Arts guide ceases publication after serving town for 20 years

From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Feb 2006.

ART lovers in Ilkley are mourning the passing of an old friend. The free monthly `Go-To-It' arts listing guide to what's on in the Ilkley area has ceased publication after 20 years.

The guide, which has been available in the tourist information office, shops, the library, banks and other businesses, was the brainchild of the Keith Hartley, the president of the Ilkley and District Arts Federation.

Mr Hartley said: "Twenty years ago, the federation decided to make a listing of arts events in Ilkley district, which included concerts in Leeds and Bradford, but the majority of the input was in Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Addingham.

"It came out once a month. We printed it locally and the advertising paid for it. Any money we made was pumped back into the local arts scene."

"It was voluntary. And after 20 years, I tried to find someone to take it over but I was unsuccessful."

Mr Hartley, of Hangingstone Road, Ilkley, became publisher, editor, diary compiler, advertising director and distribution manager.

At first, his own money went into it but he gradually built up a clientele of advertisers which paid for the production of 3,000 to 3,600 leaflets every month.

Ruth Hill, whose late husband parish councillor Rowland Hill was an enthusiastic supporter of cultural events in the town, praised Mr Hartley for his work.

She said: "The one time director of Yorkshire Arts, the editor, motivated by a love of literature, music and art, has for the last 20 years generously given time to make available this diary of local events in a handy leaflet at no cost to those of us who have picked it up.

"By doing so he has widened the audience of both large and small events. He has served the arts with unusual dedication and we have benefited not only from the concise nature of the leaflet, but also from the comments and quotations included, which have given us many a chuckle.

"We are sorry to say goodbye to Keith. He has been very dedicated - it is nice to have people like that."

As well as providing listings for the area, the guide has over the years also included examples of Mr Hartley's idiosyncratic sense of humour with a selection of amusing press cuttings, quotations and an editorial column.

Mr Hartley, a retired company director, said that once he had organised the listing sources, the guide used to take him about half-a-day's work to put together.

As well as listings, it also contained a map of Ilkley town centre with the advertisers' businesses highlighted.

"But after 20 years you just want a rest," said Mr Hartley.

In December's last issue of Go-To-It, Mr Hartley says: "We express our grateful thanks to all advertisers who have assisted us in keeping our publication on the road for so many years and we hope that all our readers have derived some benefit from our publication."

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