Otley chips in for its most famous son

Thomas Chippendale's home town is staging a month-long celebration in the summer to mark the 300th anniversary of its most famous son.

By The Newsroom

Published 14th Feb 2018, 15:28 BST

Updated 14th Feb 2018, 15:30 BST

The plaque by the statue of Thomas Chippendale, in Otley

The cabinet maker who went on to furnish much of Harewood House and whose work is currently on display at Leeds City Museum, was Christened at Otley Parish Church in June 1718, and the event will be marked on the same spot with a programme of 18th century classical music performed by local artists.

There will also be walking tours of the town and a “birthday party” at his old schoolhouse in the town centre, now the Stew and Oyster pub.

Chippendale left Otley for York and then London while still a teenager, but he worked for a while with his joiner father at nearby Farnley Hall.

A statue of him stands near the market square.