Kirklees’ textile celebration programme revealed

The plans for the week-long WOVEN festival, which will celebrate Kirklees’ textile heritage and look ahead to the industry’s digital future, have been revealed.

Held at the Textile Centre of Excellence, and hosted by Kirklees Council’s Creative Economy Team and HATCH, an event on 18 April officially launched WOVEN, the introductory celebration of the globally recognised textile industry in Kirklees, announcing its events programme and festival partners.

WOVEN aims to bring together the local community to take pride in its textiles heritage and celebrate its future opportunities for careers, creativity and innovation. The event takes place Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 June, the festival’s events programme will involve cultural partners, artist, education settings, businesses, and industry and heritage sites across the district.

Events during the week will include ‘The Big Knit’ on 8 June, which will encourage the community to yarn bomb local landmarks across Kirklees. Mills will open their doors to the public alongside heritage guided walks and pop-up exhibitions will showcase local creative talent. Mills will also be opening their doors to the public alongside heritage guided walks and pop-up exhibitions will showcase local creative talent.

Businesses, families and local schools are also being encouraged to get involved in the Spectacular Innovation Showcase at the University of Huddersfield, which will include fashion shows, science workshops and arts and crafts. Advice on careers in the textile industry will be also available throughout the day.

Speakers at the launch event, which included Councillor Turner, the Textile Centre of Excellence, the University of Huddersfield and WOVEN curators, HATCH, highlighted how communities, businesses and the winder industry are engaging with WOVEN, science and innovation in textiles, as well as highlighting ambitions for future WOVEN festivals.

WOVEN is to become a biennial event in the Kirklees’ events calendar, with the next festival taking place in 2021, and will help embed activity through long term projects across the local cultural, education and industry sectors. It has been initiated by Kirklees Council, which has commissioned HATCH to collaborate with local businesses, schools, communities and artists.

WOVEN is looking for enthusiastic volunteers from across the district to be the face of WOVEN. They need volunteers to support the set up events and activities, to be present at public facing events, help direct people between activities and around the district, write blogs, make vlogs and much more! If you want to find out more go to: woveninkirklees.co.uk/get-involved/volunteering/

For more information visit https://topicuk.co.uk/kirklees-textile-celebration-programme-revealed/