ALL year, there has been a series of events commemorating the bi-centenary of the Luddite Uprising.

The latest of those events is next weekend and explores hidden technologies and our relationship to machinery from the Luddites to modern day.

It’s called Distant Threads and is at Dewsbury Mills on Friday and Saturday, that’s November 16 and 17.

And the audience will be key to exploring this important part of our industrial past.

They will be able to explore the Luddite Uprising using hand held devices and interactive installation that are entirely user generated.

Distant Threads has been created by Invisible Flock, a collective made up of visual artists Ben Eaton, Victoria Pratt and Richard Warburton, based in Leeds.

Creating installations, games and live performances, exploring the subversion of social space in unusual locations is what they do.

They have created work for major art companies and festivals across the UK including; Opera North, The Crucible Theatre, Theatre in the Mill and Brighton Festival.

So a working mill is not really a problem for them.

“There has been a mill on the site of Dewsbury Mills since 1348,” said Adele Jackson from Kirklees Council, whose Arts and Creative Economy Team has been working with the Lawrence Batley Theatre on the bi-centenary events.

“The fact that it’s a working mill that handles all types of textile processes, makes it a great place to host a story linked to the district’s textile heritage and the Luddite uprising.

“Dewsbury Mill is an unusual venue for a performance with wonderful architectural character.

“There are fabulous sights and sounds that go along with it being a working mill. “When Invisible Flock visited, they felt the same.

“Dewsbury Mills have been amazingly welcoming and generous in opening up hidden away spaces full of atmosphere,” said Adele.

Distant Threads is at Dewsbury Mills on Friday, November 16, at 4pm and on Saturday, November 17, at 2pm and 4pm.

Tickets are £8 with concessions £6 and can be booked via the theatre box office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.

All performances are at Anchor House, Dewsbury Mills, Thornhill Road, Dewsbury.