Puppet trail aims to save popular Beverley Puppet Festival
A puppet trail is to see colourful creations hidden throughout the market town of Beverley this weekend after a full festival was withdrawn.
The bi-annual festival, a staple in the town for the past two decades, was cancelled this year when its usual funding bid failed.
Now the Beverley Puppet Trail takes its place until tomorrow, Sunday July 26, leaving people on a puppet hunt around the town centre.
Puppets are to appear in shop windows, with trail sheets from the tourist information centre and local businesses.
There is also an online survey, gathering people's thoughts about why the festival was much-loved, and ideas for how it can continue or volunteer opportunities.
It comes after a £62,000 funding bid, which in the past has secured up to £100,000 from Arts Council England (ACE), was unsuccessful.
Outgoing festival founder and co-director Anna Ingleby said: “The beloved biennial festival has run for over 20 years and is an important part of Beverley’s cultural offering.
"We had an exceptionally fun and full programme planned for 2026 but unfortunately, due to lack of funding, it had to be cancelled.
"I believe this year’s Beverley Puppet Trail will provide the perfect platform to get feedback via our online survey, not just from our 30,000 residents but from all our amazing visitors as well," she added.
"We really do need support from local people if it is to continue in the future - it isn’t just about funding.”
Beverley Town Council had already set aside £3,000 of funds, while the Sir James Reckitt Charity has donated £1,000 more towards an outreach programme with schools.
Philip Guest, of Guest and Philips jewellers in Beverley said he hoped the survey can help prove there is demand through beverleypuppetfestival.com.
“It’s such a shame that this year’s puppet festival isn’t going ahead," he said. "We understand the pressures on public funds, but the arts are incredibly important for children and adults alike and Beverley Puppet Festival was a diverse cultural experience offering something for everyone."
And Nicky and Thierry from TC Patisserie added: “We have supported the Beverley Puppet Festival for many years and love the creativity, joy and number of visitors it brings to the town, it’s always a fun event on our summer calendar.”
The Puppet Trail survey can be found via the website www.beverleypuppetfestival.com.