CULTURE (AMONG US NORTHERN HEATHENS)

Not all Whippets & flat caps around here by gum!

‘Ilkley is the right size for a Festival town…large enough to provide various amenities and small enough to stroll around and run into everybody.’- J.B Priestly writing in support of the first Ilkley Literature Festival


The original idea for the Festival arose from discussions between Michael Dawson (first Director of the then, newly formed, Yorkshire Arts Association) and Peter Harland (then editor of the Telegraph and Argus and Chair of the Yorkshire Arts Literature Panel) who at the time both lived in Ilkley. Michael Dawson had been to literature festivals in Cheltenham and Peter suggested, “Why don’t you try starting something similar here? Submit a plan that we can discuss at our next panel meeting.”
The 1971 postal strike gave Michael Dawson an unexpected window of opportunity to draw up firm proposals and a realistic budget. The Literature Panel subsequently approved the plans and promised a Yorkshire Arts grant provided the urban district council was willing to make a similar commitment.

Gerald Hodges (Borough Treasurer at the time and later Director of Finance for Bradford City Council) who not only obtained Bradford’s backing but also volunteered his services as the Festival’s treasurer.
Dr Robin Alston who combined lecturing in the School of English at the University of Leeds with owning a local publishing venture, the Scholar Mansel Press.
Paddy Rowe – for many years the Festival’s sole employee who provided secretarial help.
And a large number of local enthusiasts and volunteers.
After two years of planning and fund raising, the first Festival was launched by W.H. Auden in April 1973, in one of the poet’s last public appearances. At first biennial, the Festival became a regular yearly event by 1988, going from strength to strength.