The Story So Far Impact Report 2014-2017 Putting North Kirklees HAVE YOU HAD in the Spotlight

MAKING ART A PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE

The story so far Impact Report 2014-2017 Putting north kirklees HAVE YOU HAD in the spotlight. Hello! YOUR ART TODAY? Since 2014, we’ve been working We are delighted to share with you our Impact Report. It tells the story so far of the making of Creative Scene, together with our partners and a thriving hot spot for fantastic arts and culture, in the people of North Kirklees to build and around the five towns of North Kirklees, right at a Creative Scene in and around five the heart of the West Yorkshire region. towns in West Yorkshire. What makes it so special is that it’s been created by and with the people here. Read on for some of the highlights – the ways people have got involved, what they got out of it, and how these great creative events are helping In a little over 3 years more than 110,000 people We know that to sustain the Creative Scene will bring communities together to celebrate and transform our places. have taken part in over 180 events in the places need continued leadership and support from the where they live, work, gather and socialise. people here to secure more investment. We’ll need new ways of working with partners from There’s been shows in pubs and chip shops, an outside the arts, more locally produced activity, artist in a biscuit factory, parkour performances programming and commissioning that feels right amongst the market stalls, children getting a for the place, imagination in finding the places fix of fantastic family friendly theatre, a poetic 2 Contents 16 Taking part in the arts that offer opportunities to create and present, performance on the streets viewed from an and the production skills to make it happen. open-top bus, fiery night time spectaculars in 3 INTRODUCTIOn 18 Idle women town squares and parks, even a game of digital We have a 10 year vision, and by 2024, we bingo, projected and played on buildings. We’ve want this part of West Yorkshire to be known 4 The story so far 19 Batley does opera hosted international artists, commissioned new as a place where taking part in great cultural theatre which has gone on to tour around the experiences is an every day occurrence. The country, and we’ve supported over 50 local Creative Scene will be a place where people 6 Map 20 Artists training support artists – including emerging young artists – are used to popping to the pub to see a play, with learning opportunities to develop their children have the chance to see a show every 8 Why make art a part 21 Inspiring artists, making skills, and get into further education, training half term holiday, families flock to festivals to see and work. the best of UK and international artistic talent, great places artists and producers from the area light up of everyday life? We’ve shown there is no such thing as ‘hard to town centres and lead community celebrations. reach’ when it comes to getting people involved 9 Meet the scenemakers 22 Complicité creative learning and developing audiences for the arts – artists It’s been a privilege to be part of establishing and companies just need to get a little closer the Creative Scene so far. Please read on to find On tour: the local 23 animating parks and gardens to where people are at. out more about some of the many highlights in 10 the first 3+ years of the programme; and do get Creative Scene has secured new funding of £1m in touch if you’d like to be part of the Creative from Arts Council England until December 2020. Scene over the coming years. 12 On tour: family theatre 24 Festivals This is a massive vote of confidence in what has been achieved so far. As we go into 2018, we 14 Refreshing the parts other 26 Thank you have our sights set firmly on the future, and on arts don’t reach creating a lasting legacy for the project. 27 Friends, partners, artists NANCY BARRETT Director, Creative Scene, May 2018

Creative Scene is one of 21 independent Creative People and Places projects across the country, funded by Arts Council England in areas where there are fewer opportunities to get involved with the arts. It is about more people choosing, creating and taking part in brilliant art experiences in the areas where they live, work and socialise. 91% of our audience come from neighbourhoods with low and medium levels of arts engagement.

2 3 THE STORY SO FAR

2million 185,000 180+ 100+ investment from Arts Council England Total population of Batley, Cleckheaton, Events including theatre, Different artists and companies – from across Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and Mirfield circus and Indian dance Kirklees, from Yorkshire, from the UK and from Tunisia, Slovenia, India, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Serbia £300,000 + 110,000+ 70+ 3000 Raised in matched funds, earned Local audience members, participants, Local groups involved, from Volunteer hours of managing, interviewing, income and in-kind support performers, artists and more primary schools, women’s groups stewarding, creating and welcoming and choirs to dance studios, rugby clubs and tenants groups

