THE FIFTEENTH Ilkley Summer Festival will bring another helping of music, entertainment, sport and culture to town throughout August.

Big events including jazz concerts, open air music and the three-day continental street market will join heritage guided walks, sports events and the annual Ilkley Flower and Vegetable Show in the month-long festival programme.

The festival is once again contending with limited funding to bring a month of special attractions to the town, and has this year also suffered the sad loss of one of the foremost figures behind the event.

But organisers are confident there is still plenty on offer.

Festival managing director, Anne Hawkesworth, said: "Festival 15 is now underway thanks to a little help from our friends. This year has been a difficult one. Money is scarce, that's the case all over. We also suffered the loss of Paul Kitching, our company secretary. Paul had become a festival stalwart and he is hugely missed. That we have managed to put together a splendid, zingy programme in time for August 1 when we start the festival reflects the debt we owe to our one or two new pairs of hands."

Opening the festivities on August 1 will be the Yorkshire Day celebrations, this year combined with a classic car show and a celebration marking 150 years since the arrival of the railway in Ilkley.

Events run on many days of the week, but the focus, for many, will be the bigger events on weekends in August.

The Continental Street Market will be set up on The Grove from August 6 to 9.

There will be a double bill of open air entertainment on Saturday, August 15, starting with a celebration of VE Day. The afternoon, from 2pm to 4.30pm will feature a swing from the Forties to the Norties, with music from The Honeybirds, and local singer Shirley Britton.

From 6.30pm, it will be the return of the Dolce Vita cabaret night on The Grove, featuring the talents of festival favourite, Dominic Halpin and the Honey Bs, plus alfresco dining in the best of Ilkley traditions.

Ilkley Flower and Vegetable Show will be on August 22, and on the final Saturday, August 29, the Ilkley Parish Council Concert on The Grove, will bring the festival to a close in traditional Last Night of the Proms fashion.

Another festival highlight is set to be a concert by highly regarded British jazz vocalist, Jacqui Dankworth, at the King's Hall on Friday August 21.

Ever since the first festival, local sport has played a part in the festival. This year, in addition to the Cricket School, run by Ben Rhydding Cricket Club, which has been at the centre of the festival since its beginning, is joined by rugby action, including the appearance of the Rugby World Cup trophy.

A Tournament of Nations, involving junior rugby teams from throughout West Yorkshire, will take place at Ilkley Rugby Club, Denton Road, on Wednesday August 5, from 2pm to 6pm. The competition kicks off at 2pm, with food available and the clubhouse bar open.

But a special highlight of the day will be the appearance of the Web Ellis Cup, Rugby's greatest prize.

Ilkley will host the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour on its 100 day journey across the UK and Ireland prior to the start of the tournament in September.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of world sport’s iconic trophies, will be at Ilkley Rugby Club between 6pm and 9pm.

Full details of the Ilkley Summer Festival events can be found in the festival programme, available from Ilkley Visitor Information Centre now. Tickets for the concerts are available by calling (01943) 602319.