First youth festival to launch in market town

A Shropshire market town will host its first youth festival this summer, after hearing from young people in the area. Ludlow Town Council said the event would be held at Wheeler Road Recreation Area on 30 July from 11:00 to 16:00 BST. It will feature gaming experiences, dance displays, craft sessions, live music, food and visits from agencies like police and the fire service. The youth festival is free, the town council added, and it is hoped it will become an annual fixture in the town's calendar of events. The local authority said plans for the event followed consultations with young people, families, schools and community groups earlier in 2026. It said feedback showed that young people wanted more active outdoor opportunities, creative spaces, more music and performance, and chances to connect with local services. The event is supported by Future Sound, the company also behind the Live at Ludlow Castle concert series. The Mayor of Ludlow, Diane Lyle, previously said: "This festival is about celebrating our young people and giving them a platform to shape something joyful, meaningful, and uniquely Ludlow.".