By Jim Corah
The Kirkstall Advent Trail launch event will be held on Sunday, 1 December 2024 in conjunction with the KVDT’s Festive Market at the St Stephen’s Church Hall.
Starting at 6pm visitors will be serenaded with live music from the Leeds Big Band before the reveal of the first advent display.
As the launch will take place after the Festive Market, there will be stalls from 3pm for visitors at the event organised by the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust.
Kirkstall Advent Trail started as a means to bring the community together at the height of lockdowns during the pandemic.
Over the years 24 numbered displays reveal themselves as an advent, with star windows along the trail for followers to find. Each display is made especially for the trail, with houses, businesses and other community buildings take part. The launch event will raise money for local foodbanks. The advent trail map can be found here.
Kirkstall Art Trail this week held its annual general meeting. During the meeting the successes and areas for improvement following the event in July 2024 were discussed, with plans to implement these for the 2025 Kirkstall Art Trail which will take place on Saturday, 19 July and Sunday 20 July 2025.
The successes include the launch of a upcycling fashion show, the poetry trail and spoken word event, as well as targeted projects in areas of the Kirkstall community.
Expanding the number and breadth of art forms exhibited along with venues was also a massive achievement for the volunteers.
One area that the group are looking to explore further is increasing fundraising opportunities.
Remaining as a free event for visitors and contributors alike is a key aim of Kirkstall Art Trail as this will increase engagement, enjoyment, and education about art in our community.
Looking ahead to 2025 there will be a funding shortfall that the group are hoping to close through public donations and sponsorship from businesses and organisations.
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