K-Town People

Bob Smith

Event Details

Date 21 -28 March 2026

Times See detail below

Location Keighley Creative
3–7 Cooke Lane, Keighley, BD21 3PF

Ages All ages welcome

For more than 30 years, Bob Smith documented Keighley life as a press photographer for the Keighley News. When he joined the paper in 1983, he was given a straightforward piece of advice: “Faces sell papers.” It still stands. We look out for each other – in our streets, in our stories, and in the images we click on, clip out, and share.

Keighley, though, has often been overlooked or misrepresented in the national press. And as northern and working-class voices continue to be sidelined across the UK’s cultural landscape, the stories that matter most to towns like Keighley are too often pushed to the margins of print, screen, and the arts.

Bob’s photographs push back, and in K-Town People his instinct for the moments that matter most brings together a joyful portrait of Keighley in 2025.

K-Town People Newspaper & Exhibition Launch

Saturday 21st March | 12-4pm

Keighley Creative
3–7 Cooke Lane, Keighley, BD21 3PF

K-Town People Exhibition, newspaper collection point

Meet the artist, Bob Smith.

Film-loop in Stockroom Cinema, showcasing Our Patch & Keighley Creative projects.

Make Your Own Mini-Newspaper

Airedale Shopping Centre

Events & Piano Space, BD21 3QQ
12-3pm

Free, family-friendly drop-in workshop.
Try Zine Making and Polaroid Photography to create your own mini K-Town People newspaper. With artists Lauren Kelly and Adriana Szczerepa.

Adaptable for all ages and abilities.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Keighley Chorus

Airedale Shopping Centre

Events & Piano Space, BD21 3QQ
3-4pm

Come and have a go at singing with choir leader Hannah Butterfield.
Featuring international pianist and vocalist Shane Durrant and the wonderful Keighley Chorus, a choir who learn as they go.

All voices welcome. No experience necessary.

Walkabout Acts

12-4pm

Look out for our K-Town People Newspaper Callers popping up around town, sharing local stories and handing out newspapers!

Additional Exhibition Opening Times

Keighley Creative

Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th, 12-4pm

Evening Opening: Wednesday 25th, 5-7pm

Saturday 28th March, 10am-4pm

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Keighley Cougars: physio Lyndsey Hatton works on one of the players before the match. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Sarah Nowell, Culture Club wardrobe manager. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Olha Zhydetska. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Keighley Cricket Club scorer Jacob Hamblin-Bailey. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Rugby union player Ellie Kildunne. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People: Picture House projectionist Bob Pearson. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Bradford City of Culture 2025; K-Town People. Oakworth Shed. John Blakey, left, and Allan Ruddock at work. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

I love this town and all its foibles, and I wanted to capture moments that represent daily life – at work, getting creative, playing sports, being social, and celebrating one and other. ”

Bob Smith

Photographer

Credits

Images: Bob Smith

Our Patch is funded by The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund. We extend our thanks to all players of the National Lottery.