Friday, 22 May 2026

Things to do this Bank Holiday weekend in Leeds, Bradford, London, Scotland, Ireland and more

Got plans for the Bank Holiday? Here are a few ideas:

Leeds International Beer Festival

Hi 

Leeds International Beer Festival is back for its fourteenth edition from 3-6th September 2026!

Returning to the stunning setting of Kirkstall Abbey, this year's festival brings together an exceptional line-up of UK and international breweries, alongside the very best in local independent food, live music and DJ-sets - making it an event not to be missed. 

Across six lively sessions over four days, the festival takes over the entire abbey. From the breath-taking church to the central cloister and atmospheric chapter house, you'll be able to sip craft beers and ciders, enjoy delicious street food, and soak up the atmosphere in one of the country’s best-preserved Cistercian monasteries.

Tickets are on sale now - secure yours today. Choose individual sessions or go all in with the popular Festival Pass for access to all six sessions.

See you there! 🍻
Leeds International Beer Festival

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KEEP IN TOUCH

For the latest news and updates about the Leeds International Beer Festival, including brewery announcements and the ever-popular Family Day please visit leedsbeer.com or follow us on Instagram and on Facebook.

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BRAND NEW ARTWORK

In the meantime, take a look at the stunning new 2026 festival posters, created by the acclaimed local artist, Drew Millward.

LEEDS INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL
""

Leeds International Beer Festival is part of Leeds Ticket Hub, the city's cultural ticket office: Leeds Ticket Hub, Carriageworks Theatre, The Electric Press, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 3AD.



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City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council · Bradford Council · City Hall · Bradford · BD1 1HY
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Dee, Bradford Libraries

Bradford Libraries Events and Activities

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

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It's Bank Holiday Weekend!

We know you like to stay informed of what's going on in our libraries.

For events across ALL our libraries (because, after all, you are welcome at ANY of them) please follow our Bradford Libraries Facebook page here; Facebook

In today's bulletin we share news of;

  • A fascinating historical talk at Bradford Local Studies Library
  • Bradford Open Mic
  • Crime, Coffee and Cake at Wyke LIbrary

Orchidmania - Orchids and exotic fruit growing locally

pineapple

Did you know that pineapples once grewn near Saltaire? We didn't either!🍍🍍🍍
Do you LOVE learning new things? Are you a fan of quirky historical stories?
‘Orchidmania’ was a craze that swept through England in Victorian times, a time when these flowers were considered ultimate status symbols.
Members of the Salt family 'caught' the bug and grew exotic orchids; they also grew exotic fruit - such as pineapples!
Tish Lawson was Bradford Archivist for many years and is a well-known local historian and she will be giving a talk for Bradford Local History Lectures at Bradford Local Studies Library on May 28th at 11.30am.
These talks are supported by members of FoBALS (Friends of Bradford Archives & Local Studies) with Bradford Local Studies Library and West Yorkshire Archives Bradford.
These are FREE but booking is essential. Telephone 01274 433688, Email local.studies@bradford.gov.uk.

Open Mic at City Library

The next #Bradford Open Mic will be held on Wednesday 3rd June at Bradford City Library. 7pm to 9pm.
Join us to share your poetry or to come, listen and enjoy.
Theme for the Timed Poetry Challenge for this month is...
GOING SOMEWHERE.
Write a poem of 30 or 60 seconds to take part and win an incredible prize!
Spread the word, see you there!

Crime, Coffee and Cake at Wyke Library

crime coffee and cake wyke

Wyke Library, Wyke, BD12 8AL

Tuesday 2nd June 2026
Join us for on our Crime, Coffee and Cake tour as part of Crime Reading Month.

Enjoy coffee (or tea) and cake and conversation with RC Bridgestock - RC Bridgestock is the name that husband and wife co-authors Robert (Bob) and Carol Bridgestock write under. 

Between them, they have nearly 50 years of police experience, offering an authentic edge to their stories. Former Head of CID Bob Bridgestock is now an international best selling author, along with his wife Carol who also worked for West Yorkshire Police.
In the last three yrs of his 30 years service, Bob took charge of 26 murders, 24 major incidents, over 50 suspicious deaths and numerous sexual assaults; he was a Force Negotiator for kidnap, extortion, suicide intervention and terrorism.