4 5 Dewsbury Dewsbury Town Hall Sensory World Batley Town Hall The Corner Café Mirfield Birstall & Birkenshaw Dewsbury Train Station The Leggers Inn Batley Train Station The Mill Outlet Birstall Community Centre Acorn Studios Greenwood Centre The Old Turk Blenheim House The Taproom Battyeford Primary School Blue Fish Brooks Deli Birstall Town Centre Howlands Centre Thornhill Sports & Central Methodist Church Wilton Park Oakwell Hall Brigantia Kirklees College – Batley Community Centre Fox’s Biscuits Mirfield Town Centre Cloggs Café Cleckheaton Northorpe Hall Barn The Cobbles School of Art Healey Community Centre The Venue Cocoa Lounge Mims Restaurant Batley Howden Clough Community Aakash Selina Cooper in Shepley Bridge NORTH KIRKLEES Connect Housing Marina New Picture House Alfreds Way Shopping Centre Centre Cleckheaton Library Heckmondwike Crow Nest Park The Navigation Tavern Orchid Rooms Bagshaw Museum IMWS Cleckheaton Shopping Centre Blue Moon Café IN THE COUNTY OF WEST YORKSHIRE Dewsbury Arts Group Prince of Wales Shopping Batley Bulldogs RLFC iou bus Cleckheaton Town Hall Dewsbury Library Liversedge & Gomersal Firth Park Community Centre Centre Batley Girls High School Memorial Gardens Cleckheaton Town Centre Heckmondwike Indoor Market Dewsbury Market Batley Library and Art Gallery Matthew’s Coffee House Gomersal Primary School Savile Town Wharf & Marina PKWA Red House Museum Heckmondwike Town Centre Dewsbury Minster Sea Urchin Batley Town Centre Reunion Café Memorial Park Dewsbury Town Centre Roberttown Community Centre Green Park Where it's all happening Tesco Mill Valley Brewery Tap Westgate 23 The Wickham Arms

6 7 Make art a part MEET THE Why of everyday life? SCENEMAKERS The Creative People and Places programme was set up by Arts Council England to encourage more Creative Scene thinks that people should people to experience be inspired by the arts in areas have a say in the kind of arts they want to where participation and audience numbers are see and take part in, and that inspirational significantly below the national average. art and stories are created when artists work together with communities. Here at Creative Scene we believe that accessible and relevant to the people Here vibrant cultural traditions from around taking part in the arts is about more than that live here, and the arts will help to the world create a unique heritage and One of the ways we do this has been to develop a entertainment or a leisure activity; the arts shape a positive future for our towns culture, with handsome former industrial group of community commissioners and advocates. in all their forms are vital for the wellbeing and communities. towns, historic villages and newer suburbs. They are an active group of people from all walks of life of people – they develop skills, open up Parts of this area are semi-rural, and some About the Creative Scene – from students to homemakers, solicitors, café owners, opportunities, promote cooperation and decidedly urban. It has the strong character connect people. Arts and cultural events The Creative Scene area of North Kirklees of Pennine Yorkshire, with warm stone health workers, retired teachers – with a passion and make vibrant, attractive town centres and is home to 180,000 people, yet these buildings, steep hills, canals and rivers. commitment to what the arts can achieve in their area. cohesive communities. The stories that 5 towns – Dewsbury, Batley, Cleckheaton, Part of the Leeds City region, it is artists tell – whether through dance, drama, Heckmondwike, and Mirfield are often connected by motorways (the M62 to the Philip Ashleigh poetry, music or light – can give us new over-looked and can struggle for attention west and the M1 to the South) to Leeds and arrowsmith Beattie perspectives, understanding and empathy. and investment. the larger towns and cities of Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax and Bradford which are We believe that if people are involved in It’s an area with a distinct history born A huge thank you to all the SceneMakers past and present, who, from all within a 15 mile radius. leading, choosing and creating the cultural out of the heavy woollen industry that the start, have helped set up the Creative Scene in North Kirklees. experiences they take part in, they become was once the main source of employment. Sian Rebecca Dawson FOster Volunteers, who live or work in the area from a wide range of ages, jobs and backgrounds have put on events in some unusual and unexpected places at the heart of their communities. They’ve commissioned new plays and outdoor shows, they’ve visited Gayna Harriet events, theatre and festivals around the country to bring great new Goalby Lawson things to our area. They’ve found new venues – pubs, clubs, train stations – in which to present plays, films and exhibitions. And they encourage work Limited arts infrastructure colleagues, friends and neighbours to join in. - there are no professional arts venues Zainab Duncan Loonat Macintyre Here’s to more arts adventures! travel times, costs and access issues limit the opportunity to travel further afield Andrew Sonja

