Books on the Lane is a trading arm of The Yorkshire Live Music Project CIC. This means that any profit we make is given via a donation, to a different youth music or performing arts organisation in Wakefield and Yorkshire every year.
Applications are now open for our 2026 donation. The deadline for applications is midnight June 30. All we require is one side of A4, via email, explaining how our donation will be used. For more information and details please email .
The following are youth music groups we have supported so far:
York Jazz Initiative
Crofton Silver Band, The Bandits
Wakefield Youth Jazz Orchestra
Barnsley Youth Choir
Castleford Young Musicians
Wakefield Youth Orchestra
HD9 Holmfirth Community Music
Along the way, we hope to provide a much-loved community service with our book shop and seasonal garden plants and a cosy and informal book browsing experience.
How can you support us?
It’s easy. Buy your books from us – from our shop, or online.
Our story – so far:
2009 to 2013
The Yorkshire Live Music Project was established at a meeting at The Art House Wakefield in 2009. Our launch event was held at The Orangery Wakefield. This was followed by a series of annual live classical and jazz music events with our ‘Gigs for Kids’ scheme, at a wide mix of venues reaching audiences of over 10,000 people. We funded and organised live music events with the following musicians and at the following venues:
Venues; Wakefield Cathedral, Kirkhamgate Village Hall, Halifax Square Chapel, Nostell Priory Wakefield, The Orangery Wakefield, St Paul’s Walton, The Hepworth Wakefield, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Mocca Moocho Cafe Wakefield, Woolley Hall, Wakefield, Barnsley Music Centre, The White Cloth Gallery Leeds. St Mary’s Lead, Towton, Tadcaster, The Bronte Parsonage Haworth, Anglers Country Park Wakefield, Chantry Chapel Wakefield, The Hop Wakefield.
Musicians: The Endellion String Quartet, Cellist Sue Lowe (cello masterclass for Wakefield Music Services and Barnsley Music Services), Simon Rowland Jones (viola) Andrew Ball (piano) with viola masterclass for Yorkshire Young Musicians, Miriam Roycroft (cello) Reamon Keary (piano), The Ligeti Quartet, Roller Trio, jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock, jazz pianist Declan Forde, Ryan Madhok (cellist) Tim Lowe (cellist) Alasdair Beatson (pianist) Sam Leak (jazz pianist) Richard Uttley (pianist) Juice vocal ensemble, Slow Light Jazz, Mark & John Jazz Duo, Alligator Gumbo, Gypsy Jazz Duo, Elysian Quartet.
In 2011 we organised, funded and managed The Walton Arts Festival, 13 events across seven days which included performances from professional classical and jazz musicians, community and school choirs. Venues included Walton Social Club, Walton Methodist Church, Walton Village Hall, The New Inn Walton, St Paul’s Church Walton.
We were grateful for financial assistance in the funding of all these events from private donations, Arts Council England, Wakefield MDC, The John Ireland Trust, Leed Philosophical and Literary Society, and business sponsorship from The Cromwell Wood Estate Co Ltd.
We were able to provide first working experience opportunities for your people aged between 16 and 19 who formed our youth team and worked to manage our events and provide front of house.
2013 to 2016
A summertime pop up café, plant stall and vintage shop at our premises here in Walton, raising direct funds for youth music.
2016 – 2019
A dedicated herb nursery raising direct funds for youth music.
2019 – Present
Our bookshop Books on the Lane and our seasonal herb plants Walton Herbs.