Carol and Bob were voted WHS Readers #8 Best Crime Writers Of All Time.

The pair are credited storyline consultants/police procedure for BAFTA winning BBC1 police drama Happy Valley, as well as Scott & Bailey and Britbox original The Beast Must Die.

There will certainly be lots to talk about!!
You can book this event by clicking on the link below. 
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Cody Dahler

The State of This

02 - 09 Nov

The satirist and political writer will be joined on stage by fascinating special guest hosts discussing his book and answering your political questions head-on, whether they be deep, dumb or deranged.   

Brian Blessed’s 90th Birthday Bash

22 Nov

  

As he enters his tenth decade, Brian Blessed looks back on his extraordinary career: from scaling mountains to treading the boards. Don’t miss it. Presented in partnership with How To Academy.

Betwixt the Sheets LIVE  

with Dr Kate Lister 

23 & 25 May 

Last Chance

  

Join the historian for a riotously entertaining and equally enlightening evening as she brings her podcast Betwixt the Sheets LIVE to the stage. Kate will leave you laughing, wincing, and thinking—just how far have we really come?   

Wankernomics: Show_ 

V4.1_FINAL_USETHIS 

01 - 23 Nov 

  

With two sell-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and 50 million+ online views, this hilarious new show is a must-see: A Q&A-style thought-leadership driven best-in-class deep-dive unpacking the many ways corporate bullsh*ttery is taking over the world, and your life. 

Lenny Henry 

Still at Large 

21 May - 03 Nov 

  

Part stand-up, part storytelling, and part conversation with himself (and with you), Lenny returns to the experiences that shaped him while also exploring the challenges and creative sparks driving him today. 

An Evening with Susie Wolff: Driven 

29 Jun - 02 Jul 

  

From the driver’s seat to the boardroom, Susie offers a rare, first-hand look at motorsport at its highest level. Hear the inspirational story of a woman determined not just to compete—but to redefine the race. 

An Evening with Jenson Button 

06 & 08 Jul 

  

5 Grand Prix wins, 50 podium finishes, and winning the 2009 world title with Brawn GP, Jenson’s is one of the most extraordinary against-all-odds stories in sporting history—he promises a fresh insight into a career like no other. 

A Conversation with Candice Carty-Williams 

09 Jul 

  

Scalpel-sharp and poignant, the bestselling author of Queenie shines a dazzling light on the realities of being a woman today. You'll have the chance ask your own questions and the event will be followed by a book signing. 

Lemn Sissay 

Let the Light Pour in LIVE 

20 Sep - 09 Nov 

  

Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA award-winning author, activist, performer, and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he returns to the stage with this acclaimed show. 

Sasha Velour's "Travesty"

29 May

  

Internationally beloved drag icon Sasha Velour (RuPaul’s Drag Race) returns with Travesty, part performance art, part history, part call to action. It will have you screaming, dancing, and inspired to “change the muthaf*ckin’ world!” Presented by Kilimanjaro Live.

Miriam's Full English LIVE 

01 Sep - 07 Dec 

“Only death is going to shut me up.” 85 this week and Miriam Margolyes couldn’t give a monkey’s what anyone thinks!

If you want more pearls of wisdom, this Autumn she’s back on stage with stories from her new book Miriam’s Full English, naughty confessions, and a Q&A where nothing is off-limits.

The Weekly Wrap at Fane

 

General or Ticket Queries

faneonline@fane.co.uk

Find out more visit fane.co.uk

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May 22, 2026   |   

 

 

Dear Reader,

This week, I couldn't help but handover my thoughts of the week to Daisy Finer, a wise old soul whose work as a journalist in the wellness space is highly regarded. We're currently working on our wellness guide, which will be published in our July/Aug issue but our conversations have resonated deeply with me. Wellness has become about optimisation: plugging in, measuring, monitoring and constantly improving, all with gear and products that we wear and ingest costing hundreds to thousands of pounds. What are we doing to ourselves? Did our grandmothers worry about regulating their nervous systems? No, they did it unknowingly by 'watching birds, hanging laundry out to dry, feeling the wind on their skin, chatting over long happy lunches and eating cheese made by a local farmer. They weren't optimising. They were simply living in contact with the world.' How true does this ring – and how far do we feel from it? This is what we'll be unearthing in our next issue. I can't wait to share it with you.