Few spaces or facilities available for young Marsden MArtin We are not working on short term effect, we want it to be long term. people to meet or create It needs to give people meaning, to enhance their lives.

multiple barriers to participation, There’s me, with muddy boots, on a narrowboat, holding our baby. Why Mark ammaarah am I here? New experiences give you new perspectives, don’t they?” including low income and unemployment Milnes Ravat – SceneMaker few opportunities for progressing "A little bit special, arts involvement from first engagement to regular practice wonderfully poignant" Kimberley SIMON

Thirkill THIRKILL Lyn Gardner, The Guardian no established arts networks, regular on IOU’s Rear View, co-commissioned and presented FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY training and development opportunities by Creative Scene and Batley Festival. Making a Scene is the story of the SceneMakers compiled by (along with Festival of Thrift, Greenwich+Docklands Not forgetting: Joel, Dave, David, Janice, Lynette, Kev, Ian, Sarah, International Festival, Leftcoast, Blackpool, Norfolk & Jenny, Jon, Karen, Ruth & Gary photographer and writer, Len Grant. Find out more about their Norwich Festival, 2016) amazing 3 years as arts adventurers at www.makingascene.net Along with those who have come on board more recently – 8 Karen, Ruth, Julia and Gary 9 On Tour: THE LOCAL

Settle down, grab a drink and see something new with friends

10 venues to see great short plays; at the marina, by the canal, in the heart of the town, in the rugby club or beside the brewery.

FACT FILE:

Performances New +Audience Touring 40 to date 2 commissions 600 members 4 productions

What did they think?

Our pub quiz cabaret ‘It’s Your Round’ played at The Local – the audience were a wide variety of The single dad at McDonalds on a Saturday… the way they told the story ages and many more men than we usually play to – they were very lively – needed a bit of managing! of the squaddie coming back and finding everyone had moved on – Our shows give permission for people to let their that brought a tear to my eye. hair down and join in. We open up access to live The characters were all real, I could see art to people who wouldn’t normally get the chance myself in them.” to see this kind of theatre.” Bringing this to our pub has created a new , 48 – Duncan – Rebecca Mordan, Artistic Director of buzz on a Wednesday night. It’s good for Audience member Scary Little Girls Feminist Theatre Company the beer sales and brings different people and pub regular in. Tickets sold well and the regulars enjoyed it too.

In this day and age we need to offer other reasons to come in, and increasingly pubs are becoming a community focal point. We are experimenting with other kinds of shows now.” – Joel Graham, Pub Landlord The Leggers Inn, Dewsbury

10 11 On Tour: Family Theatre

Old and young gather round, it's time for an adventure!

38 shows with tales of superheroes, walruses, aliens, lighthouse-keepers, yetis and mermaids.

FACT FILE:

New pop-up Community Touring theatre New 5 theatre spaces 5 promoters 5 companies 2 commissions

Local residencies creating Families enjoying 3 work inspired by the area 2,190 theatre on their doorstep

We’ve been to two or three of these before. They are full What did they think? of talking about what they’ve seen, then pretend to act the story out themselves when we get home.” I’m convinced that it is the future of theatre- relocating theatre to where people live, work – Grandma Lyn & Grandad Alan and relax so that it can meaningfully become a public asset. It’s good to get the kids out to meet other kids. These shows are always good value for money – we bring 5 kids so that’s important.” Being part of something that is focused around people and communities, rather than buildings – Sam, mum of 5 and formal programmes, was an incredibly enriching experience. The audiences were engaged and involved in a way I’ve rarely seen.” I like my kids to see something a bit different, we had never seen any real acting before.” – Jack Dean, Performer and Writer with Horace and the Yeti – Joyty, mum of 3 – Sami 8, Akaal 6, and Jodh 4

I’m part of the commissioning process, we’ve nurtured it and helped it along. Lots of new faces came who now know about our charity. Families now expect a show here during the half-terms. So everyone’s a winner.” Julia, local venue manager & Creative Scene community promoter

12 13 Refreshing the parts other arts don’t reach

FACT FILE:

