RYEDALE arts venue The Shed is 20 years old in June and there are plenty of special events lined up to celebrate this landmark year.

The Shed began life as a small seed of an idea thought up by Simon Thackray in 1992 and has since grown into a nationally-acclaimed arts venue, with its roots firmly embedded in Ryedale soil.

Part of the cultural fabric of North Yorkshire, The Shed is credited, by leading arts figures and critics alike, with having “created some of the smallest and most inspired art events in the country” (Guardian) and has enjoyed countless features in national press, TV and radio.

Artists to have appeared at The Shed include leading figures from the performing arts world, including British Comedy Award winner Stewart Lee and Barnsley poet Ian McMillan, a long time collaborator with Simon Thackray on The Shed events – from the famous Yorkshire Pudding Boat Race to the North Yorkshire Elvis Bus Tour and HAT – the award-winning performance of words, music and knitting.

“The Shed not only has a national reputation for creating ground-breaking art events but also makes a significant contribution to the local economy, providing much-needed part-time employment and attracting cultural tourists to Ryedale from across the UK,” said Simon.

Speaking in The Man Behind The Door, a recent documentary film made about Simon and The Shed, Ian McMillan said: “Lots of people have ideas but Simon actually follows them through.

“This is community art, the community coming together to celebrate things as daft as a Yorkshire pudding.

To me the arts is not, and never has been, the icing on the cake, it’s the total cake. We are creative beings and if we can be encouraged through public money to become more creative beings then that’ll be a better thing and we’ll have a better world.”

The Shed’s 20th anniversary season includes a performance by Helen Watson and Snake Davis on February 11. Information and tickets for all events are available at www.theshed.co.uk