Kirkstall Festival July 14, 2007

We are helping to celebrate Leeds being a City for 800 years. Thanks to the Celebrate Leeds 2007 team we have been given a grant to do something we have always wanted at the festival - JOUSTING! What a spectacle that will be. Knights on horseback trying to hurt each other. There will also be a demonstration of hunting from horseback, so keep the dog on a lead! Come and watch “dressing the knight”, nightshirt to full armour in 15 minutes, that should be good.

The Parade sets off from Hesketh Road at 12 noon. If you want to join in, wear a costume. You can choose any period between 1207 and now. If you don’t want to join in the Parade, then come and watch, its good, ask the kids.

This year, for the first time, we will have controlled and supervised parking facilities on the sports field opposite the Abbey. Do tell all your friends and family. Don’t park in the local streets, use the car park or walk or even come on your bike.

We have plenty of new attractions. Burley R.U.F.C. are doing a “tag” rugby competition, we are supplying a trophy, so why not enter? There will be the Older Active People’s Tea Dance in a marquee. A dog show for the dogs and people who like to look at dogs and we will have a Circus Workshop for all ages.

We have the Festival Church Service, with Leeds Central Salvation Army Brass Band, in the nave of the Abbey. A Scottish Piper will begin playing in the nave 3.45pm. The Festival Service begins at 4.15pm. Apart from leading the Parade into the grounds at 1pm, the Pipe Band will be on the Main Field at 2pm. We have just too many things going on for me to mention here, so you will just have to come along on July 14th and see for yourselves.

Don’t forget to buy a programme, it helps to pay for the festival, YOUR festival.

Official Website: http://www.kirkstall.org.uk