Residents' photos feature in calendar celebrating Shipley

The calendar features 12 great photos captured during the year-long InstaMeet gatherings organised by Shipley Town Council and 15 Minute Shipley.

The InstaMeets, which began in December last year, aimed to inspire residents and visitors to see Shipley through fresh perspectives and to appreciate the people and places that make the town unique. 

February's image (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds) Each photo in the calendar represents a different season, showcasing the changing beauty of Shipley across the year.

Catherine Simes, founder of 15 Minute Shipley, said: "The idea for the Shipley InstaMeets was inspired by similar events in Bradford and Leeds, which showed how powerful photography can be in connecting people to their surroundings. 

"We wanted to replicate that sense of community and creativity here in Shipley. 

March's picture (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds) "I'm delighted by how popular the meet-ups have been - and the calendar is a wonderful way to celebrate our first year of gathering and exploring together."

The quarterly InstaMeets followed seasonal themes - #ShipleyInWinter, #ShipleyInSpring, #ShipleyInSummer and #ShipleyInAutumn - offering participants the opportunity to explore diverse locations such as the town centre, local markets, the canal, Saltaire Brewery, Northcliffe Park, Crowgill Park, and the Town Hall. 

Photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, joined in, capturing and sharing their images under the agreed hashtags.

December's photo (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds) The calendar includes pictures of Shipley's iconic clocktower, the town's sheep sculpture, and historic buildings in the area. 

Councillor Mike Farren, chair of Shipley Town Council's Community Engagement Committee, added: "Selecting the final images was incredibly difficult because of the sheer variety and quality of photos that beautifully showcase Shipley in all its glory. 

"The InstaMeets have been a wonderful way for people to connect, form friendships and discover the many delights of our local area."

The four flick through the pages of the calendar celebrating Shipley (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds) The Shipley calendar is available for purchase at the newly-refurbished Kirkgate Community Centre and The Little Stationary Shop for £10. 

Proceeds will support community initiatives, including a planned exhibition of the InstaMeet photography in the new year.

An InstaMeet is a way for people in the Instagram community to meet one another and take photos around their city together.

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking site which was founded in 2010.

Owned by Meta Platforms, it boasts around two billion monthly active users worldwide.