carved their names and messages into the historic Grade II-listed brick structure.
The project from Network Rail was supposed to be a place for fans to show their love for Styles, but also to protect the viaduct from some of the inadvertent damage that overeager fans can cause. The wall is covered in blackboards and has already attracted visitors from as far away as the United States, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
It went viral last year when Styles was interviewed in a documentary and claimed it was the site of his first kiss. Soon after, fans began to visit to try to place their experiences at that sacred spot. “The way he makes people feel-especially at his concerts-it really feels like home to me,” Hesta said, talking about her inspiration for the visit.
The Portuguese friends Marta and Leonor added a personal touch to their outing, first visiting the bakery where Styles had previously worked and then the viaduct. On a similar vein, the Stafford teenager Sofia added a personal touch to her message of admiration, “His music has really helped me through some tough times.”
Megan Sage, of Blackpool, was able to invite Styles to her hometown and said: “When he’s performing, it’s just such a lovely vibe and he emits such a lovely kind energy.”
The pulling-in protective boards, set up with the help of the Holmes Chapel Partnership, have proved very popular. The Holmes Chapel Partnership – which helps organize ‘Harry Styles’-themed tours – said local businesses benefit from the tourism the tours are bringing. Peter Whiers, the chairman of the Holmes Chapel Partnership, revealed that “the popularity of Harry Styles never ceases to amaze me,” and even recounted an incident where half of an American family from Colorado attended one of their recent tours; they visited both London and Holmes Chapel.
As the tribute wall remains a top destination for fans worldwide, it is yet another testament to Harry Styles’ enduring impact and the special connection he sustains with his supporters.
