Totally Typewriters is back!

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 07:44

Totally Typewriters window display at The Grove Bookshop

Coming back to the Clarke Foley Community Hub in Ilkley on Saturday October 19th 2024 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 1920’s to the 1980’s.

The organiser Lesley Ayres said:

“This is the third year running for this event and this year we have even more unusual models on display and a wider range of typewriters for people to try out 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. You are encouraged to bring your own typewriter to join the type-in.

Various typewriters can also be seen in The Grove Bookshop window display.

There’s also a chance to win a typewriter currently on display at the Alpkit store near the station, 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.

Lesley said:

“There is a large typewriter community out there on the internet and I know there will be quite a few people travelling a fair distance to join us on the day who will be bringing their own machines to show, together with some to sell or swap."

They were actually encouraged to put it on by none other than Tom Hanks who will be making an appearance - as large as life (a life-size cardboard stand)! 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."