The “Dirty Old Town” event on Saturday 19th October with Kevin Bell did not reflect this popular song title in any way. It was full of colour, wit and laughter. This is something we have come to expect from Keighley born and bred Kevin, a former teacher, now artist and performer, and still a bit of a “likely lad” at heart.
As usual much of the local audience was quick to join in with the reminiscences of old industrial Keighley round the time of the 1950s-1970s. There was much laughter to be had, as Kevin sang and played guitar through this song: kissing his girl “by the factory wall”, dreaming “a dream by the old canal”, watching “a train set the night on fire” and smelling “spring on the smoky wind”, (if only we could). Kevin took us through his own painted images of Keighley town with his depiction of some of its well-known characters and streets to illustrate past, but still fondly remembered, times. This is living local history at its best and it was a reminder of Ian Dewhirst’s rare talent.
It’s great to catch a glimpse of someone else’s lively imagination and Kevin made us all laugh when he took a popular image of the “American Gothic” painting by Grant Wood and converted it to his own rendition of “Yorkshire Gothic” as illustrated, complete with their own back story. Thames & Hudson art publishers eat your heart out.
Refreshments followed, donations were made, and there was the expected queue for Kevin’s pictures. The calendars and Christmas cards of old Keighley sold for the Keighley charities of the Salvation Army and the Good Shepherd Fund went like hot cakes.
Thanks to Kevin, Pauline Bell and the Salvation Army and all those who supported this grand event. There are very few calendars and Christmas cards left so if you are still wanting some, please come to the counter on the first floor of Keighley Library: calendars (£10) and packs of 6 cards are £5 each with 2 new illustrations, one Haworth, one Keighley.
