Here is the latest newsletter for my followers to peruse:
 | Creative Kirklees
Latest Events, News and Opportunities
Wednesday, July 8th | This week, we’re delighted to tell you how you can have your say on the future of culture in Kirklees! What do you think culture should mean for our district? Everyone is invited – whether you live in Kirklees, work or own a business here, or just visit us regularly - to have their say on the proposed Cultural Strategy. You can do this online, or by attending one of the in-person consultation drop-ins on 9 and 16 July. Also, there is a great opportunity to attend the next Dewsbury Culture Lab at the Dewsbury Arcade Pop-up on Thursday 9 July and the Ashbrow Culture Lab on Tuesday 14 July when you can connect with others, explore new possibilities and help shape cultural activity and action in your local area. Whether you're an artist, community organiser, volunteer, local group, young person or simply someone who cares about your neighbourhood, they'd love to welcome you. Now that summer has well and truly arrived with the amazing weather, there are some equally amazing activities going on in the area. Coming up this Saturday (11 July) the Livefields Festival is back at Oakwell Hall, bringing fans from all over the country to celebrate the legacy of legendary music icons. Returning for its third iteration, also on Saturday, the Ink Spill Festival brings with it an incredible programme - celebrating the poetic talent of Huddersfield and its surrounding areas at the Head of Steam in St George’s Square. And if you haven’t yet visited Holmfirth Art Week, one of the UK’s largest Open Art Exhibitions, featuring well over 400 exhibitors and over 2,000 artworks, plus 50 Fringe venues you still have chance as this runs until Saturday (11 July). As ever, these are just a few examples of what’s going on – do keep checking in on our websites! www.creativekirklees.com and www.musicinkirklees.co.uk |
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|  | Meet Award-Winning Crime Novelist and Screenwriter AA Dhand | Wed, 8.7.2026 19:30 - 21:00 | Meet award-winning crime novelist and screenwriter A.A. Dhand, at Huddersfield Town Hall as he discusses his latest thriller. Read more |
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 | Dewsbury Culture Lab returns! | Thu, 9.7.2026 15:00 - 18:00 | Join the Dewsbury Culture Lab on Thursday 9 July to continue exploring how culture can shape the future of the town. Read more |
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| |  | Annie Montgomerie: Missies and Nippers | Sat, 11.7.2026 09:00 - Sun, 1.11.2026 18:00 | Following her sell-out show Hand Me Downs in 2022, Annie Montgomerie will be back next summer with a new exhibition Missies and Nippers. Read more |
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 | Family Fun Day | Sat, 11.7.2026 12:00 - 18:00 | Fun for all the family with a Caribbean Vibe, Food, Drink, Stalls, Rides, Music, and fun activities. Read more |
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| |  | Livefields Festival 2026 | Sat, 11.7.2026 12:00 - 23:00 | Livefields Festival features the UK’s top tribute acts at Oakwell Hall Read more |
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 | Ink Spill Poetry Festival 2026 | Sat, 11.7.2026 13:00 - 22:00 | Join us for a jam-packed day of poetry goodness, including workshops, spotlight poets and our third slam! Read more |
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| |  | Summer in the Courtyard | Fri, 10.7.2026 18:00 - 21:00 | Our Outdoor Summer Festival is back! Read more |
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 | Bren Head: SIMULACRUM | Sat, 4.7.2026 00:00 - Sat, 15.8.2026 00:00 | The Long Wall Gallery is proud to present Bren Head’s evocative portraits and figurative works as part of Holmfirth Artweek. Read more |
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| |  | Holmfirth Artweek 2026 | Sun, 5.7.2026 10:00 - Sat, 11.7.2026 16:00 | One of the UK’s Largest Open Art Exhibitions, Featuring over 400 exhibitors and over 2,000 artworks, plus 50 Fringe venues across the local area with ... Read more |
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 | Bands in the Park - Honley Silver Band | Sun, 12.7.2026 14:00 - 16:00 | Come on down to the Greenhead Park bandstand on Sunday 12 July at 2pm for some traditional brass band music with Honley Silver Band, a well-establi ... Read more |
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| |  | One Heart Many Beats | Sun, 12.7.2026 16:00 - 18:30 | Celebrating 10 years of uplifting harmony Read more |
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 | Join the Ashbrow Culture Lab! | Tue, 14.7.2026 16:30 - 19:00 | Ashbrow Culture Lab are bringing people together to explore what makes Ashbrow special and imagine what could happen next. Read more |
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| |  | Exploring Local Anglo-Saction Priest Way with Kirkheaton History Group | Tue, 14.7.2026 19:30 - 21:30 | Explore Local Anglo-Saxon Priest Way at this Virtual Walk with Kirkheaton History Society at Kirkheaton Community Centre. Read more |
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 | Arts At The Arms 2026 | Wed, 15.7.2026 20:00 - 22:20 | Arts at the Arms brings its trademark mix of theatre, comedy, poetry and music to Lawrence Batley Theatre – all created and performed by talented arti ... Read more |
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| |  | SisterHudd Showcase | Fri, 17.7.2026 19:00 - 22:30 | A night dedicated to uplifting women artists, sharing stories, and building community! Read more |
