SILSDEN people are being urged to have their say on arts and cultural activities in the town.

Views are being sought on what is good and bad about current provision and how improvements could be made.

Leading the consultation are Silsden resident and artist David Driver and Bradford-based writer/creative artist Irene Lofthouse. They received a community arts and culture grant from Bradford Council for the initiative, part of developing a ten-year Culture is our Plan strategy for the Bradford district.

The duo is being helped in its mission by a robot, ELI24!

“Silsden has been identified by the council as an area that doesn’t get much involved in consultations and we wanted to discover why that was,” said David.

“So I created ELI24 out of recycled waste materials as a playful way of exploring the issue and discovering what activities Cobbydalers want to see and be involved with in the future.

“ELI24 wanted to meet people in person but due to the new coronavirus restrictions he’s unable to wander the streets and is ‘shielding’ in the Many Hands shop in Silsden!”

Irene says they are keen to hear from residents about creative activities that are currently taking place in the town – and what is missing.

“We want Cobbydalers to tell us what is and isn’t happening,” she said.

“We’re keen to hear about all creative activities – whether art or craft based, performance, writing, dance, music, comedy, textiles, singing, design – not just costumes, but all design – DJing, heritage and history, walks, recording and everything else in between!

“And tell us what is missing in the town and what could be improved. What are the barriers to setting-up things or accessing them? Are all ages, young and old, catered for – if not, why not?

“As ELI24 can’t be out and about at the moment, he has created a dedicated email address to which people can send their comments – eli24silsden@gmail.com.

“He’s also left fliers around the town which residents can pick-up and write their comments on – a photo of these can then be emailed or may be dropped into buckets at the Many Hands shop, The Old Post Office Cafe and the Co-Op for ELI24 to collect.”

People can also make short videos or audios and send them to eli24silsden@gmail.com, or simply forward their comments electronically.

The buckets and email facility will be available until Monday, October 5. All comments will then be collated and the findings reported back to the council.

Irene said: “By making a video or audio – or writing and posting comments and suggestions – you can share with the council your ideas, likes, dislikes and thoughts."