Lucy Cleland
Editorial Director

 

 

Staying In

 

WATCH: Two Weeks In August

There is nothing quite like the promise of two weeks in the sun… That is until it all goes wrong. Launching tomorrow evening on BBC One, Two Weeks in August promises sun, secrets, and a slow-burn spiral, written and created by Catherine Shepherd – the writer behind series like Sally4Ever (2018) and The Shrink Next Door (2021). As Catherine recently told C&TH, we should: ‘Expect a thrilling ride. And to laugh, I hope. I think it’s really funny. It’s exciting, it’s emotional, but I hope really entertaining and fun.’ It’s being dubbed the British version of The White Lotus, and we can’t wait. Double bill from 9pm on Saturday on BBC One and iPlayer.

DO: Get Your Garden In Shape For Summer

London is alive with the signs of spring – and be it the iconic gravity-defiant wisteria that clads W11 townhouses, or the sculptural displays at Chelsea in Bloom, there are plentiful reminders to get outside at home, too. Henry Bartlam is the green thumb behind Dragons Den-approved Dig Club – i.e. ‘the Hello Fresh for gardens’. If you’re just getting started, he suggests ‘taking time to understand your space both in terms of light and with a soil test’. The latter, he says, sounds ‘menacing’, but it’s not: it’s as simple as digging a patch up and ‘if it sticks, it’s probably clay and you need plants that don’t mind having wet feet. If it’s really sandy, you need drought-tolerant ones.’ His recent book (written with co-founder Alexandra Hollingsworth) might be worth a gander if you’re feeling garden-shy. 

 

 

EAT: Tarragon & Tomato Olive Tart

A summer tart recipe from Ella Risbridger’s new cookbook, The Kitchen Book.

Ingredients:

For the pastry:

  • 60g really nice olive oil

  • 160g plain flour

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

  • 1 egg

OR

  • 1 sheet best puff pastry

For the strained yoghurt:

  • 1 garlic clove 

  • 10g chives

  • 400g goat's yoghurt (or plain Greek yoghurt)

  • Zest of 1 lemon (save the juice, squeeze over green salad to serve alongside)

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 2 tablespoons really good olive oil

For the topping:

  • 200g tomatoes

  • 2 tablespoons really nice olive oil

  • 100g kalamata olives (to blitz)

  • + 50g kalamata olives (keep whole)

  • 2 tablespoons olive brine from the jar

  • 2 big garlic cloves

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 20g tarragon

  • 20g basil

Method:

  1. Start with the pastry, if making it yourself. At least an hour before you want to start, put the oil and 50ml water in the fridge.

  2. Stir together the oil, flour, salt and vinegar. Slowly add the ice cold water to make a supple and not-too-sticky pastry. Shape into a block and roll out to about the thickness of a pound coin: I do this between two sheets of greaseproof paper. Lift onto a baking sheet and freeze flat.

  3. Brush the frozen pastry with beaten egg, and – once frozen, and ready to prepare the tart – bake at 180°c for 20 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.

  4. While the pastry is chilling (either time), make the strained yoghurt. Crush the garlic, finely chop the chives and mix through the yoghurt, along with the lemon zest and salt. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. If you have it, line the sieve with muslin. If not, it’s ok! Either way, spoon the yoghurt into the sieve, and let strain for as long as possible. Ripple through the olive il just before serving – don’t stir it in completely.

  5. Also while the pastry is chilling, blitz together the tomatoes, olive oil, olive brine, olives, garlic and red wine vinegar to make a chunky and delicious sauce.

  6. De-stem and lightly tear soft herbs, tear the reserved olives into pieces.

  7. Assemble the tart, on baking sheet: spread soft dollops of olive-oil rippled goat’s yoghurt across the pastry. Tomato topping. Herbs everywhere. Olives everywhere.

