By Emily, Farsley Festival volunteer
In just over a week’s time a hive of activity will start to take place on Hainsworth Park as community volunteers work to set up the biggest local family event of the year: the Farsley Festival!
Having been cancelled for the last two years due to the COVID pandemic, it’s fantastic to see this free and fun event return.
The Festival team – a small group of local volunteers – have been preparing over the past few months to bring you live music, entertainment, Breeze inflatables, food stalls, tea tent, a silent disco, crafts, children’s activities, stalls and more.
Farsley Festival will run on Saturday 4 June from 12pm to 5pm.
Fiona Killen, Chair of the Farsley Community Initiative, said:
“We’re so pleased to be able to organise the Festival for the people of Farsley again – it’s always been a really great event but, this year, it seems that it’s not just a celebration for the Jubilee, it’s a celebration of coming together.
“It’s been a difficult couple of years for everyone; Farsley has a great community spirit that has pulled through together – we feel the festival, as well as the other events happening in the village, will be a real joyous occasion with special sense of connection. We hope everyone has a great time.”
Because the team enjoy community participation, anyone who is a regular to the Festival will also know the event features a community art project!
Over the past few months, local artist Alaina Dunne – also a member of the volunteer Festival team – has been running craft workshops at the Farsley Farmer’s Market, the Sunny Bank Mill gallery, the library as well as engaging with local schools and groups to be part of this year’s art installation: a fantastic colourful celebration of the houses, buildings and businesses of Farsley, go along and find yours!
Alaina Dunne, artist and Farsley Festival volunteer, said the team decided that ‘home’ would make a great theme this year for the community project. She added:
“We have spent a lot of time over the past two years in our homes so have possibly developed a different appreciation for it – be that good or otherwise.
“Asking people to create their homes allows them to think about them from a different angle: how they look and what it means to them. Home also represents, not just your physical house, but the community: your family, the people, buildings and businesses, activities, attitudes, and ideas that surround you – the place you feel you belong. We wanted to celebrate Farsley for being a home to many.
“Plus, the craft is accessible for everyone, from young to old, and allowing them to give as much or as little effort as they wanted. We think the installation is going to look fantastic!”
Thanks to the support of sponsors – including Manning Stainton, Sunny Bank Mills, The Learning Curve, Palmers Plants, Children’s Corner and Little People Nurseries, and Scrap who are offering a crown making activity in the days running up the Festival, plus funding from Leeds City Council’s Outer West Community Committee – the Farsley Festival and all its activities will be free* and inclusive for everyone in Farsley and the surrounding areas.
Cllr Peter Carlill, Councillor for Calverley and Farsley Ward and Children’s Champion for the Outer West area, said:
“It’s great to see Farsley Festival return after having been postponed for two years in a row – and even better this year as part of a wide array of events across the weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. It’s such an important and popular event for local residents, as well as attracting others to the village to support local businesses.
“Thanks to the small team who put this together, ensuring there’s something for all ages and kept entirely free of charge through donations, fundraising as well as support from local councillors and the Outer West Community Committee.”
Cllr Andrew Carter, Councillor for Calverley and Farsley Ward, said:
“The Festival on the afternoon of June 4, with a Jubilee theme, will be a great event, yet another in the events line up in Farsley. I am delighted to support and attend.”
The team aim to support local and minimise their carbon footprint so have, where possible, used the services of local businesses including designers, printers, van hire, a photographer, storage, artists, and food stalls.
The event this year ties in with a range of other activities that will be taking place in Farsley over the long bank holiday weekend to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Would you like to volunteer on the day?
The Festival team is made up of eight people and are calling for volunteers to help with activities on the day, including set up and tidy up. If you can offer any of your time on the day, please get in touch at lovefarsley@gmail.com – it will be greatly appreciated.
Find out more at farsleyfestival.co.uk or follow Farsley Festival on Facebook.
- Entry to the festival and all activities are free. Please just bring money for the food stalls, the tea tent and kind donations.
