Dates for your diary F
HUDDERSFIELD Town Hall goes meat-free this weekend as the venue welcomes the West Yorkshire Vegan Festival.
Thousands are expected to visit the lateVeganuary festival, on Saturday, January 27. It will feature more than 80 stalls, with everything from cruelty-free beauty products and vegan clothing to wellness aids and hot and cold food on offer.
Veganism is a growing trend in the UK, particularly among the young. The Vegan Society estimates that there are now half a million vegans and numbers have tripled in recent years. Vegans don’t eat or use any animal products.
The festival, which was held in Dewsbury last year, is organised by the North-East based Farplace Animal Rescue charity and all profits will go to caring for and rehoming unwanted animals at its sanctuary.
Entry to the festival is £3 on the door and includes the chance to hear talks on a range of topics, including the culling of wild animals in London parks, marine welfare and how to be a vegan. For VIP advance ticket details visit westyorkshireveganfestival.com/ the-show
Doors open at 10am and the first talk is at 11am. At noon there’s a question and answer session on veganism and at 3.30pm there will be a tea drinking and meditation session. The festival closes at 5pm. ROM festivals of art, food and jazz, wartime weekends and open-air concerts to carnivals and markets, the spring and summer ahead promise a feast of entertainment in the Huddersfield area.
We’ve rounded up confirmed dates for many of the major events of the next few months, so pop them in your diary now and visit our What’s On pages, examiner. co.uk/whats-on, for updates and previews throughout 2018. ■■Huddersfield Literature, with Mirfield-born actor Patrick Stewart headlining, offers the chance to meet writers and share their stories. It’s on from February 8 to 18 at a variety of venues. Visit litfest.org.uk for ticket details ■■Mother’s Day in 2018 is on Sunday, March 11. ■■Easter weekend (March 30 and April 1) will see Emley Real Ale Festival at the Emley Band Room, with 18 beers and five ciders to be sampled. Visit Facebook for details. ■■The Tour de Yorkshire visits our region from May 3 to 6. The new-look Piece Hall in Halifax will be the starting point for day four. To view a map visit letour. yorkshire.com ■■May is a musical month with Holmfirth Festival of Folk (May 11 to 13)and the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (May 11 to 13). ■■Batley Vintage Day is on May 26. ■■Slaithwaite Art Festival will once again be showing what the Colne Valley’s artistic community can do on May 19 and 20. ■■It’s half term from May 28 until June 1. brighouseevents.co.uk ■■Honley Show opens its gates on June 9. ■■Holmfirth Arts Festival is on from June 14 to 17. ■■The Kirkwood Hospice Midnight Memory Walk will be taking advantage of the short nights of mid-summer on June 23. For details see kirkwoodhospice.co. uk/how-you-can-help ■■Lindley’s 11th Carnival will celebrate on June 30. ■■Join the Race for Life in Huddersfield on July 1 in Greenhead Park. Visit raceforlife. cancerresearchuk.org ■■Meltham Memories Wartime Weekend will turn the clock back over June 30 and July 1. ■■Enjoy music in the open air with the Concert on the Hill in Salendine Nook on July 7 and the Wannasee tribute band music festival on July 21. ■■Kirklees schools are closed from July 25 to August 31.