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 | Music in an English Country Garden | Sat, 18.7.2026 14:00 - 17:00 | Enjoy a relaxed summer afternoon as Holme Valley Orchestra brings live music to the beautiful gardens of Banney Royd Hall. Bring a chair, settle under ... Read more |
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| |  | ETC presents: Our Land (12A) | Sat, 18.7.2026 19:30 - 22:00 | Our Land (2026) is a UK documentary directed by Orban Wallace that explores land ownership, access, and social inequality in the British countryside. Read more |
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 | Historic Kirkburton Walk and Graveyard | Sun, 19.7.2026 14:30 - 16:30 | A guided walk with Kirkburton History Group on a walk around the oldest part of Kirkburton to discover the history of the buildings. Read more |
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| |  | Holmfirth Pride 2026 | Sat, 25.7.2026 10:30 - 23:59 | Join us on Saturday 25 July 2026 as Holmfirth Pride returns for its second year, bringing together our community for a joyful celebration of love, equ ... Read more |
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 | Onwards Festival 2026 | Sat, 25.7.2026 12:30 - 23:59 | A roaming musical spectacular. This year’s Onwards Festival promises an unforgettable musical journey, transforming the picturesque Colne Valley in ... Read more |
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|  | Etching on Zinc with Hard Ground & Spit Bite at West Yorkshire Print Workshop with Catherine Horner | Sat, 11.7.2026 10:00 - 16:00 | +1 | Join printmaker and avid etcher Catherine Horner in a two-day workshop, working with zinc plates and focusing on combining the illustrative nature of ... Read more |
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 | Lino Printing Taster Day | Sun, 12.7.2026 10:00 - 17:00 | Indulge your creativity with this taster day- an exciting opportunity to work with our tutor Fiona Sharpe, using a vintage albion press to produce you ... Read more |
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| |  | Tiffany Landscapes Silk Painting Workshop | Sun, 12.7.2026 13:30 - 16:00 | This hands-on workshop shows you how to achieve soft, watercolour-like effect and the luminous colours of a Tiffany-style stained glass landscape whil ... Read more |
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 | Hot Glass Bead Making | Tue, 14.7.2026 11:30 - 15:30 | Join Zoe for a day of hot glass bead making! Read more |
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| |  | New VIBE Singing/Music Group - Huddersfield | Wed, 15.7.2026 14:30 - 15:30 | Serendipity and HerSpace welcome everyone to come and join our new 2 weekly singing/music group. Read more |
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 | Stamping Stories: Rubber Printing and Artist Books 2 days at West Yorkshire Print Workshop | Fri, 17.7.2026 10:30 - 16:30 | +1 | Join guest tutor and printmaker Stephen Fowler for a fun-filled two-day workshop exploring the creative possibilities of rubber stamping and artist bo ... Read more |
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| |  | Songs for the Stars | Tue, 21.7.2026 18:00 - 19:30 | +1 | Music in the great outdoors in the welcoming surroundings of the Growing Space allotment in Dalton. Read more |
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 | Quilt Huddersfield July | Thu, 23.7.2026 11:00 - 15:00 | Learn to use your fabric scraps to make a beautiful quilt. No scraps? Don't worry I've got loads! Read more |
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|  | Have your say on the future of culture in Kirklees | What do you think culture should mean for Kirklees? We’re inviting everyone – whether you live in Kirklees, work or own a business here, or just vi ... Read more |
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 | West Yorkshire Creative Health Workforce Survey! | You are invited to take part in the West Yorkshire Creative Health Workforce Survey! Participate to be in with a chance of winning one of four £50 Lov ... Read more |
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| |  | Paddock Orchestra Appoints New Music Director | Paddock Orchestra has announced Peter Simons of Musica Kirklees as its new Musical Director. Read more |
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 | Yorkshire Day returns to Oakwell Hall | Yorkshire Day returns to Oakwell Hall on Sunday 2 August 2026, 11am - 6 pm Read more |
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| Opportunities to watch out for |
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|  | Arts Council England: The Supporting Grassroots Music programme Next Deadline 23 July | The funding aims to help artists, bands and music professionals build sustainable careers while developing new audiences. Read more |
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 | Kirklees Tapestry Project to Celebrate the Enduring Legacy of the Windrush Generation | Help shape the artwork by sharing what stories and symbols you believe should be represented in the tapestry Read more |
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| |  | British Council - Connections Through Culture Grants Deadline 12 August | The funding is intended to support new collaborative projects between artists, creative practitioners, cultural professionals and arts organisations, ... Read more |
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 | Performance Short Film Competition Deadline 30 July | To encourage film makers in their creative endeavours. Its objectives are: Helping to get more projects made through the provision of financial prize ... Read more |
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