Supporting North: Investing in Local Performers
More than 70% of the performers at Silsden Town Hall in 2026 were from the North of England. The success of this year's programme as a celebration of northern musicians, actors and comedians is one that organisers and the board of trustees are proud of.
To ensure the Town Hall continues to invest ticket revenue in local arts, a permanent policy to support northern music, theatre and comedy has been introduced. From 2027, continuing immediately on the back of the 2026 programme, at least 60% of all performers in any one season will be from the north of England.
This policy is designed to outlast all current trustees and staff of the Town Hall, to ensure the legacy of a programme that supported local talent is built upon for those who will benefit from this building after us. It builds on our mission to fulfil the Town Hall's original purpose, set out by Lord Hothfield 140 years ago: "This building is not for this generation only, but it is intended to go down future generations for the cultural enrichment of the community."
'Northern', for this policy, is defined as those from within a 75km radius of Silsden (45 miles), or from any part of Yorkshire. This area stretches to Darlington in the north, just beyond York to the east (extended to Scarborough and Hull with inclusion of all Yorkshire counties), Sheffield and Macclesfield to the south, and Blackpool to the west.
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