Volunteers’ festival becomes charity

Saltaire Festival has always been a not-for-profit event run by volunteers but now has full charitable status.

Organisers are appealing to anyone who wants to help or take part in the festival to get in touch with them.

Festival chair Ros Garside said: “We’re very happy to have become a charity. This presents us with new opportunities but we still rely on people from the community getting involved to make everything happen.

“I want to welcome the new helpers who have come forward since last September and extend the invitation to anyone thinking of volunteering.”

This year’s Saltaire Festival, which will be the ninth, will take place from September 8 to 18.

Organisers promise a varied programme of exhibitions, performances, markets and food.

Regular highlights including a ball, makers’ fair and schools’ celebration will return alongside new literary and musical talents making a debut for 2011.

More details will be announced as the festival draws near, said organisers.