A co-production between Creative Scene THE RUCK and the Lawrence Batley Theatre 70 Members attended the “Who would have thought you could create show from Batley Bulldogs a full length play that packs out a theatre Breakfast Club and Batley from the stories of our girls rugby team?” Bulldogs Cheerleaders

Sell out nights Award winning playwright Kevin A residency supported by Proper 2 in Huddersfield Fegan has written more than Job Theatre at Batley Bulldogs 50 plays for theatre and radio, Rugby Club was the starting point: worked as a writer for Coronation Kev spotted an intriguing story. The Street, published ten collections U16’s Girls Rugby team, set up by Yorkshire theatres of poetry, and undertaken dozens the dad of one of the girls, had risen 3 in the regional tour of residencies, including inside to the top of its league in two short prisons. years and had just been invited to tour Australia. How did he turn the story of this group of teenage girls – the first Kev spent many months immersing £5,000 British girls’ team to tour Australia himself in the Bulldog’s extended Tickets sales income – into a sell out theatre show? rugby family – the players, their coach, their families, friends and the fans – becoming something of a regular at the Soothill Social Club. A truly original piece of theatre Creative Scene commissioned – real, honest and funny. Kev to write a full – length play Beautifully written with characters whose which tackles a wide range of antics are as colourful off the pitch as on. contemporary and timeless issues These are the kind of women I’d want to – from racial discrimination, gender spend a night at the theatre with.” assignment and deep-hidden family secrets to boy – and girl – – Maxine Peake, Actor relationship problems.

Audience Reaction

There is no great secret in making great theatre that is also accessible. • We thought it was magic. Simply involve people, seek out their stories, and tell them with care. Value the benefits of this two-way process as genuinely reciprocal: • I am a Batley girl though I don’t live acknowledge and respect the artistic activities that take place in there now and the story was brilliant, working class communities. very modern and superbly acted.

I was intrigued by the changing identity of this former mill town and the • I am 71 and loved every minute. It was challenges faced by communities dealing with the realities of the influx enthralling and full of humour, pathos of large numbers of migrant labour from South East Asia. I spoke to and relevant of life today. teenage Asian girls at Batley Girls’ High School as well as to members • It touched on moral issues, racial of the girl’s rugby league team. issues – what the young lasses went Drama is different from a documentary and in a play, fact becomes through… fiction. It was important to me to investigate what it’s like to grow • Much better than the telly, mind you up in Batley. Becoming a teenager is a right of passage and rugby ‘owt is better than the telly these days. becomes a metaphor for that. – Kevin Fegan, Writer 14 15 TAKING PART In THE ARTS

Thousands of people have taken part in creative activities, often for the first time. They’ve learnt new skills; met new people, taken their interest further, and are now getting involved on a regular basis – even setting up their own projects.

"Switched me on to new I‘m now a member of Dewsbury Arts Group – they have opportunities" I found it really therapeutic – I got to step away from not had a South Asian member before! whatever else was going on. I’ve performed at open mic nights, and am now working "Calm and clear - I was speaking to people at completely different stages with my mum to present a new multi-lingual spoken word gets my head sorted" in life, it’s bringing people together and not feeling alone. / Mushaira event.

At first I thought I can’t do that! because I’m from an I hadn’t done anything, I didn’t know how to get involved. estate. It wasn’t about where I am from but what I can do. My confidence grew from being part of Worlds Apart and I’ve done loads since – acted on the main stage at the then in the LBT Youth Theatre – I went for an audition for "Connected - met people Lawrence Batley Theatre, a placement at West Yorkshire Hollyoaks. I didn’t know what other things you could do Playhouse and won an award for volunteering. I applied in the arts. I have applied to do drama at university, I’m from down the road that to do my own youth dance group and I’m going to Leeds interested in the health side of things, community drama, I had never met before!" College to do a BTEC acting course. Theatre in Prisons. "Proud to be part – Kira, 17, first took part in Creative Scene aged 13 – Sonia, first took part in Creative Scene aged 14 of something bigger"

Making Music Dancing "Brightens the day up" 2000+ people Matthew’s Coffee Shop Ukulele Band For the Tour de Yorkshire’s Bicycle Ballet Designing & Making Devising & Acting Life’s a Beach Hut, with Connect Housing Worlds Apart at Redhouse Museum tenants also got Crafting & Making "Powerful - It's a way Performing Poetry For Holocaust Memorial Day Open Mic Night, It’s a Word Thing to get my ideas out" Performing PArkour involved in: Acting & Lighting Installations At train stations and markets, with Urban For HeckmondFRIGHT Playground Team 16 "Buzzing!" 17 Creativity with a current to sing, or not to sing?

