Returning to the Clarke Foley Community Hub in Ilkley on Saturday October 11th is an unusual exhibition designed to appeal to all those with an interest in the pre-digital age.
Billed as “An interactive celebration of the marvellous machines that changed the world” it will be a display of over 80 typewriters from the 1910’s to the 1980’s.
The organiser Lesley Ayres said:
“This is the fourth year running for this pop-up typewriter museum and this year we have even more unusual models on display and a wider range of typewriters for people to use for themselves.”
This free event from 10am to 4pm will feature every kind of typewriter imaginable - large, small, office to ultraportable, black to every colour of the rainbow.
There will be a large number of working machines for everyone to try out - type some poetry, prose, a letter or even a shopping list
Various typewriters can also be seen in The Grove Bookshop window display and there is a chance to win a typewriter currently in that display at by following the clues on the Typewriter Trail.
As well as the machines there will be hand-typed art for sale by Olly May. He produces eye catching pieces of art using lyrics and quotes from iconic figures.
Zoe Platt of Short & Few is hosting a workshop to create books with your typed creations.
David Trapps who is an experienced professional typewriter technician will be there to impart his knowledge and technical skills.
New for this year - join acclaimed poet, Ralph Dartford as he writes a short poem about you (or anyone you fancy) on a vintage Silver Reed typewriter. The finished poems may rhyme but they might not. It’ll be fun, frivolous, happy or sad!
Ralph is the writer of 3 highly regarded collections. His latest, ‘House Anthems’ has been nominated for the Forward Prize for Best Collection 2025.
Lesley added:
“We have had lots of lovely feedback in previous years from older people who remember using these machines in their jobs and also from younger people who have never seen a typewriter before and are fascinated by how they work.”
Lesley was actually encouraged to organise the event by none other than Tom Hanks who will be making an appearance - as large as life! Lesley typed a letter to him in lockdown and was delighted to receive a reply saying ‘set up your machines for that Type-In and watch everyone break out into smiles’
Totally Typewriters 2025 is between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 11th October at the Clarke Foley Community Hub and entry is free.
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