THE Colne Valley will have yet another festival to add to its bulging calendar.
After Moonraking, Golcar Lily Day, Marsden Jazz Festival, Cuckoo Day and Imbolc comes the Festival of Ideas.
The new event is being organised by Clr Paul Salveson, Labour’s new councillor for Golcar.
The idea came out of the Free University of Slawit, an informal discussion group which meets each month in The Commercial in the village.
Clr Salveson said: “It’s been going for a year now and it’s a very friendly and stimulating discussion group.
“One or two people in the group said they would like to do something bigger and the original idea was to hold a Festival of Free-Thinking – but that’s difficult to get your tongue around so we went for the Festival of Ideas instead.”
Clr Salveson explained how the festival will work.
“We could have events in residential care homes or local schools – we’ve already had discussions with Colne Valley High.
“We want to stimulate thinking about local and global issues.
“An example might be the discussion we held about a year ago about the politics of food production and distribution because that links in with what’s happening in Slaithwaite with the Handmade Bakery and the Green Valley Grocer.
“If a group was interested in holding such a debate we would give them the support they need and advertise the event on the Facebook page which we’re about to develop.
“There won’t be any strong central organisation but there will be a degree of co-ordination because we don’t want clashing between things that are very similar.”
Clr Salveson hopes the festival, which will take place from October 20 to 26, will involve every part of the valley.
“We want to ensure there are plenty of events, not just in Slaithwaite but all along the valley in Milnsbridge and Longwood.”
Clr Salveson believes the area will benefit from another festival.
“I think the more festivals we have, the better, I think if we become the Festival Valley that would be great,” he said.
“The more things are happening, the better it will be for community’s self-esteem.
“There will be some overlap with other festivals but I think we’re aiming at a different clientele.
“The Festival of Ideas is primarily aimed at local people but if we can bring people into the valley that would be good.
“We’ve been in discussion with the Pennine Manor Hotel and it would be great if there’s a commercial spin-off for them.”
For more information on the festival details email paul@paulsalveson.com
