ORGANISERS of Keighley Arts and Film Festival have hailed the event as a success.

They say more than 3,000 people visited at least one activity during the extravaganza.

The festival was held at venues across the town, between last Friday and Sunday (October 8 to 10).

Over 120 performers and artists took part in the packed programme, featuring 33 events.

Behind the initiative was arts charity Keighley Creative, with volunteers organising and staffing most of the activities.

Jan Smithies, for Keighley Creative, said: “Some of the pre-booking events had extensive waiting lists for tickets – for example, more than 100 for the Royal Arcade actor-led tours. This showed there is interest in local history, especially when delivered in an accessible way.

“We also had lots of people at the six pre-festival lantern-making workshops.

“Feedback about the events was very positive. There was a great partnership with the main venues, such as Cliffe Castle museum and park and the Airedale Shopping Centre.

“Despite a late start because of the risk of organising events due to Covid-19 uncertainty back in the spring, leading to delayed confirmation regarding financing of the festival, the three-day programme was delivered without a hitch.”

Audiences and participants ranged in age from babies to at least one 94-year-old, who made her own lantern.

In addition to Keighley people, there were visitors from North Yorkshire, the wider Bradford district and across West Yorkshire.

Ms Smithies added: “There were good mixed audiences for many events, but not all were reflective of Keighley’s diversity. We’re undertaking a full evaluation of the festival.

“Planning for 2022 has already started with feedback from people involved this year.

“We’re hoping that money from the Towns Fund will be released early next year, allowing a starter budget for ‘KAFF2022’ to fund full-time staff, the commissioning of events and publicity for an even better festival.”

Keighley Creative is based at the former Sunwin House, Hanover Street. For more details, visit keighleycreative.org.