COMING SOON! On Saturday 24th May 2025, we are proud to be launching our big project for 2025, the Keighley Sculpture Trail.
Local artist, illustrator and sculptor, Leonie Briggs is the founder of the project and is working with our team to bring the trail to life with 10 sculptures being unveiled around the town centre.
For the project’s theme Leonie has been inspired by local legend, Rombald the Giant, whose statue sits in the Airedale Shopping Centre.
The story goes that Rombald and his wife threw stones that broke and created the Cow and Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor. But Leonie wondered where the other little rocks might have ended up?! And the idea for the Rombald’s Rocks themed trail was born.
The Keighley Sculpture Trail is being supported by the Bradford 2025 Creative Communities Fund and Keighley BID, and its aims are to encourage creativity and increase footfall for businesses within the district. Therefore the team wanted to involve people from Keighley as much as possible so have been proactively looking for those who would like to get involved. Opportunities we have recruited for include workshop facilitators, graphic designers, selection panel members and artists.
Ten “Rombald’s Rocks” sculptures are being made by Leonie. Five of them will be decorated by groups representing different communities of Keighley, namely Highfield Community Association, The Good Shepherd Centre, One in a Million group at Sue Belcher Centre, Wednesday Leisure and Hainworth Wood Community Centre. The other five will be decorated by selected individual artists that have been chosen by a community panel made up of local volunteers.
The launch of “Rombald’s Rocks” is on Saturday 24th May 2025. The ten sculptures will be unveiled in different locations around Keighley, encouraging people to explore the town centre and highlighting some local landmarks. The trail is also supported by Keighley BID and local businesses as they recognise how such events are key for promoting shopping on the high street.
Prior to the launch weekend, the team will be encouraging more people to get involved so they are running free, family-friendly arts and crafts workshops.
Cat Murray, Keighley Creative’s Event Manager explained:
“The trail is not just for artists, it’s for everyone. We want as many local people as possible to get involved so we are running workshops around town from the end of April, where local people can come along and make their own Rombald’s Rocks themed artworks. Also we’d love people to take an active role in the launch weekend if possible so we have volunteer roles available. Watch this space for more information on these upcoming opportunities.”
For more information on Keighley Sculpture Trail, workshops and volunteer opportunities, follow our social media @keighleycreative or look out for the flyers including a trail map which will be available at key locations in the town centre.
Watch this space for more information!
