Otley unveils its annual festive film

Taking dozens of volunteers, 23 ukulele players, eight ballroom dancers, nine pub-goers, eight Morris Men (and women), two coffee shops and customers, six cub scouts (and two leaders), five walkers, six butchers, one baker, one florist, a garden centre, numerous pies (mince and pork), a bunch of snowmen, loads of sparkly lights, a town crier, two Santas and a cast of amateur extras and you have assembled the cast of this year’s Visit Otley Christmas Film, 'Ain’t We Got Fun in Otley'.

The film’s camera takes viewers on a journey through Otley’s community festive spirit with visits along the way to community groups with members aged between nine and 90 in the form of 2nd Otley Cub Scouts, Otley Action for Older People, businesses such as the town’s three award-winning butchers and chocolatier Patisserie Viennoise, a variety of pubs and cafés and festive events including the annual Otley Victorian Fayre and Otley Christmas Tree Festival.

The film is backed by a version of the 1921 foxtrot Ain’t We Got Fun re-worked and performed by community band the Otley Ukulele Orchestra and is now available to view as Otley prepares for its Christmas lights switch on tonight (Monday) from 5.30pm.

Chair of Otley Town Council’s Trade & Tourism committee, Paul Carter, said: “For a small market town, Otley’s fun Christmas community spirit is second to none. In an era where the nation has perhaps never been more divided, we wanted to emphasise all the things that unite us at this special time of year. We hope it encourages as many people as possible to come and sample that spirit for themselves, whether at one of our fabulous Christmas events or shopping at our many independent stores.”

Chair of Otley BID Thomas Hatley added: “Community spirit is what unites us, from the town’s many selfless volunteers to our incredible independent businesses – which is why we are proud to have once more contributed to Otley’s festive video. We feel it highlights just how unique a town this is, and we hope to see many more people visiting us to have fun in Otley.”

Otley Town Council and Otley Bid provided the financial backing for the film which is now available to view on YouTube.

'Ain’t We Got Fun in Otley' follows 2017’s Oak & The Ash that mimicked the look and feel of large corporate Christmas adverts and 2018’s rousing Twelve Days of Otley Christmas.