Crown of Lights set to extend

The announcement was made by organiser of the much-loved Heckmondwike event, Donal O’Driscoll, at Batley and Spen District Committee on Wednesday.

Mr O’Driscoll was there to ask councillors to fund the event to the tune of £11,130 – roughly half the overall cost. He told the meeting: “At the moment we are struggling to fit on all the acts.

“If we do it over two days we can fit in 27 or 28 acts in total.”

There are no plans to charge for the event in Green Park, which has always been free.

Mr O’Driscoll spoke passionately about the festival, which has been going for 12 years. He explained that it helped drive the local music scene and was key in the survival of The Comrades Club.

The festival is family friendly and a significant event in the social calendar. Around 1,600 people have attended previous festivals and the organisation has been flooded with positive comments after each one.

In his submission to the committee, Mr O’Driscoll said: “Many people would be hugely disappointed if this annual festival were to stop. Many people see this event as equally significant to the town as the pioneering Christmas illuminations.”

Kirklees Council leader and Heckmondwike councillor David Sheard endorsed the move. Councillors agreed the grant application.

The 2015 festival is set to take place on July 18 and 19. Day one live performances will last from noon-10pm and on day two from 11am/noon-6pm.