A HOST of free activities is taking place at Keighley Library to celebrate Heritage Open Days.

Hometown Arts & Crafts is the theme for the event, being staged at the North Street building on Saturday, September 9, between 10am and 4pm.

Kicking off the day will be Colin Neville, an art writer and curator of the popular website Not Just Hockney, who will give a talk, Tom Butterfield & Augustus Spencer: The Role of Keighley School of Art. He will also have several of his books available to buy.

Between 11.30am and 12.30pm, visitors can draw inspiration from local artist Ray Vintner when he gives a live painting demonstration, showing how to capture the atmosphere of a Bronte landscape.

Renowned Keighley artist Stan Boardman will be the subject of a talk, at 2pm, by Tim Neal, of Keighley and District Local History Society.

Stan's 1920s Boy work, depicting his memories of growing up in Keighley between the world wars, was originally shown at the town's Cliffe Castle Museum in 1973. Huge interest was sparked, leading to over 50 television appearances, on top-rated shows such as Pebble Mill. He died in 1996.

An exhibition of his work can be seen in the library and at Cliffe Castle, courtesy of the local history society.

Activities for youngsters will include a storytime with children’s author Simon Wilkinson, who will read excerpts from his book The Mammoth and the Moonstick, and a dinosaur story. It will be followed by Mammoth & Dinosaur arts and crafts, between 11am and noon.

Children will be able to design their own notebook, or colour in a Stan Boardman-inspired picture and add it to a giant mural of an old Keighley street scene, between 2pm and 3pm.

A number of local organisations will also be represented.

"The Queen’s Award-winning Men of Worth Project will be here to display some of its latest research into our local service men and women and help people with enquiries," said a library spokesperson.

"Airedale & Wharfedale Family History Society will also be on hand to give advice, Knit & Natter will be showing off its work and knitting skills between 10am and noon, and the local history society is also planning to showcase one or two more past local artists.

"Plus, visitors can 'get crafting' with Jean McEwan, of Create Connect Make, who will be running a drop-in session between 2pm and 4pm."