SUMMER ON THE WATER IN IDLE WOMEN MIRFIELD BATLEY DOES OPERA

Idle women is a touring arts centre which Nicky Bashall and Stella Barnes – writers, poets and You could hear a pin drop. theatre makers – collaborated to develop a project with navigates the canals and waterways – the Mothers Apart group at the Women’s Centre and the Greenwood Centre in North Kirklees. This was Donizetti’s Elixir of Love, performed in a whistle-stop the first ever floating arts centre for Twelve artists were invited to stay on board the narrow version by Opera North and a local cast of over 100. women. In Spring and Summer 2017, the boat The Selina Cooper and in exchange, offer something canal barge moored up in Mirfield on for local women such as a talk or workshop. Women from all walks of life came by – a group from the the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal, local golf club, women who live in a refuge, professionals stopping off after their work in town, mums out for a health Something to sing about to host a series of artists-in-residence, walk down the tow path. workshops & events for women. A host of activities including stained glass window making, Community Ownership Continued participation photography and banner-making, even crystal ball gazing A second Batley Does Opera is underway, with Batley Opera North have continued to provide choir sessions at the provided fun and welcoming activities over six weeks. Business Association taking the lead in commissioning Methodist church. a brand new production. A Spotlight Building relationships On the local groups involved helped signpost other interested With local businesses to sell tickets and attract new audiences. people to their activities. New Audiences 75% had never been to an opera before. Idle Women was co-commissioned in partnership with Super Slow Ways, Creative Scene, 42nd Street, Heart of Glass and The Canal and River Trust. Changing perceptions Pre-conceived notions that opera ‘wasn’t for them’ were turned on their head. What did they think?

Being on the water connected with our area in a different way, the view from the canal is different and at the heart We’ve had 4 new of two communities – Dewsbury & Mirfield – connected members join the but distinctly different.” choir. They were I learned a lot, not just about how to survive on the canal, in the audience but how to live peacefully and respectful of others.” and inspired to join!

18 19 Artists training support THE INSPIRING ARTISTS TOGETHERING MAKING GREAT PLACES in Dewsbury Artists are inspired when they come and work in this part of West Yorkshire – with its rich history and heritage, vibrant “Good things happen when creative cultures and traditions, they create people get together!” tales of contemporary life that catch the imagination.

People still talk about the night The Batley Picture Show filled the Memorial Gardens with a night-time spectacle, a memorable closing performance for 25 artists and would be producers took part in Creative the annual Batley Festival. Weaving historical archive and family film footage What did they think? with personal tales, outdoor arts experts Periplum created a show that had Scene’s Make It Happen School with leading outdoor intimate moments of personal drama, presented on a spectacular scale, I learnt about using art in performance, how to arts experts, Walk the Plank, to learn about creating and using live pyrotechnics, music and bi-lingual poetry. staging an outdoor spectacle in the best way possible... work together as a team and made new contacts by doing one themselves. for the future.” – Artist & illustrator Julia, from Mirfield Creative Scene’s pop up studio space ‘Brigantia’ was a hub of creative activity along with the serious business of learning about production The course is a new experience with a medium We wanted to tell a story that captured the spirit of the town, and the planning, health and safety and crowd management. I have never worked with. I am able to meet other many different people who call this place home; people who are Batley artists and share ideas. Learning about production born and bred, those who have come here from across Yorkshire, and After an intensive seven days of training they got to grips with light, lanterns, will help me in future and has given me confidence.” those who settled here from further afield – Pakistan, Poland, India shadow puppetry and fire to attract and entertain crowds of over 500 – Landscape designer Waheeda, from Dewsbury and Ireland. during a thrilling 45 minute evening performance in Dewsbury Town Centre. This is about getting up and doing things… I can use Working with Creative Scene and The Batley Festival gave us insights this to help local people take part in activities that and encouragement as we developed our ideas and meant a wealth will bring all parts of the community together. That’s of links and introductions were lined up for us, as well as a fantastic what Dewsbury needs at the minute. We can use audience from the town who came out to see their story writ large creative events to bring the town back up again.” with aerial artistry, film, fire effects and floating illuminated balloons. – Artist Jax, from Dewsbury , Artistic Directors, Periplum – Claire Raftery & Damian Wright Most of all, it is giving me confidence to believe I can do it. I feel like I’m part of something bigger, and I want to be able to make other people feel how it makes me feel...” – Artist Donna, from Birstall

