Poet Laureate follows in Auden’s path through Ilkley, as opening act at venerable literature festival

Simon ArmitageSimon Armitage
Simon Armitage
It is a town perhaps still more famous in song than in verse, yet in the course of half a century, Ilkley has played home to almost everyone whose name has graced the shelf of a book store.

“It’s quite incredible the number of luminaries who have passed through this little Yorkshire town,” said Erica Morris as she unveiled the programme for its literature festival – its 40th and her first.