First Farnley Fest brings community together

By Peter Allison

Farnley Community Centre’s first-ever Farnley Fest has been hailed a huge success after around 380 people came together for an afternoon of music, entertainment, food and community spirit.

Held on Saturday, August 15, Farnley Fest was organised by the volunteers behind Farnley Community Centre as a celebration of the local community and a chance for residents to come together, have fun and support their local charity.

With the sun shining, the Village Green and community centre were filled throughout the afternoon with families, children, residents and visitors enjoying a programme of activities, food, stalls, games and entertainment.

The event featured nine stallholders, with a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Among them was Debbie Kemp, representing the Andrew Kemp Memorial, raising money towards the installation and maintenance of lifesaving defibrillators in the community.

The cause carried particular significance for Farnley Community Centre.

Just the previous week, the centre’s own defibrillator had been deployed during a medical emergency in the community in which it helped save a life.

One of the unexpected highlights of the afternoon was Karaoke on the Green, which proved hugely popular with both children and adults.

The karaoke became about much more than simply singing.

Children took to the microphone in front of the crowd, with families, friends and other members of the community cheering them on and encouraging them as they performed their favourite songs.

There was also a very special guest at Farnley Fest, with Ronnie the Rhino from Leeds Rhinos making an appearance.

Ronnie spent time mingling with visitors, getting his groove on and posing for photographs with children and adults alike.

He even managed to find time for a little bit of local political star-spotting, stopping to pose for a photograph with local MP Mark Sewards, who came along to show his support for the event.

There was plenty to keep visitors entertained throughout the afternoon, with games and activities for all ages.

The centre also provided a range of freshly prepared, affordable food, alongside some of the more traditional festival treats.

The ice creams and candy floss proved particularly popular, especially with the children enjoying the warm summer weather.

Although money was raised through the sale of food and refreshments, organisers say the purpose of the event was not simply about fundraising.

Instead, it was about going back to the roots of what a community centre should be.

Farnley Community Centre is a charity, and the team wanted the festival to be an opportunity to give something back to the community that supports it throughout the year.

Peter Allison the Chair & Trustee for Farnley Community Centre said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better first Farnley Fest. Around 380 people came through the event, the weather was fantastic and the atmosphere was absolutely brilliant.

“What really made it special was seeing people from the community coming together and supporting each other.

“Karaoke on the Green was a perfect example. Seeing a three-year-old getting up and singing in front of everyone, and then watching the crowd encourage them, was fantastic.

“It wasn’t about whether people could sing. It was about giving people the confidence to have a go and knowing that their community was behind them.

“That’s what Farnley Fest was really about.”

The organisers were also keen to recognise the 20 volunteers who helped make the event possible.

The centre also thanked the nine stallholders who supported the event, as well as McDonald’s Bramley for their kind donation and Neil at Greggs for his generous donation.

The hope is to bring Farnley Fest back in 2027, bigger and better, building on the experience of the first event while keeping the same community-focused spirit.

For the volunteers behind Farnley Community Centre, the success of Farnley Fest wasn’t simply measured by attendance, it was about showing what can happen when a community comes together.