  8. Serve with green salad, dressed only with the leftover juice of the lemon. Maybe – maybe – a little more olive oil.

The Kitchen Book by Ella Risbridger (published by 4th Estate, 21st May, £26 hbk), imagery by Yuki Sugiura

 

Going Out

 

ATTEND: Glyndebourne

Calling all opera fans, Glyndebourne Festival is gracing us once again this year. Set in the picturesque Sussex countryside, the opera festival returns with a mix of productions alongside one of the best-known traditions in the performing arts: the long dinner interval in the gardens. New for this year, the programme includes the company’s first ever productions of Puccini’s Tosca and Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, the latter directed by internationally acclaimed artist and opera director William Kentridge. A new production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos also joins the repertoire, alongside the return of Michael Grandage’s acclaimed staging of Britten’s Billy Budd. Until 30 August, glyndebourne.com

BOOK: London’s Floating Jazz Club

London’s only floating jazz club is back for two nights this bank holiday weekend (ahead of the summer season commencing later this year) – and there are six musicians on the bill. Artist in residence Olivia Swann headlines both sessions (Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May), joined by vocalists Wura Abimbola and Inés Nassara, pianists Will Barry and Fraser Urquhart, with Jack Garside on upright bass from Mark Kavuma’s Banger Factory. All this on a floating pontoon in the pretty marina of St. Katharine Docks, right by the Tower of London. Guests can expect picturesque views, plush seating, a complimentary glass of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee on arrival plus warm blankets for when the evening cools. Tickets are £27.80 pp. Book Saturday here or Sunday here. 

VISIT: Blenheim Palace Food Festival

The majestic Blenheim Palace is a fine setting for a food festival. Head there this weekend to enjoy three days of artisan food and wine tasting, plus live demos, workshops and Q&As with top chefs: this year’s line-up includes Raymond Blanc OBE, British-Iranian chef Sabrina Ghayour and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family, alongside a picnic area and an array of local and national food stalls. 23 – 25 May, blenheimpalace.com

 

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Staying in Forever…

Property Of The Week

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice is the best period drama ever made. And now’s your chance to buy-up a Jane Austen worthy manor of your own, as the estate which starred as Charles Bingley’s Netherfield Park is up for sale. Take a look inside.

On the market for £45m, search.savills.com

 

Competition Time

  1. Win a stay at The Fish hotel in the Cotswolds

  2. Win a year’s supply of Wild Deodorant

  3. Win a four-night bed and breakfast stay at Calabash Hotel in Grenada

 

Psssst…

The Michelin green star, an award which highlights impressive eco-friendly restaurants, is being phased out – with all 37 eateries boasting the accolade set to lose their stars at the end of 2026. However, a new initiative is launching in its place: Mindful Voices, which will ‘highlight and share the stories and pioneering practices of chefs, hoteliers and wine producers’.

 

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Explore Ireland's landscapes

The island of Ireland may be small, but it has some of the most impactful landscapes in the world. Whether you're exploring the coast or walking among its mountains, this land will leave you transformed.

IRELAND ADVENTURES
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The coast is calling

With picturesque blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and rugged waves, the Emerald Island's beautiful coastal towns and beaches are a playground for surfers, boaters, and adventure seekers.

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Where to stay

Where to stay

Get a taste of that famously warm Irish welcome at these amazing places to stay, from chic hotels to stylish hostels.

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Hit the road in Ireland

Hit the road in Ireland

The island's coast-hugging driving routes and quiet country roads make it ideal for road-trippers. Here's what you need to know.

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Wondering why everyone is wearing green? Or why the shops are closed? We love a public holiday in Ireland – here's what you need to know.

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Enjoy a touch of class in Belfast

What do you imagine when you picture a luxury hotel? Opulent elegance? 5-star service? Fine dining? Belfast’s got you covered with its superb range of high-end hotels.

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The secret Sperrins

With soft green valleys, shimmering fields and wonderful wildlife – the Sperrins are one of the island of Ireland's largest upland areas, and one of our best kept secrets.

