Rombald’s Rocks: Keighley Sculpture Trail is a community art project that is spread around the town centre. Each Rombald Rock has been displayed in a specially chosen location to create an interesting tour of the town and to celebrate some of Keighley’s wonderful landmarks and businesses.
Keighley Creative
This local arts charity is well-known for its exciting arts projects and Rombald’s Rocks is no exception (not that we’re biased! lol). We are proud to have supported Keighley-based artist, and one of our studio holders, Leonie Briggs in bringing this project to life.
Keighley Creative offers a range of services to local people looking for artistic opportunities be it providing education sessions, putting on fun community workshops, offering affordable studio spaces to hire and much more.
The sculpture we are proud to display as part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail is “Popcorn” designed by artist, Catherine Fortey. It is a tribute to the Picture House, a treasured historic cinema and Keighley institution.
We are also hosting an exhibition that is running alongside the sculpture trail, namely “The Making of Rombald’s Rocks”, which explains all about the people behind the project and what went on behind the scenes.
“Popcorn” can be seen through our window on Cooke Lane near Subway, however if you would like to view the exhibition, then it is open:
- Mondays, 10:00am till 12:30pm
- Wednesdays, 1pm till 4pm
- Saturdays, 11am till 3pm
- Until 29th June 2025
For more information on us, Keighley Creative, please read some more of our website or follow us on social media 🙂
Keighley Market
Located on Low Street in the centre of Keighley, the Market has long been a colourful and lively shopping destination so is the perfect place to provide a temporary home for one of the artworks on the Keighley Sculpture Trail.
Their sculpture has been decorated by young people at the One In A Million group at the Sue Belcher Centre, a charity supporting disadvantaged young people, and artist, Sian Atkinson. The team decorated the sculpture using acrylic and mixed media and named the sculpture “Cole” after one of the group members.
Keighley Market is home to quality food, fashion, jewellery, materials, shoe repairs, haberdashery, workwear, pet supplies, gifts, homeware, cleaning products, carpets, party supplies and lots more and we know our Rombald’s Rock feels very at home here.
The Market is situated between Low Street and Morrisons and is open Monday to Saturday 8:30am till 5:00pm and closes early on Tuesday at 2pm.
Royal Arcade
Built in 1899, the Royal Arcade is a hidden gem but one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Keighley. This Victorian shopping arcade was built to house a range of stylish and interesting stores, a purpose which it still fulfils today!
It’s current tenants include some amazing independent businesses offering a wealth of products including women’s fashion at Blue Ginger, handmade products and gifts at The Kindred Bizzare and Dollie Daydreams, tattoos at Ink Rethink and The Little Tattoo Rooms, flowers at House of Astor, sweet treats at The Cake ‘Ole, dog grooming at Ossie’s Hot Dogs, party suppliers at Helium, appliance repairs at Keighley Washer and Vac, musical instruments at Aire Valley Guitars, wellbeing services at The Retreat and hair dressing at S ‘n’ T Hair Studio, Kaos and MCK Design.
Thanks to the wonderful building, spooky cellars and interesting history, the arcade offers they also regularly host events such as ghost hunts, markets and the soon-to-be-repeated Twilight Market.
The Royal Arcade is housing the sculpture named As I Walk Along the Moor decorated by the Wednesday Leisure group and artist Laura Alice. They used mono-printing techniques to decorate the sculpture.
To visit the sculpture or one of the many fantastic independent retailers, access the Royal Arcade via the frontage on East Parade or via the steps at the back of Hanover Street. The centre is open 9am till 6pm Monday to Saturday, however please check opening times for individual businesses.
Old Parcels Office Cafe, Bar and Restaurant
The Old Parcels Office at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) is hosting a Rombald’s Rock artwork as part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail.
As a town, we are incredibly proud to be the home of the KWVR, a 5-mile-long heritage railway in the Worth Valley, which runs from Keighley town centre to Oxenhope. This recently refurbished café bar and restaurant, overlooking the tracks of Keighley Station, is a great venue for food and drinks in the centre of town and is popular with both locals and tourists alike.
This year, as part of the Bradford 2025 celebrations, the railway are extremely pleased to be hosting a theatrical performance of The Railway Children, which will be held throughout the summer and The Old Parcels Office is already seeing an increase in trade as a result.
The name of their sculpture is Ronnie and it has been designed by The Good Shepherd Centre’s craft group and Ukrainian artist Olha Zhydetska using acrylic and mixed media.
To find out more about the KWVR or to book a ticket to one of their experiences or The Railway Children performance, just visit their website or follow their social media.
Three Little Birds Bakery
One of the locations for the Keighley Sculpture Trail is the famous Three Little Birds Bakery. This successful Keighley business is known for making beautiful cakes that actually get eaten.
The business is owned by baker and entrepreneur, Bec Severs, who is also the Chair of the Keighley BID and is passionate about our town and making it a wonderful place to work and live. She really values the project saying:
“As a creative business in Keighley, we are so excited to be part of this event organised by Keighley Creative who provide such an important contribution to the town. The arts make life enjoyable, whether that’s through music, sculpture, dance, or indeed cake decorating. We are looking forward to seeing lots of people celebrating our local artists and having fun finding Rombald’s Rocks around Keighley! Thank you to Keighley Creative for inviting us to be part of this event.”