For Dewsbury this is very unusual. I’ve never seen so many people here. It was wonderful. Let’s hope it continues.” – Beauty salon owner Keisha, from Dewsbury

20 21 Complicité creative learning and a group animating parks and gardens of extraordinary women LIKE MOTHER PETER PAN IN THE PARK LIKE DAUGHTER in Wilton Park

Imagine if you could ask your mother an ambitious collaboration between a question you’ve always wanted Creative Scene, the park & the museum. to ask but never had the chance? Attracting people from the wider region to see immersive theatre.

12 pairs of real life mothers and daughters of different faiths FACT FILE: What did they think? and backgrounds created and performed an intimate show. No script – just enthralling stories of real people told in their Beautiful setting! …enjoyed the immersive own words, and an invitation to join in with the conversation Sell-out +Audience experience and the way the natural and man- made features of the park were worked around candle-lit tables, with soup and bread. 6 shows 300 members in seamlessly.” A FIRST It was a different experience to sitting in a theatre. Really family friendly, enjoyed following the Pairs of for new West Yorkshire adventure through the park, going on a physical MAKING THE SHOW What did they think? 55 headphones company Wrongsemble adventure as well as a narrative one.” it was incredible, generous story A lady yesterday said to Mum and I: ‘Were you guys involved in Like Mother Like Daughter? I saw one of the shows and telling, people sharing their I was so moved by it’ and I thought what a fantastic success relationships. It was a real bond for someone to come back 18 months later to say that.” An enchanting performance over between our mothers and girls, – Participant, FE Teacher, writer, mum and daughter three nights, created for Oakwell between different cultures. Savage Hart Hall’s historic walled garden. At Oakwell Hall Combining dance, aerial artistry and circus, more than 300 people saw the show over three enchanting evenings.

What did they think? The location, the setting and the natural light was perfect.” The aerial arts was incredible. I was bewitched by the whole show from start to finish.” Even when it started to rain, you couldn’t take your eyes off. I’ve never felt so drawn in to a performance like that.” Absolutely amazing. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more performances by you guys!”

22 23 The festival keeping The origins of BATLEY HeckmondLIGHT Spellbound

Long before other illuminations, Heckmondwike’s own gas board We want something for people to get involved in the planning celebrated the opening of the new market hall in 1868 with gas-fired of and look forward to each year. lights. With the coming of electricity, the town upped it’s ambition We formed a partnership with Creative Scene and over the last and progressed to electric power, coach loads came to see Green four years it has grown to become a showcase of first class street Park garlanded with the now legendary images of boxing cats and theatre and performances. People take part in making the event, preening peacocks. co-creating and performing in our commissioned shows. In their centenary year a huge voluntary effort was made to rekindle their former glory. Now there’s a permanent lighting system, and a – Kimberley Thirkill, Chair, Batley Festival Committee contemporary creative twist provided through annual commissioning of new light-based art works with Creative Scene – many of which have toured the country. Fact file: Unique events: The thousands who attend the Light Switch on have come to expect something out of the ordinary, and schools and community groups Annual festivals every can’t wait to get involved in the interactive arts elements. 4 September from 2014-2017 2015 Walk the Plank’s Spellbound

of festival-goers live Fact file: 85% in North Kirklees 2016 Annual +Children take part in Periplum’s The Batley light events libraries and schools Picture Show 3 250 +Hours of community 1,000 creative activities Lottery Artists 2017 funding commissions IOU’s Rear View £12,000 10 +Total 12,000 audiences Arts events Audience NEW around the town 3,000 members I was born here and have always lived here but those artists showed me things about my town I never knew. Heckmondwike Community Alliance works hard to keep business Amazing. afloat in the town and to bring the community together. – Festival Go-er

