WET weather could not deter people from attending this year’s Saltaire Festival, which began this weekend.

Crowds flocked to various locations around the village for events over the weekend, with the rain failing to put a dampener on proceedings.

The first event on Friday night was a preview to an exhibition by Kay Andrews, resident artist to this year’s festival, at Saltaire United Reformed Church.

Also starting on Friday night, for the first time, was the Saltaire Inspired Maker’s Fair at Victoria Hall, which also ran throughout the day on Sunday.

Gillian Allmark, of Saltaire Inspired, said: “The fair went really well, we had a great afternoon on Friday and Saturday was probably one of the busiest days we have had.

“There was a great atmosphere and it was really busy in and around Victoria Hall for the festival.”

Also taking place on Saturday was the West Yorkshire Organic Group’s 28th annual organic fruit, flower, vegetable and produce show, which was held in Exhibition Hall.

Saltaire Brewery also held its annual beer festival at its Brewery Tap on Friday and Saturday, with ale-lovers turning out in force to sample the brewery’s range of beers.

Elsewhere in the UNESCO World Heritage Site village, on Sunday children’s activities were held in Roberts Park, Salts Mill revealed its two new exhibitions, one celebrating the 80th birthday of Bradford artist David Hockney, and the other a special piece by Bradford photographer Ian Beesley looking at how the mill has changed over the years, accompanied by poetry from Ian McMillan.

Both of the exhibitions will run throughout the festival, which ends on Sunday, September 17.

Residents also threw open their doors to revellers as part of the Open Houses events, with live music, art exhibitions and sales and crafts all taking place around the village.

There was also the open gardens and sculpture trail around the village, which will continue this week.

Today, an evening of food and Bollywood dancing is taking place at the Curryosity Café in Bingley Road from 6pm, and there is also a poetry event at The Hop from 7.30pm.

Tomorrow, an Edwardian style tea party focusing on the Suffragettes forms part of the Saltaire Festival.

The event, which runs from 3pm until 5.30pm, is organised by local women’s historian, Helen Broadhead, and playwright, Hattie Townsend.

The women will dress as Suffragettes, and they will be joined by Emma Bradnum who will be singing and performing.

Also tomorrow, a comedy night starring Justin Moorhouse - who appeared in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights - and Katie Mulgrew takes place at the Caroline Street Social Club and is followed on Thursday by the debut of Little Light’’, a new play performed by Shipley Little Theatre.

There will also be another busy weekend of events around the village to close the festival for this year.