A MAJOR literature festival and a journey back in time are two of the highlights of events taking place in the Bradford district this weekend.

Ilkley Literature Festival kicks off this weekend, with headline appearances at the weekend coming from Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and journalist Sian Williams tomorrow, and politician Alan Johnson on Sunday.

Along with celebrity talks, a huge range of activities are on offer around the town.

Also tomorrow is Living History day at Bolling Hall museum, focusing on the English Civil War, with real 17th century equipment and demonstrations from 10am to 5pm.

Numerous fundraising events are also taking place tomorrow across the district.

At Bingley Arts Centre, 50 Shades of Pink, a joint concert from the Bradford Accordion Band and the Pennine Chimes, will take place from 7.30pm.

The concert is in aid of Breast Cancer Care, and tickets cost £10 from the Arts Centre.

The annual Cystic Fibrosis charity fun day will take place in Haworth Central Park throughout the day.

There will be a walk through the setting of the iconic 1970s film The Railway Children, which costs £10 for adults and £5 for children to take part in on the day.

Isabella and Charlie’s cocktail and comedy festival will also take place in Haworth over the weekend at Haworth Community Centre to raise money for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

Yorkshire’s best upcoming comedians will be performing, and tickets are available at eventbrite.co.uk.

St Mary’s Church in Spen Lane, Gomersal, is holding its second biblical scarecrow festival this weekend.

Around 25 biblical characters will be on display at the church.

The festival is free to enter, and will run form 10am to 3pm each day.

Bradford Salem RUFC is holding a taster session tomorrow for women and girls to go along to have a go at rugby union for free, between 11am and 1pm.

There will also be a free big picnic in Roberts Park, Saltaire tomorrow from noon to 4pm.

There will be a range of activities for both adults and children, including a bucking bronco and a bouncy castle.

On Sunday, Drifters MCC bike club will be holding a “bit of a bike show” at the Horse and Groom pub in Beacon Road, Wibsey, Bradford, with a live band, races and stalls, starting at noon.