Gentleman Jack ballet part of summer festival

A Gentleman Jack ballet will be performed on the grounds of Anne Lister's home as part of a summer of cultural events.

Stage at the Lake, a four-day open-air festival in Halifax, will include music, comedy, theatre and a community garden trail - celebrating 100 years since Shibden Park came into public ownership.

Shibden Hall was the home of Anne Lister from 1815 to 1836, who has been called "the first modern lesbian", and was the subject of the BBC series, Gentleman Jack.

Running from 13 to 16 August, the festival will include performances from Northern Ballet, as well as concerts from the English Chamber Orchestra and Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Scott Patient, deputy leader of Calderdale Council, said Anne Lister's story continued to "resonate" with people.

"Her story as an out lesbian and what she says have really resonated with people.

"We're really proud of that legacy and just want to tell more people about it, so this is a big opportunity to do that," he said.

The closing event of the festival will be a screening of the film Brassed Off, live scored by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, marking 30 years since the film was shot at The Piece Hall.

Patient said the town - which announced its bid for Town of Culture earlier this month - was increasingly becoming a centre for live events.

"We're very lucky here. I think we're about above our average, we're in between Leeds and Manchester, big hitters on the national stage, but I think we'll go our way."

The festival will also include a trail of micro gardens as part of the Seeds of Hope initiative.

Groups will be awarded £5,000 grants to create eight mini gardens as part of a partnership between Calderdale Council and UNESCO.

Running alongside the live events, the community garden trail will include an interactive performance by Mr Bloom & His Band from CBeebies' Mr Bloom's Nursery.

Patient said he hoped the events would get "families and young people involved".

"We want participation from all communities, not just places like Hebden Bridge but the way that people in places like Park Ward and some of our more deprived communities access it, we want to enhance that, allow people to play part of it, feel part of it like it's for them, not just for a certain demographic."

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