The Haydn Wood Music Festival, a much-loved fixture in the local calendar, will return to Linthwaite this autumn, continuing a proud tradition that stretches back more than six decades.

Taking place on November 20-21 2026 at Linthwaite Methodist Church, the festival remains a celebration of musical talent, community spirit and local heritage.

Named after the renowned Slaithwaite-born composer Haydn Wood, the event has built a strong reputation for encouraging performers of all ages while maintaining a welcoming, supportive atmosphere.

The festival was originally established to provide a platform for performers of all ages and abilities to showcase their talents.

Over time, it has grown into a well-respected event, attracting participants from across the region and beyond while still maintaining its distinctly local feel.

At its heart, the festival has always been about encouraging participation, nurturing emerging talent and celebrating a shared love of music creating an environment where performers, audiences and adjudicators feel part of something genuinely local and close-knit.

That sense of continuity is perhaps best illustrated by the people at its heart. One of the current accompanists first entered the very first festival in 1961, competing every year until the age of 18.

After spending five years away, they returned in 1971 as an accompanist and have continued to support the festival in that role ever since. It is a remarkable story of dedication spanning decades, and perfectly reflects the festival’s enduring spirit.

This deep-rooted connection is echoed more broadly within the organisation itself. The current committee includes individuals with long-standing ties to the festival, including familial links to Haydn Wood.

This personal connection brings a unique authenticity to the event, ensuring that the original vision and values remain at its core.

This year’s festival will be adjudicated by Ben Mark Turner, a highly respected conductor and musical director with an extensive career in the West End and internationally.

A classically trained tenor, Ben has toured across the United States of America, South Africa, Nigeria and Russia.

He read Music at King’s College London (First-Class Honours), where he then studied a Masters in Musicology.

His work spans major theatre productions and international tours, with musical director/conductor credits including productions such as Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He is the Musical Director for Harmonies for Hope (BBC Children in Need) and assisted rehearsals for The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre, London).

Entries for this year’s festival are expected from across the region, with performers ranging from young beginners to experienced musicians.

For many, the festival is not only a competition, but an opportunity to build confidence, develop skills and become part of a longstanding musical community. Entries can be made online via their website HERE before September 27 2026.

At a time when many events focus on scale and spectacle, the Haydn Wood Music Festival continues to demonstrate the value of something different – a locally rooted event built on encouragement, warmth, tradition and a genuine love of music.

It is this character that continues to define the festival and secure its place at the heart of the community year after year.