We’re pleased to announce that the Bradford Accordion Band has chosen to perform their annual charity concert in aid of sight Airedale. The theme of this years concert is All Creatures Great and Smallish.
Join Bradford Accordion Band (BAB) on a musical safari of song, dance and laughter, as they unleash a menagerie of marvellous and unexpected performances. Expect paws-itively dazzling routines. from the eclectic Bazzmatazz Dance Troupe, jaw-dropping moments with Denise & Stefan (Britain’s Got Talent 2024 semi-finalists) and a whole chorus of vivacious vocals with the recently formed Bradford Accordion Band Singers (BABeS).
From roaring laughs to pitch-purr-fect harmonies, this is a Grand Charity Show that will have you howling for more; expect the unexpected!
Sponsored by Specsavers, Bingley, The Corn Dolly Pub, Bradford and Clarus Opticians, Keighley. The concert will take place on Saturday, 3 October at the Bingley Art Centre starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £13.50 for the back stalls and £16 for the front stalls. To get your tickets visit https://www.bingleyartscentre.co.uk/events/bradford-accordion-band-all-creatures-great-smallish or call the Bingley Arts Centre box office on 01274 567983.
(Image description - Generated by AI - This promotional poster is advertising All Creatures Great & Smallish at Bingley Arts Centre. The image shows a group of performers dressed in colourful animal costumes standing together in a jungle setting. Costumes include a penguin, panda, bear, bee, butterfly, fox, monkey and several other animals and insects. Some performers hold props, including an accordion, adding to the playful atmosphere. The title, All Creatures Great & Smallish, appears prominently across the lower part of the image in large yellow lettering. Event details below state: Bingley Arts Centre, Saturday 3rd October 2026 at 7.30pm. The overall impression is lively, humorous and family-friendly.)
Welcome to the June edition of seefact. We’re pleased to announce that the Bradford Accordion Band has chosen to hold its annual charity concert in aid of Sight Airedale. The concert will take place on Saturday, 3 October, at the Bingley Arts Centre. For more information, see Bradford Accordion Band Concert
According to the Macular Society, up to 50% of people with Macular Degeneration experience visual hallucinations, a condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). We’ll be hosting a talk by Judith Potts, founder of the CBS charity Esme’s Umbrella, on Thursday 7 August at 1.30pm. To learn more, Visual Hallucinations in People with Sight Loss.
On the 30 July, staff from Bradford Councils Sensory Needs Service will be holding an information day at our Scott Street premises. Morley Street Information Day.
Work on designing the new Airedale Hospital is now underway, and the hospital is preparing to submit an application for outline planning permission. The plans are now available for public consultation. See New Airedale Hospital for details on how you can get involved and make your views heard.
We hope you all have a great summer and hope to see you at our open day on the 11 July at our Scott Street premises in Keighley.
Registered Office: Sight Airedale, 1 Albert Street, Keighley, BD21 2AT.
All these events take place at the Lena Anderton Meeting Room, 31 Scott Street, behind the library, Keighley, BD21 2JH. For further information contact the helpline on 01535 602354, Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
What: - Talk by Judith Potts Founder of the Charles Bonnet Charity. Esme's Umbrella
When: - Thursday 6 August @ 1.30pm, 2pm Start
Where - Lena Anderton Meeting Room, 31 Scott Street, also available via Zoom
How to book - Contact the Helpline
Margaret is 82 and has Macular Degeneration, which affects her central vision. One evening, a fox appeared in her living room. He looked at her, then walked through the wall. It was impossible for a fox to have got into Margaret's second-floor apartment. The fox made no sound, and there was no smell.
Margaret is experiencing Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). It's thought that between 10% and 50% of people with vision loss experience visual hallucinations.
CBS occurs when the brain, no longer receiving the visual signals it once did, generates images to compensate. The hallucinations are always visual; there is never any sound, smell or other sensation. People also retain awareness that what they see is not real. CBS is not a mental illness or a sign of dementia. However, it’s important to rule out other conditions.
CBS can occur in people with significant sight loss, and at any age. The images may be patterns, people, or animals. Some may be pleasant, while others are frightening. The images are always vivid and clear, even though the person's normal vision is not.
Whilst there is no cure for CBS, there are coping strategies that can help, such as moving your eyes from left to right or switching on a light. Talking about CBS is important. If what you are seeing is distressing or interfering with everyday life, your doctor may be able to refer you for counselling.
