FOLLOWING the success of the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts, Ilkley Summer Festival and Ilkley Literature Festival, Ilkley Arts Festival brings together concerts, lectures and other events organised by many clubs and societies in the town.

It is a brilliant concept, showcasing what is already happening in Ilkley’s rich arts scene. The Festival benefits from funding from Ilkley Town Council and Ilkley Round Table and each participating group receives a generous subsidy, enabling it to welcome visitors to a meeting free of charge.

The Festival begins on November 2, with a free lunch-time organ recital at St Margaret’s Church by resident organist Christopher Rathbone. It ends in style on December 21 with a “Musical Christmas Carol” at 2pm at Clarke Foley. This is an afternoon free concert, featuring popular classics and carols and inviting audience participation. Come and sing along!

In between is a full programme featuring lectures on art, culture, history, civic affairs, photography and recorded music, all free to non-members of the organising societies and guests. Many events offer free refreshments as well. Subjects include the growth of a village: Wheatley to Ben Rhydding, the works of Dame Laura Knight, JC Bach, architectural photography and the delightful Provençal Christmas tradition of terracotta crib figures reflecting local characters. There will be a morning of free performances at Ilkley Playhouse by members of the Junior and Senior Greenrooms. A number of the concerts are also free, notably the Two Rivers Concert Band on December 8 at the Baptist Church, and Bradford Concert Band on the Grove Bandstand on November 24. There will be Art and Gift Fairs at the Manor house on the evening of November 30 and all day on the December 1 and 2.

A few events do require tickets – all modestly priced. Ilkley Choral Society celebrates Armistice 100 on the eve of Remembrance Day with music and poems at St Margaret’s. On the day itself, Ilkley Film Society is showing the classic drama Journey’s End at the Playhouse. Cantores Olicanae are performing twice: at St Margaret’s on 17 November with Handel and Vivaldi and at St John’s, Ben Rhydding, on December 15 with seasonal music including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.

Ilkley Arts Federation president, Keith Hartley, is a great advocate of Ilkley’s arts scene and supports all the Festival events in person. As he told the Gazette: "See at firsthand what Ilkley has to offer you in the arts during this festival and be entertained."

Copies of the programme are available from Ilkley Visitor Information Centre and at various points around the town. They contain details of times, venues and organisers.

Please note: Alex Cockshott’s lecture “Ilkley and the Great War” on November 22 will take place at Christchurch, not Church House, owing to building works.