Girls enjoying the festival - photo by Lorena Liberti
To add to the sixteen galleries of photos already posted, we have now added more to Kirkstall Online.
The following galleries were submitted by:
Morris Dancers at Kirkstall Festival - photo by Vidya Padmanhabhan
Crowds wait in Millenium Square for the ticket launch. Photo by Mike Wallis
Today was the ticket launch for the popular Classical Fantasia held at Kirkstall Abbey. This year’s performance takes place on Saturday 18th September and the eagerly-awaited 9,000 free tickets were given away from 10am today in Millenium Square.
All 9,000 tickets were expected to be quickly claimed on launch day and Kirkstall Online has contacted Leeds City Council to check whether any remain.
On social networking site Twitter, Heather Healy said “Just powered through the classical fantasia queue – only took 15 mins” and Mike Wallis (who also provided the photograph above) reported he was “In the queue for classical fantasia tickets. Over 75 mins before opening, there’s already well over 150 ppl ahead of me!”
Were you there?
Did you get a ticket?
Were you disappointed?
Please add a comment and let us know.
The popular dog show is one of the animal attractions at Kirkstall Abbey next week. Photo LCC
A series of free outdoor events are to be held in the grounds of the 12th century abbey ruins over the coming days organised by Leeds City Council.
The events begin on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August when from 10am to 12 noon and from 2-4pm each day visitors will be able to try their hand at the ancient art of archery. Experts from the local archery club Panda Bowmen will be overseeing events offering guidance and tips from beginners to budding Robin Hoods. Those of a more creative slant can head indoors to the Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre for the chance to design their own royal crowns.
The fun takes on a four-legged slant from 2-4pm on Wednesday 25th August when the hugely-popular annual dog show takes place. The show features five categories of competition which are sure to be fiercely contested – the waggiest tail, best trick, best nose for finding objects, best control while on a lead and musical statues for how still a dog can stay on command.
Certificates and prizes are available in each category, but due to the extremely popular nature of the event those wishing to enter must be pre-registered as numbers that can take part are limited. To pre-register please call 0113 230 5492 or email abbey.house@leeds.gov.uk.
The skies over the abbey will take centre stage on Saturday 28th August, as from 2-4pm a selection of spectacular birds of prey will be demonstrating their hunting techniques. Overseen by Yorkshire-based conservationists Falconry UK, the birds such as eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, falcons and kestrels will also be on display for visitors to admire and take photographs of when not flying.
Fans of snakes and creepy crawlies will also be catered for, as visitors will also be able to see a range of animals in the Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre. Local reptile expert Matt Pedder from Tyrannosaurus Pets will be on hand with some of his collection such as boa constrictors, corn snakes, bull snakes and geckos amongst others talking about how they live and offering visitors the chance to get up close and personal by holding them.
All of the events are free to attend, but there will be a charge of £1 for three arrows for those wishing to take part in the archery sessions. For further information on Kirkstall Abbey call 0113 230 5492 or email abbey.house@leeds.gov.uk
Kirkstall Matters Issue 104
The new issue of Kirkstall Matters (number 104) is now available on Kirkstall Online.
Click here to download your copy now.
In This Issue: Local Notes – Kirkstall Festival – Volunteer Awards – Aviator Allstars – Gerard Roe – Kirkstall Harriers – Local Scouts – Beecroft Primary – Kirkstall Abbey – Abbey House Museum Events – Interview With New MP – Your Letters And Emails – Local Information.
Past editions are being added to Kirkstall Online to provide a virtual library of this great publication.
Check out past editions from the link on the front page, including the very first ever issue.
The ruins of Kirkstall Abbey provide the perfect backdrop for Classical Fantasia (Photo: Leeds City Council)
Tickets to this year’s Classical Fantasia are to be launched at Millennium Square from 10am on Saturday 21st August.
The free open-air classical music performance in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most popular events of the year in Leeds due to its fantasy-inspired music, stunning fireworks and breathtaking setting which together make for a special and unique spectacle.
This year’s performance takes place on Saturday 18th September and the eagerly-awaited 9,000 tickets for it will be given away free at the ticket launch which will takes place on Saturday 21st August from 10am on Millennium Square.
The free tickets will be available to collect in person (with a maximum of two per applicant) on a first-come first-served basis at the launch. Those keen to attend are encouraged to go to the launch to have the best chance of securing their places as due to the limited capacity of the event, all 9,000 tickets are expected to be quickly claimed on launch day.
Organised by Leeds City Council, Classical Fantasia is now in its 15th year and has firmly established itself as one of the highlights of the outdoor events calendar in the city. With the specially-lit ruins of the 12th century Kirkstall Abbey providing the perfect backdrop, the sounds of the Northern Ballet Theatre orchestra make for a magical evening’s entertainment.
The event has also become famous for its spectacular fireworks, which signal both the end of the first half and then the main display which accompanies the electrifying finale of the evening.
For further information visit the website at www.leeds.gov.uk/fantasia or email events@leeds.gov.uk
The BBC reports that Kirkstall Abbey, together with six other parks in Leeds, has been awarded a “Green Flag” for meeting the criteria of being “welcoming, safe and well maintained and seeking to involve local people”.
The other local parks recognised in these national awards include Golden Acre Park, Lotherton Hall Estate, Pudsey Park, Roundhay Park, Temple Newsam Estate and Otley’s Chevin Forest Park.
Over 60 people (including two MPs) attended the Sixpiece exhibition hosted by Exposure Leeds and Kirkstall Valley Community Association (KVCA) which showcased photographs of this year’s 30th Kirkstall Festival with photographs from over 30 photographers.
You can even download this great Exposure Leeds commemorative desktop from Flickr
You may notice that the front page of Kirkstall Online has a new look to celebrate 10 years in existence.
Some pages will still look the same as before but the new front page allows more options to interact with Kirkstall Online like commenting on posts, tweeting our articles, “liking” things on facebook and emailing posts to friends.
If you find something which doesn’t work please “comment” using the speech bubble above or use our Contact form to let me know.
Don’t forget to submit your photos (see below) to be part of the festival history.
Photographs of the Festival:
John Compton
Michelle Glover
Claire Cliff
Ken Stratford
Simon Cliff (on Flickr)
Steve Harris
Steph Peart
F. Carrie Hall
Paul Dishman
Jon Eland
Ted Wilson
Brian McNea
Jeff Khan
Dawn Cobe
Nathan Strachan
David Enyori
Also photos from the YEP and The Guardian.
Copyright remains with the individual photographers and any permission to reproduce should be sought, in the first instance by contacting kirkstallfestival@virginmedia.com
Kirkstall Online was started in 2000 as a community website for Kirkstall, Leeds in England. Kirkstall Online is a community resource for the residents of Kirkstall and those with an interest in the area. Kirkstall Online is a corporate member of the Kirkstall Valley Community Association.
