A carnival which dates back to the 19th century is being revived in West Leeds this summer.
Bramley Carnival will return for its first event since 2014 – and has been rebranded as Bramley Festival.
The event will be held on the weekend of 19th and 20th August 2017 at Bramley Park. A fun fair will run on the Saturday with the fair and festival on the Sunday.
Bramley resident Stephen McBarron is one of the volunteers behind bringing back the popular annual event, which used to draw thousands to Bramley Park. Mr McBarron said:
“I kept reading people on social media asking when Bramley Carnival was coming back, there’s definitely a demand for it. Other people had tried to revive the event over the past couple of years, but nothing came of it so I thought I’d grab the bull by the horns.
“The aim is to make this an annual event on the same weekend each year going forwards.”
Mr McBarron said the 2017 Bramley Festival will be dedicated to the memory of Terry Knapton, who organised the Bramley Carnival for many years until his untimely death in 2014. He added:
“We’ve secured the participation and support of Marshall Waddington Fairgrounds, who have a long association with the old Bramley Carnival.
“What we need now are ideas from local people about what they’d like to see at the event and expressions of interest from potential stall holders and local groups who might like to participate on the big day itself.”
The Bramley Festival group has secured funding from Leeds City Council and have a bid for Lottery funding pending.
Local councillors and Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves have also lent their support and former MP John Battle and Bramley Councillor Ted Hanley have agreed to act as patrons for the event.
Anyone with ideas or who wants to get involved with Bramley Festival can contact festival organiser Mr McBarron on 07411 299389 or email him on stevemcbarron90@gmail.com.