I first got involved because I wanted to bring this fantastic tradition bang up to date. Creative Scene gave me some tips A pearl of a festival and I got to take part in ‘go and see’ visits to research light events. I wanted to know how these events are produced, what’s gone on in the background. I thought, if we bring these Cleckheaton things to Heckmondwike, people will remember it for years. Now I can transfer all that knowledge back to my own community. We’ve brought new artists here each year, raised the funds to Cleckheaton Folk Festival is entering it’s 31st year and is the commission a new LED lit light that counts down to the big switch highlight of the summer in the town, attracting thousands of people on, hosted a Slovenian artist as part of a Creative Europe project. over a July weekend, with more than 30 music gigs in 20 venues. I’ve learnt from them – last year I completed my own commission. It brings in national and international artists, as well as offering

FESTIVALS! a platform for local artists to perform and develop their skills. – Simon Thirkill, Chair, Heckmondwike Community Alliance Over the last three years Creative Scene has supported a programme It’s helping us increase our audience. of arts activity that encourages more local participation. There will be people who will never have sung a folk song before. Young people Creative sessions have been held at the supermarket, in local primary would never have dreamt of dancing to schools and libraries. In 2017 an audience of more than 3,400 people the type of music they’ll be dancing to. VIbrant towns + ‘Followed the Heron’ a specially made character for the parade. , Director, – David Minich Memorable events Cleckheaton Folk Festival 24 25 Here’s to you... Friends, partners, artists

100 artists and companies have brought their ideas, Creative Scene Team imaginations, curiosity and creativity to the Creative Thanks to the very talented Scene, including some of the top talent from right Creative Scene team over the past here in Kirklees – specialists in performance poetry, 3+ years who have written bids, developed briefs, been out and light projection, digital story telling, immersive met and talked to people in pubs and cafes, on trains and on the theatre, lantern making and fire drawing. streets, calculated costs, risks and timelines, found where people We’ve hosted leading national companies and supported emerging are at and where they want to artists and collectives from the region – street performers and acrobats, go, stood outdoors in wind, rain and snow and sometimes sun, to engineers, animators, fire sculptors and film makers. We’ve played produce events, count audiences, at a Digital Funfair and on the Human Jukebox, witnessed a parading collect feedback – and generally yak and the Fastest One Man Band in the World. keep the whole show on the road.

26 27 The Creative Scene in North Kirklees, West Yorkshire Photography by Len Grant, except: was first imagined by a consortium of The Lawrence Batley Cover, Charlotte Graham Page 4-5, Charlotte Graham Theatre, Kirklees Council, and The Batley Festival Group. Page 8, Roger Moody Thanks to this partnership which continues to lead and steer Page 9, It’s Your Round, Scary Little Girls Page 12, Oskar’s Amazing Adventure, Theatre Fideri Fidera| the programme, to our research and evaluation colleagues Page 13, Karen Rangeley at the University of Huddersfield, and to our critical friend Page 14-15, Amy Charles Media Page 16, Making Music, Vicky Holliday Dr Erinma Ochu. Page 16, Devising and Acting, Paul Floyd Blake Page 16, Crafting and Making, Paul Floyd Blake If you’d like to get involved and start your own arts Page 16, Acting and Lighting Installations, Charlotte Graham adventure, please contact [email protected] Page 16, Performing Parkour, Roger Moody Page 16, Dancing, Bicycle Ballet Page 17, Paul Floyd Blake Page 18, Main – Idle Women, Idle Women Page 18, Idle Women, Janette Scott Arts PR Page 19, Batley Does Opera, Christian Cassiel Page 19, Batley Does Opera, Opera North Page 21, Charlotte Graham Page 22, Like Mother Like Daughter, Karen Rangeley Page 23, Peter Pan in the Park, Amy Charles Media| Page 25, Stilt Girls, Charlotte Graham Page 25, Batley Festival, Roger Moody Page 25, HeckmondLIGHT, Charlotte Graham Page 24, Cleckheaton Folk Festival, Folk Dance Remixed

stay in touch creativescene.org.uk Creative Scene, 2nd Floor, 9 Wellington Rd, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Search Creative Scene WF13 1HF

Kirklees Theatre Trust Company Limited by Guarantee 1504033 England Registered Charity 510693 Creative Scene is the Creative People and Places project for North Kirklees, West Yorkshire, supported by a consortium including The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Kirklees Council and Batley Festival.