Lots to look forward to in Batley

As the Batley and Birstall communities prepare for the forthcoming year, they reveal their hopes for 2014.

Batley Business Association chairman Andrew Marsden said he had big expectations after securing funding for a vintage fair.

Batley, Birstall and Birkenshaw Area Committee allocated £11,915 of its budget for the event to be held in May.

 

It will feature live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, sports and a market across the market place.

Mr Marsden said: “There is a huge amount of planning and work to be done but this is the first time Batley will have seen anything like this.”

 

BBA is hopeful of reopening Batley’s public toilets after councillors flushed plans to change the loos into a shop.

Mr Marsden said: “If the funding from central government is available, then we see no reason why we cannot get them back up and running.”

 

Mark Griffin, who is behind Batley Smile – a web-based campaign to put Batley on the map – is preparing for he expects to be a great year.

He said: “We want to make Batley Festival bigger. It will be our third year and we want people to make it what they want it to be. Batley hosting two big events is great.”

Mr Griffin believes the town will benefit from a £2m grant awarded from the Arts Council England as part of its Creative People and Places programme.

He added: “There is a lack of places to go but hopefully it will encourage more people to engage with the arts.”

Locals have also been sharing their hopes on Facebook.

Claire Vickers said she wanted a crafts fair and more activities for under eights.

And Brenda Murrock added: “Less traffic through the rat run that is now Birstall, especially heavy lorries.”