IT IS six days and counting to this year’s Holmfirth Arts Festival and the buzz couldn’t be bigger.

This year’s 11 day festival kicks off next Thursday with an exhibition which reminds us all what this event, now in its fifth year, is all about.

Yes, it’s about music, art, theatre, comedy, literature and things for children and families to do. But above all, this hugely popular festival is also about a sense of place.

And Holmfirth, the place which inspires musicians, singers, artists and all manner of craft specialists and makers has a starring role throughout the festival programme.

Since last October, poet Harriet Tarlo and artist Judith Tucker have walked the land between Digley Reservoir and Black Hill, exploring the places where the River Holme’s tributaries converge.

Harriet’s resulting poems and Judith’s monochrome drawings continue the River Project started last year by Jez Dolan and Dan Fox’s installation Walking Holme.

This new commission by the festival is called Tributaries and runs at Malkin House Barn throughout the festival, that’s from June 14 to 24.

Harriet and Judith will lead a walk and run a workshop later in the festival, both to connect people and place.

It’s a theme that festival director Jonathan Best and his team are keen to promote.

“We love doing all the events but the thing that underpins it all is that we love the place we live in and want to share it with other people,” he said.

That’s very much reflected in the 11 day programme which has brought together the creative interests and passions of many of those involved in running the events.

“It’s no one person’s ideas. We have a big team of people running the festival,” said Jonathan.

“Our committee has trebled in size and the number of volunteers helping has doubled.

“We all have different ideas about the festival and what we like most. It’s my job to bring it all together.”

“Half the festival is about things to do and half is things to watch, listen to or look at.

Jonathan says he can look at a festival event and know instantly who suggested it. He’s even willing to admit his own favourites.

“I love brass bands and that’s the bit of the programme that’s important to me.”

So don’t be surprised to see brass players from Hade Edge, Skelmanthorpe and Brighouse and Rastrick Bands popping up in various places.

Head for Holy Trinity Church in the centre of Holmfirth on June 17 to see Repiano, an art installation with live brass music. You might have to lie back in a pew to see as well as hear the collage of sound and music which uses digital projection, recorded and live music to celebrate the world of brass bands.

Matthew Halsall, seen as one of the UK’s brightest music talents, will be showing off his dazzling trumpet skills in another festival commission, this time a concert on Saturday, June 16.

And this star jazz turn will be in great company, working alongside Brighouse and Rastrick Band, the UK National Champions for the second year in a row.

There’s more Swinging Brass, courtesy this time of Skelmanthorpe Band which will play big band swing at the Picturedrome on June 22.

Textiles are another thread which bind the festival together and who better than leading textile artist Kaffe Fassett to enthuse us all over again with colour, with stories and on his 30 year association with Holmfirth through Rowan Yarns. He’s at Holmfirth High School on Friday, June 15 (8pm).

The place to be later that same evening is back in the heart of Holmfirth. Put in a Late Shift (from 10pm) and see the centre of the town turned into a light show with lanterns, silent movies and art.

Drop in for 10 minutes or while away a couple of hours as a giant kaleidoscope created by artists Rob and Matt Vale (the pair behind Repiano) illuminates the exterior of the church.

And just to underline the threads of Holmfirth’s character that pop up everywhere in the festival, how about delving into The Fabric of Holmfirth, Then and Now.

Local historian Nick Charlton will lead a walk exploring the textile history which shaped the town and the Holme Valley. That’s on June 16 and marks the start of an ongoing project exploring and celebrating textiles and their role in shaping Holmfirth’s past and present.

But for sheer theatricality and fizz on the first festival weekend, look no further than The Fitzrovia Radio Hour.

This spiffing show (June 17) is packed with ripping yarns and is a joyous recreation of the 1940’s radio plays and the spirit of a stiff-upper lip outlook on life.

This a show that has had three London residencies and sell out runs at two Edinburgh Festivals. One not to be missed.

Elsewhere there are workshops galore, stacks more performances and something for all the family.

Full details on www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk and more next week.