RURAL ARTS

RURAL ARTS Rural Arts is a registered charity that delivers inspiring and inclusive creative opportunities Welcome to Rural Arts' page. Thank you!

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08/09/2026

Ready for a story adventure? 🌟📚

Join storyteller Betty for a high energy, interactive adventure where stories leap off the page! 🎭🎶

Through song, music, drama and movement, children will explore far-flung lands, meet curious characters and help shape the story along the way.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to create, play, laugh, sing and explore, with a few unexpected detours thrown in! ✨

Hear from Betty in the video and discover what you can expect from this fun-filled session.

This workshop is part of Bookmarked: Thirsk’s Launch Weekend, with lots of fun activities and events happening across the town. Come along, get involved and help us celebrate the start of an exciting year of creativity and storytelling in Thirsk! 🎉

📍 White Rose Books & Coffee Bar

Bring your imagination, ideas and sense of adventure and discover what happens when you explore beyond the pages of a book! 📖✨

Book now, link in bio!

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

08/09/2026

Ready for a story adventure? 🌟📚

Join storyteller Betty for a high energy, interactive adventure where stories leap off the page! 🎭🎶

Through song, music, drama and movement, children will explore far-flung lands, meet curious characters and help shape the story along the way.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to create, play, laugh, sing and explore, with a few unexpected detours thrown in! ✨

Hear from Betty in the video and discover what you can expect from this fun-filled session.

This workshop is part of Bookmarked: Thirsk’s Launch Weekend, with lots of fun activities and events happening across the town. Come along, get involved and help us celebrate the start of an exciting year of creativity and storytelling in Thirsk! 🎉

📍 White Rose Books & Coffee Bar

Bring your imagination, ideas and sense of adventure and discover what happens when you explore beyond the pages of a book! 📖✨

Book now:
https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/bookmarked-early-years-movement-workshop/

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Get ready to sing your heart out at Bookmarked! 🎶✨ Love the songs from Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical? Then join us at...
07/09/2026

Get ready to sing your heart out at Bookmarked! 🎶✨

Love the songs from Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical? Then join us at The Ritz Cinema, Thirsk for a very special sing-along screening! 🎤

Follow the extraordinary Matilda as she uses her vivid imagination and incredible courage to stand up for herself and change her story, with miraculous results.

And the best part? You get to sing along! 🙌🎶

📍 The Ritz Cinema, Thirsk
🎟️ Book your tickets and join the fun!

Bring your singing voice and get ready for a magical, musical movie experience! 💫

This special screening is part of Bookmarked: Thirsk’s launch weekend, with lots of fun activities and events happening across the town.

Come along, get involved and help us celebrate the start of an exciting year of creativity in Thirsk! 🎉

Book now: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/across-the-region/bookmarked-matilda-the-musical-sing-along/

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Join us in Thirsk 11 - 13 September for the launch of Bookmarked, link in bio to book your tickets 🎟️ Peter Wright from ...
07/09/2026

Join us in Thirsk 11 - 13 September for the launch of Bookmarked, link in bio to book your tickets 🎟️

Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet will be with us in Thirsk on Friday 11th September for a Talk and Q&A!

2pm - 3pm - Peter Wright: A Life in Herriot and Beyond

We also have Michelle Wade delivering a workshop earlier on the Friday where you will be able to create your own illustrated postcard.

11am -1pm All Creatures Great and Small Inspired Watercolour Illustrations

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

The World Of James Herriot

06/09/2026

Calling all little makers and Gruffalo fans!

To celebrate the launch of The Gruffalo Granny, artist Lauren Shields is joining us at the White Rose Book Café for a very special Gruffalo Granny inspired Character Creations workshop as part of Bookmarked Thirsk!

Using wooden peg dolls, plenty of colourful materials and LOTS of imagination, you’ll create your very own Gruffalo-inspired character to take home.

Book via the link in our bio / ruralarts.org

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

05/09/2026

Ready to get creative? ✨🎨

On 11 September, join artist Michelle Wade () for a hands-on painting session as part of Bookmarked: Thirsk.

From 11am–1pm, discover your creative side, spend some time painting and enjoy a relaxed session creating All Creatures Great and Small Inspired Postcards

Hear from Michelle in the video and find out more about
what you can expect from the session.

11 September | 11am–1pm
James Herriot Quaker Meeting House
£15

Watch the video and book your place, link in bio!

Bookmarked: Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

We can't wait for tonight's performance with Steve Tilston. There's still time to grab a ticket, we'd love to see you th...
03/09/2026

We can't wait for tonight's performance with Steve Tilston. There's still time to grab a ticket, we'd love to see you there.

Book now via our website: www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/at-the-courthouse/music-monthlies-steve-tilston/

There should also be a few tickets on the door but we reccomend booking in advance.

If you've already got plans this evening, make sure you have a look at our other upcoming performances and workshops on our website!

Different Strings Music Agency

📚✨ Just 9 days to go! ✨📚The pages are turning and Bookmarked is almost here!From 11 - 13 September, Thirsk will come ali...
02/09/2026

📚✨ Just 9 days to go! ✨📚
The pages are turning and Bookmarked is almost here!

From 11 - 13 September, Thirsk will come alive with 24 events celebrating books, creativity, art, performance, stories and the people who make our town so special.

Whether you fancy making, creating, listening, exploring or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there’s plenty to discover across the town.

👉 Swipe to see the full line-up and start planning your weekend!

Date: 11 - 13 September
📍 Across Thirsk town centre

The countdown is on… which page will you turn to first? 📖✨

Book now: https://www.ruralarts.org/whats-on/

Bookmarked: Thirsk is funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

Illustration by Jonluke McKie
Instagram:

01/09/2026

What happens when a whole town comes together to get creative? 📚🎨🎬✨

Our Head of Participation, Claire Ford, talks about Bookmarked and the ideas behind the exciting new programme – celebrating stories, creativity, books, art, performance and the people who make Thirsk what it is.

Launching with 24 events across three days, Bookmarked is an invitation to get involved, try something new, discover creativity and be part of the story,

🎥 Hear from Claire and find out what Bookmarked: Thirsk is all about.

Date: 11 -13 September📍 Across Thirsk town centre

Which page will you turn to first? 📖✨

Explore the full event line up: https://www.ruralarts.org/

Bookmarked Thirsk is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.

What happens at FEAST+?FEAST+ isn’t about sitting in a classroom all day.It’s a chance to try new things, meet new peopl...
01/09/2026

What happens at FEAST+?

FEAST+ isn’t about sitting in a classroom all day.

It’s a chance to try new things, meet new people, build confidence and develop practical skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Over six weeks, participants can get involved in:

- Cookery and healthy living
- Budgeting and independent living skills
- Creative activities
- Confidence, wellbeing and resilience with an athlete mentor
- CVs, interviews and employability skills
- Exploring education, training, volunteering and employment
- One-to-one support and mentoring

Everyone’s journey is different- and FEAST+ is designed to help young people think about what comes next for them.

Starting in Thirsk this September, before moving to Selby in November and Scarborough in January.

- Small, supportive groups
- Travel support available where needed
- Free to take part

Know a young person aged 16–24 who could benefit?

Get in touch:

[email protected]
01845 526536

Address

The Old Courthouse
Thirsk
YO71QS

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

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