After a two year break due to Covid, Ilkley Carnival is back with a bang.
The family fun day will return this year on Monday 2 May - May Day Bank Holiday 2022.
The volunteer-run May Day event has raised over £60,000 for causes within the local community since 2012- including schools, sports clubs, drama groups and local charities.
The day kicks off with a fantastical parade which starts on The Grove with over 1,000 participants from local schools, organisations, scouts and guides; the parade then finishes off at the show ground where a day of fun and festivities unfolds for all the family.
Image: Ilkley Carnival
This year's carnival has something for everyone and you'll be spoilt for choice with activities to get involved with and performances to watch. There's a 'Fun Dog Show' where you can enter your furry friend to win a prize in a number of categories including happiest dog, scruffiest dog and golden oldie.
The headline act taking the stage are The 3Sixty Bicycle Stunt Team who hold no less than 8 Guinness World Records, they will be delighting the audience with an array of high-flying leaps, tricks and skills.
Image: Ilkley Carnival
There will also be a funfair with all your classics, think hook-a-duck and basketball shoot where you can try your luck to win a prize.
If you're feeling brave you can take a ride on the waltzers or make your way through the fun house. You can find the full timetable for the day on the Ilkley Carnival website.
All profits from ticket sales go back into the local community and you can buy your tickets on the gates to the fairground, tickets will cost £6 per adult and £2 per child.
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
‘It wasn’t its time’ – Mediterranean Leeds cafe closes just two months after opening
Clementine Hall
A new street food spot has sadly closed its doors just two months after opening.
Back in May, a beautiful taste of the Mediterranean was was brought to us by Shvaan, a very talented chef who previously worked alongside his family at Eastern Oven in Kirkgate Market.
An absolute gem of a spot, Eastern Oven is known for its fresh breads, aromatic meats and plates bursting with colour - and this is exactly what Shvaan set up with FenerBar.
This new venture opened up inside The Attic, a multidisciplinary arts and events space just on the outskirts of the city centre by The Tetley and the new Aire Park development.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up Eastern Mediterranean dishes like mackerel, lamb and beef kebabs, as well as various colourful vegan plates, everything at Fenerbar was homemade and you could really tell the amount of love put into each and every dish.
Unfortunately, Fenerbar has now closed its doors with owner Shvaan stating 'it wasn't it's time'.
Announcing the sad news to Instagram, Fenerbar said: "fenerBar has been closed. It wasn’t its time, whether it’s from the past or in the future, we’ll have to find out.
"Many thanks to @theatticleeds for hosting me and giving me the space to give it a shot. Wish them all the best. And thanks to everyone who came."
Of course in true Leeds fashion, fellow independents flocked to the comments showing their support and wishing Fenerbar all the luck in the next chapter.
We're sure this isn't the end for Shvaan's talents, and we can't wait to see what he does next.
Clementine Hall -
29th April 2022 