Three Little Birds Bakery are hosting “Princess Rocky Samra”, the Rombald’s Rocks inspired sculpture designed by the Highfield Community Association and Lisa Holmes of Photo Hub North CIC. The artwork is finished using images created using cyanotype, a photographic printing process.
To see this work-of-art in full, just pop in to the Three Little Birds Bakery at 14, Cavendish Street. They are open Monday to Friday 9.30am till 5pm and Saturday 9.30am till 3.30pm.
H. Brooks DIY
Photo: Bob Smith Photography
This firmly established family business is proud to be hosting a “Rombald’s Rock” as part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail.
This stalwart of Lawkholme Lane offers a huge range of DIY products, hardware, paint and wallpaper and a level of personal service you just won’t find anywhere else thanks to their decades of experience.
The sculpture that they are hosting has been shaped and carved by local artist, Leonie Briggs, and then decorated by Hainworth Wood Community Centre and artist Ciara Sturgess. The group named their rock, Roohoo, and decorated it using monoprinting techniques.
Michelle Simpson, one of the team at H. Brook DIY said:
“We feel privileged to host a Rombald’s Rock. The trail is another great idea from Keighley Creative to help encourage footfall in the town and bring a bit of colour, creativity and joy.”
So next time you’re doing some DIY, before you head to a big national chain store, pop to your local, friendly hardware dealer for some expert advice and support one of Keighley’s wonderful independent businesses.
They are based at 33, Lawkholme Lane near the Cavendish pub and are open 8.30am till 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am till 1.00pm on Sunday. (Bank holiday opening hours may vary.)
Melia Powell
Melia Powell Funeral Service has been helping local families during times of bereavement since 2013 through our funeral homes in Keighley and Sandbeds. The team at both branches provide support and guidance at every stage of the funeral planning process to ensure the funeral is as individual and unique as your loved one.
Melia Powell kindly offered to host one of the sculptures as they have a prime location on the corner of Cavendish Street and Town Hall Square. They also organised and ran a free workshop on the launch day for local people to make memory pebbles, which was a wonderful creative activity and very well attended.
The team at Melia Powell recognise the importance of such community projects and how encouraging local people to get involved in the arts can help bring people together and have a positive impact on the town as a whole.
The sculpture was decorated by Keighley-based artist, Jon Britten, who named her Interstellar Bella having been inspired by the idea of a rock floating off into space.
To find out more about their business, please visit their website. The sculpture is housed at 111-115 Cavendish Street in Keighley town centre.
Hairavanti
Family-business, Hairavanti, are a huge supporter of their hometown of Keighley and proud to be hosting one of the sculptures as part of the Rombald’s Rocks project.
This iconic Keighley business was for many decades on Cavendish Street but in 2024 moved to their fabulous new premises on the beautiful North Street. They offer a range of hairdressing services as well as selling a range of hair and beauty products and gifts.
In celebration of the project, Hairavanti are pleased to be offering a special deal in celebration of the Keighley Sculpture Trail so are offering 20% off some skincare products and gifts being sold in store. All you need to do to claim this discount is snap a selfie with Moor Born Gem, the Rombald’s Rock sculpture, and post it on your social media tagging @hairavanti.
The sculpture’s light-up design is created by local street artist, Dripsy, using acrylic, spray paint, and all the crystals were carved by hand out of foam.
Hairavanti are located at 68, North Street next to Town Hall Square. They are open Tuesdays to Saturdays. Check their website for more information.
Keighley Bus Station
Positioned on Towngate in front the the Airedale Shopping Centre, the bus station is at the heart of Keighley. It’s is a hub for local people travelling for work or pleasure in and around the district and sees thousands of people pass through its doors everyday.
Buses travel to and from Keighley from all over the Bradford district and beyond, travelling around town and even travelling further afield onto Leeds, Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Ilkley and Burnley in Lancashire.
Keighley Bus Station was delighted to be asked to host one of the Rombald’s Rocks as they thought an interesting piece of art might brighten up an often dull corner of this busy place and give something new and interesting to entertain all the commuters and day trippers.
The sculpture titled “Stories of Keighley” has been carved by Leonie Briggs and then decorated by illustrator, Nicola Storr. It is positioned near the ticket office and is open to view during opening hours of 5:00am and 11:30pm.
Airedale Shopping Centre
The hub of Keighley’s shopping district, the Airedale Shopping Centre has recently welcomed a new window display to catch shoppers’ eyes.
Situated between Next and Boots, “Stan” was carved by sculptor Leonie Briggs as part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail and then decorated by artist Sven Shaw. Sven has taken inspiration from the stained-glass windows at Cliffe Castle and used acrylic paints to create the finish.
The Airedale Shopping Centre is situated on Hanover Street, Low Street, Towngate and Cooke Lane and is open 7 days a week. The centre includes many big names such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, Peacocks, Specsavers, The Works, Superdrug, Trespass, Bon Marche, Poundland, Holland & Barrett, Bodycare, New Look, Shoezone and Max Spielman as well as arts charity, Keighley Creative.