IRELAND IN SUMMER
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Something for everyone

Whether you seek culture, outdoor adventure, or a bit of craic (fun!) at local pubs, Ireland's diverse array of enjoyment shines in the summer. How will you experience the Emerald Isle?

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10 fun facts about Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is much more than a pretty face, it's got incredible legends, endless culture, unique cities and tasty food to boot! And that's a fact...

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Ireland's "Stairway to Heaven"

At the heart of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark, you’ll find the Cuilcagh Boardwalk, one of the most breathtaking trails on the island.

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10 top Northern Ireland experiences

10 top Northern Ireland experiences

Fantastic food tours, Titanic trails and even walking on water!

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Perched on stunning coastlines, nestled in lush valleys or conveniently placed in the heart of the city – wherever they are, Northern Ireland’s hotels are nothing short of perfect.

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PLAN DAYS OUT AT LOCOMOTION THIS MAY

Celebrate the power of movement with circus performances, bubbles and train rides between Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May.

See what's on and start planning perfect days out for the whole family today! 

MAY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES ⬇️

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CIRCUS SKILLS

TUESDAY 26 - THURSDAY 28 MAY | 11.00 - 15.00

Enjoy amazing aerial performances and learn new skills in our free circus skills workshops with Let's Circus!

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BRILLIANT BUBBLES

FRIDAY 29 MAY | 11,00, 13.00 & 15.00

The Bubble Whisperer is back, bringing a touch of magic to the museum. See spectacular giant bubbles and see if you can catch one as they swirl through the air! 

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FAMILY ACTIVITIES

SATURDAY 23 - SUNDAY 31 MAY | ALL DAY

Drop in and get creative with free, fun, family activities. Create a colourful spinning plate and see how it moves through the air, or craft your own paper windmill! 

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TRAIN RIDES ARE BACK

SATURDAY 23 - MONDAY 25 MAY &
SATURDAY 30 - SUNDAY 31 MAY

Climb aboard our Replica Stephenson's Rocket and travel along our historic passenger railway line! 

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EARLY BIRD TICKETS COMING SOON

 To say thank you for your continued support by subscribing to our newsletter, we're giving you exclusive Early Bird access to our Summer Festival tickets!

Make sure to keep an eye on your inbox on Wednesday 27 May to be among the first to secure Flying Scotsman train ride, Footplate Experience and Cab Access tickets.

EVENTS IN JUNE ⬇️

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SHILDON MODEL RAILWAY CLUB EXHIBITION

SATURDAY 6 - SUNDAY 7 JUNE

Explore the world of railways in miniature with a range of layouts in a variety of gauges, with detailed model locomotives winding their way through beautiful small-scale landscapes.

Browse trade stands offering all you need to build your own layout, and chat to passionate specialists about the hobby too! 

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FREE BUS RALLY

SUNDAY 21 JUNE

See a display of over 20 buses at the Yesterbus Classic Rally this June! 

Enjoy a classic bus mystery tour of the local area, hear tunes from a classic fair organ, and don't miss Binchester Ukulele Group performing at 13.00! 

Christina Alden and Alex Patterson
Sat 30 May, 7.30pm
Christina Alden & Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from Norwich. Their music is rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving. Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
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They have enjoyed touring extensively in the UK and Europe; including a twenty- three-date concert hall tour with Show of Hands (including Union Chapel and St David’s Hall Cardiff), a show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Celtic Connections, headline and main stage performances at some of the UK’s most prestigious folk festivals and performances in Norway, Belgium, France and Ireland. They have written and self-released four albums, composed music for a BBC Radio 4 documentary series and have had over a million streams on Spotify.
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 ‘A milestone for contemporary folk songwriting’ - Bright Young Folk

'Gorgeous harmonies and lush melodies...a beautiful album that transports the listener to wild landscapes and wild lives' - BBC Countryfile

'A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of a summer folk festival' - The Guardian
 
‘Perfectly matched harmonies...at times it’s hard to tell them apart, you could be listening to a single voice’ - Folk Radio Uk
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