00:00Otley is getting ready to celebrate 800 years of history,
00:04and a major funding boost means the celebrations can be even bigger.
00:09Otley Town Council has secured £185,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund
00:15to support the landmark Otley 800 celebrations in 2027 and 2028.
00:21Matched by a similar investment from the council,
00:24the funding will help celebrate two key moments in the town's history,
00:28the granting of its Royal Market Charter in 1227,
00:31and the construction of a bridge over the River Wharf in 1228.
00:35Together, these milestones helped establish Otley as a major centre for medieval trade.
00:40The celebrations will bring the community together through five major projects.
00:44A four-day charter weekend will kick things off in May next year,
00:48alongside plans for a community-created tapestry,
00:51a pop-up museum showcasing a collection not publicly displayed for around 16 years,
00:56and grants to help local groups develop their own heritage projects.
01:00The aim is to involve thousands of residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds,
01:05giving everyone the chance to celebrate Otley's heritage and take pride in the town's story.
01:10The People's Tapestry will tell 800 years of Otley history,
01:13creating a lasting legacy of the celebrations for future generations.
01:17The celebrations will culminate in June 2028 with a bridge weekend,
01:22including a Riverside pageant.
01:24The first round of grant applications is expected to open in the coming weeks.
