‘GREAT TO SEE THE COMMUNITY TAKING PART’

WITH just a handful of events still to come in the 2022 Leek Arts Festival programme, organisers are urging local people not to miss out on the chance to enjoy some great comedy and music.

LAF 2022 – which made a welcome return after missing the past two years because of Covid-19 – has seen a total of more than 40 events go ahead since the end of April, covering virtually every form of art and culture.

Key attractions – some organised directly by the LAF committee, others by outside organisations and individuals – included the Tri Nations Trio, the Rondino String Quartet, Eddi Reader, Scott Doonican, Scooterfest, Fairport Convention, the Astound fine art exhibition, concerts on the bandstand at Brough Park, the Leek Open Studios and Arts Trail, and numerous Blues and Americana gigs.

Those still to come include surrealist comic Boothby Graffoe at The

Foxlowe in Leek on Friday June 3 and renowned jazz flautist Gareth Lockrane with the Joe Tatton Trio – again at the Foxlowe – on Wednesday June 8.

Full details of both these events are available on the LAF website at www. leekartsfestival.co.uk from where tickets can be purchased. Physical tickets are also available from the Foxlowe.

LAF chairman Phil Edmeades said audience numbers have been far higher than initially expected and added that the festival committee wanted to thank everyone who had been involved in any way.

He said: “We re especially grateful to the trustees and volunteers at Leek’s Foxlowe Arts Centre and to all the local artists and musicians.

“The festival is a real community effort and it is great to see the community taking part and enjoying the events on offer.”