Ilkley Film Society's contribution to Ilkley Arts Festival is the French film Marguerite

One of the two films released this year to be based on the story of the notoriously incompetent singer, Florence Foster Jenkins, Marguerite takes a very different approach to the British film which starred Meryl Streep & Hugh Grant.

Director Xavier Giannoli's film transposes the action to 1920s Paris, and adds many fictional events around the central, factual theme of a wealthy society lady who believed she could sing the classics despite a total inability to hit the right notes or, indeed, any notes !

Catherine Frot is marvellous in the title role, and many critics consider this to be the superior of the two films about Jenkins. Certainly the singing is even more excruciating than in Meryl Streep's fine imitation of the legendary diva.

Non-members are requested to reserve tickets (£4) by phoning Dave Howell on 01943 430097. More information www.ilkleyfilmsociety.org.uk/

Ilkley Arts Festival continues throughout November and December with lectures on arts, French culture, history and recorded music and musical performances. Many of the musical performances are free and a full brochure of events for the Arts Festival can be collected from Ilkley Library or the Tourist Information Centre.

There is a free concert by The Two Rivers Concert Band at Ilkley Baptist Church on Saturday, November 19 from 7.30pm and on Saturday, November 19 a 7pm at St Margaret's church there is a concert for choir and organ with Cantores Olicanae, marking 100 years since the end of the Battle of the Somme, with music by Elgar and G Cloke. Tickets are £10 adults, students £5 and under 14 free, from Grove Music or 830873 or at the door.

On Wednesday, November 23 Wharfedale Recorded Music meet at St John's Church Hall, Ben Rhydding from 7.45pm with a free lecture 'Unfinished Business' by Gary Midgley. On Thursday, November 24 at Church House, Ilkley Civic Society host a free lecture by Nigel Grizzard on Ilkley Moor with a Hat, the story of Ilkley's Jewish Community.

In December there will be a free organ concert at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley on Friday, December 2 from 12.30pm to 1.15pm and also on December 2 at 7.30pm at Addingham St Peter's Church House, Ilkley Camera Club will meet with a lecture by David Stradling showing images from his portfolio.

A Christmas carol concert by local schools takes place on Saturday, December 10 at Ilkley Bandstand at 3pm and also on December 10 there will be improvised sketches by junior and senior Greenroom members at Ilkley Playhouse from 10am to 11.15am.

The Arts Festival continues with events throughout December with the Festival Finale taking place at Ilkley Baptist Church on December 18 at 4pm with A Concert for the Street Children, which will see Northern Youth Choir perform, conduced by James Grifettt, in a free concert of seasonal music.