& CULTURE It’s free to get I

TAND-UP comic and performance poet Kate Fox is to appear at this year’s Huddersfield Food & Drink Festival, in a free event on Thursday, August 2.

Her solo comedy shows have toured everywhere from the Edinburgh Festival to the Southbank Centre and she’s a regular on radio with her series The Price of Happiness.

Kate’s show, from 6pm on the main stage, is a special partnership event arranged by the Huddersfield Literature Festival. While the performance is open to all, the HLF is offering 50 audience members the chance to enjoy free VIP seating at the event – book a place by signing up to the literature festival’s mailing list at www. huddlitfest.org.uk

Michelle Hodgson, from the literature festival, says: “Kate Fox has appeared at the festival twice before and is one of the most entertaining stand-up performance poets on the circuit.”

However, it will be the first time the food and drink festival, this year from August 2 to 5, has hosted a stand-up poet.

The festival is now in its 18th year and is expected to attract more than 120,000 visitors to the town. Organisers, Huddersfield Live, promise 100-plus local traders, an entertainment stage and children’s entertainment. Much of the activity is focussed around St George’s Square, easily accessible by both rail and bus.

There’s everything from discovering the ruins of a magical castle and going on a bear hunt - based on a children’s favourite book - to taking a dip in a paddling pool and having a picnic.

Here’s our guide to what you can discover in Kirklees parks or parks within a short driving distance. Huddersfield’s oldest public park where you can discover the ruins of the former Castle, which looks magical to young eyes, go on a bear hunt through the woodland, play in the children’s parks or just enjoy a picnic on the grass.

There are two play areas, including an adventure playground, miles of woodland walks, a central pond, waterfall and fountain (not for paddling).

The Visitor Centre is open Wednesday and Sunday 1pm to 3.30pm (4pm in summer). ■■Forthcoming events: Yorkshire Gala Day, July 29, midday-5pm: there will be donkey rides, a fun fair, dog show, games, plant stall, cake stall and more. The LB Brass Band will be providing entertainment from 1-5pm at the Bandstand and the Visitor Centre will be open for refreshments. The Friends of Beaumont Park update their web pages with events http://www.fobp.co.uk/ ■■Location: Beaumont Park Road. Parking is available on surrounding roads, the upper part of the park on the main drive is ok for wheelchair access but the lower parts are steep and the paths are difficult. The visitor centre has wheelchair access and a disabled toilet but is only open at certain times. park, tennis courts, bowling greens and the miniature railway (not open all the time). There’s also a paddling pool, a pond and plenty of space for picnics. ■■Forthcoming events: Sunday August 12, Sounds of Summer in Greenhead Park at the bandstand, 2-4pm, Slaithwaite Band will be bringing the summer season of free concerts organised by the Friends of Greenhead Park to a grand finale. ■■Location: Trinity Street, Huddersfield. There’s some free on-street parking is free but be careful as some areas are permit only for residents. There’s a pay-and-display car park behind There are climbing frames and swings for children of all ages, as well as a zip wire and some goal posts. It’s also next door to the Tolson Museum which offers plenty of options to explore and