OTLEY has enjoyed a bustling 2018 Folk Festival.

This year’s Black Sheep Brewery sponsored event saw venues across town filled with the sound of singing and music last weekend.

Big names including Ashley Hutchings, Granny’s Attic, Lucy Ward, and Daphne’s Flight delighted the audiences - and the streets of Otley were busy too.

Flamboyantly attired Morris sides held dances at various outdoor spots, while jam sessions featuring guitars, fiddles and mandolins went down a treat at local pubs.

Otley Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson was one of those out enjoying the fun.

He said: “I was delighted to join the many locals and visitors for the weekend’s entertainment and, as ever, it didn’t fail to please.

“The town council is a proud sponsor of the folk festival and again thanks to all the volunteers, musicians and dancers who make the event a success - and to Steve Fairholme and his team who work all year round to create what has become an important annual fixture in Otley’s cultural calendar.

“My personal highlight was very local this year - a special unplugged set from Jon Palmer, with Wendy Ross on the violin and Ricky Silvers on the bass, in the intimate setting of the Woolpack Studio, which proved to be a popular new venue.

“As ever, the sounds and sights of music and dancing filled Otley’s pubs which is always a key element of the festival atmosphere.”

The festival’s organisers, posting on Facebook, said: “What a fantastic weekend, big thank you to the artists, dancers, stewards, sound crews and all of you that came for making it so.

“See you next year!”

Organiser Steve Fairholme, of Otley Folk Club, added: “The festival was fantastic, it went really well and we had more people than we’ve had for a couple of years - we’ve also had lots of appreciative emails and positive feedback.

“It was only the weather, at times, that stopped more people being out on the streets but even then we had two to three hundred watching outside the Woolpack which was great.

“I managed to see, or catch a bit of, pretty much every concert and all of the artists gave their all.

“For me the highlights were Daphne’s Flight, who were excellent at the Methodist Hall om Sunday, and the Saturday night show at the Parish Church with Steve Tilston, Lucy Ward and Granny’s Attic.

“The performances, sound and lighting were all just brilliant.”

As always a host of local artists also performed this year, and were cheered on by appreciative audiences.

They included Plumhall, Yan Tan Tether, Duncan McFarlane, Limezcurvy, The Hall Brothers and Stuart and Paula Tindall.

Black Sheep Brewery, Tweeting after the festival’s conclusion on Sunday, said: “Well done to the amazing team @OtleyFF for throwing another great festival.

“Such a pleasure to be involved in this awesome event.”

The festival used to be based at Otley Civic Centre before it was closed in 2010.

Since then it has adapted to spread its artists around town at various venues which this year included The Black Horse, Otley Parish Church, Otley Methodist Hall, Otley Labour Rooms, the Courthouse and Woolpack Studios.

This year’s festival was the first to be held following the closure of Korks Wine Bar - formerly the home of Otley Folk Club - at the end of 2017.