Arts Diary: Will Marriott

There’s been much talk of how next year’s Olympic Games can benefit the rest of the UK, but two Yorkshire artists have already left their mark on a little corner of East London. Ilkley husband and wife team Juliet and Jamie Gutch were commissioned to create a giant art installation which will dominate the John Lewis department store. Part of the Westfield Shopping development, which millions will pass through on their way to the Olympic park next summer, An Exaltation of Larks, featuring four aluminium and glass mobiles, has just been installed. “Skylarks are dull little brown birds on the ground but come to life in flight when the underneath of their wings flashes white,” says Juliet. “They are so joyful and vibrant when they are singing and that’s the feeling we wanted to create.”

After three days of genre crossing music that gave a nod to everything from 90s indie to the current top ten, Bingley Live 2011, which took place last weekend, is fast becoming a name to watch on the festival circuit. A special mention has to go to Maximo Park, Wrecth 32, Jon Fratelli and The Stereo MCs – if there had been a roof, it would have been raised. Chase and Status brought the event to a sublime close and for pure value for money, the event is unrivalled. So if you want to reserve your place for 2012, early bird tickets for next year are now on sale at www.bingleymusiclive.com

Been wondering what to do about all those CDs gathering dust now music collections have gone digital? Well the Living Room Leeds is holding an amnesty as part of its Music Magpie campaign. Running throughout September and October, the Greek Street bar is taking in unwanted album CDs and DVDs and it assures us no disc is too old or embarrassing to raise vital funds for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins. All donations will be sent to the cash for music website Music Magpie and for every one donated 50p will go to Nordoff Robbins.

A descendant of Titus Salt is flying back into Yorkshire for the launch of a new book about the history of Milner Field, the Saltaire mansion, which was originally built for his son. Denys Salt, the grandson of Titus Salt Jnr, is travelling from Austria to be special guest at the launch of Milner Field – The Lost Country House of Titus Salt Jnr at Salts Mill this Sunday. Written by Richard Lee-Van den Daele and R David Beale, the book traces the story of the house built on huge wealth, graced by royal visitors, but which was also dogged by misfortune and, after years of standing empty was torn down. The launch will be followed by a book signing from 2pm on Sunday.

Wakefield songwriter Sarah Horn is being tipped for big things. The 18-year-old, who has been playing at folk clubs since the age of 13, was picked as part of the Class of 2011 by PRS for Music celebrating the next generation of songwriting and composing talent. Sarah has already performed at Galtres Festival, near York, the Shepley Spring Festival and at the Yorkshire Wolds’ Moonbeams festival in July and, according to those in the know, she’s definitely a name to watch.