If you are experiencing symptoms similar to Margaret’s, speak to your ophthalmologist or GP.
We are hoping to start a support group for people with Charles Bonnet Syndrome. If you're interested please come along to the talk by Judith Potts on Thursday 6 August. Or you can join by Zoom. Contact the helpline to book your place.
(Image description - generated by AI - This artist’s impression illustrates the experience of Charles Bonnet Syndrome. The image shows a traditional living room with patterned armchairs, a sofa, bookshelves, family photographs and a fireplace. Daylight enters through a large window, creating a familiar and comfortable domestic setting.
Standing on the rug in the centre of the room is a fox. The fox represents a hallucination and is not actually present. It appears realistic and clearly visible within the scene, demonstrating how Charles Bonnet Syndrome hallucinations can seem vivid, detailed and convincing despite not being real.)
Morley Street Information Day - Keighley Thursday 30 July 2026 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm Lena Anderton Meeting Room – 31 Scott Street Keighley
Staff from Bradford Council’s Sensory Needs service (Morley Street) will be available to answer questions and provide information on what support is available to people living with sight or hearing loss. Morley Street can help with:-
For further information contact Morley Street on 01274 435001, or drop in on the day
This is an opportunity to use your knowledge and expertise to make a difference to the lives of local sight-impaired people and to contribute to the direction of our organisation and help in the board’s decision-making.
We are especially interested in hearing from people with lived experience of sight loss, either as a person with sight loss themselves or as a carer for a relative with sight loss. Or if you have expertise in fundraising or marketing.
As a trustee, you will take part in regular Board meetings, usually held on the second Monday of the Month at 10.30am at our Scott Street premises in Keighley and usually last an hour. However, it is possible to attend via Zoom.
When you become a Trustee, we will ensure that you understand the Trustee role, how the board operates and the responsibilities of Trustees and the Board. For more information please contact our helpline
Work is underway to prepare for submitting outline planning permission for the new hospital. Outline planning permission defines the shape and size of the building, rather than detailed layouts or appearance. Prior to submitting the outline planning application, the hospital wants to get the views and concerns of the local community to ensure it meets patients' needs.
Between 1 June and 24 July the hospital will be running a series of public consultation events, including:-
There will also be an opportunity for you to get information at and help to fill in the survey at our open day on Saturday, the 11 July.
The hospital is keen to hear the views of Visually Impaired people, and we hope to run a future event where you can learn more and share your opinions. The new hospital will be using a national template called Hospital 2.0. This standardises hospital construction, department layout and positioning of departments. One of the major changes from the existing hospital will be that all inpatient accommodation will be single en-suite rooms.
To learn more about thew new hospital visit the securing the future website. www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk/about-us/ securing-the-future-of-airedale/
(Image description - generated by AI - This artist’s impression is presented as a sketch-style illustration of the proposed new Airedale Hospital as seen from Skipton Road. The hospital is shown as a large, modern healthcare building set behind mature landscaping. Although the building rises to ten storeys in total, only the upper six storeys are visible from this viewpoint due to changes in ground level and surrounding development. The hospital stretches across the scene, with a light-coloured façade featuring a distinctive geometric pattern that adds texture and helps break up its scale. A more open central section provides a visual focal point and suggests a key public entrance.)
What: - A group for people living with sight loss to gain support and friendship
When: - First and third Thursday of the month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Where: - The Lena Anderton Meeting Room, 31 Scott Street, Keighley
How to attend: - Contact the Helpline
When you first find out you have a sight condition, you can feel very isolated. You may not know anyone else in the same situation. No matter how supportive your friends and family are, sometimes the only people who understand are those living with the same or similar conditions. Many people find meeting others living with sight loss and sharing experiences very helpful. Just having someone say “Yeah, I get that too” or “I know what you mean” can make life that bit easier.
Our Keighley Sight Support Group offers an opportunity to meet other people living with sight loss, share experiences, or simply have a chat over a cup of tea.
Over the past six months members have enjoyed:-
Anyone living with sight loss is welcome to attend. To find out more, contact our helpline on 01535 602354. Keighley Sight Support Group
Like many charities we have seen a fall in income due to the pandemic.
To make a one-off or regular donation visit our website at www.sightairedale.org.uk or call our helpline to learn how to set up a standing order.
For details on future performances at the playhouse visit www.keighleyplayhouse.co.uk.
If you would like more information on any of these groups, please call our helpline.