Craft fair a popular feature of Community Showcase

Above: artist and designer Val Hughes took part in craft fair at Silsden Town Hall on July 11. Val is pictured with her newly-published first book. The fair, organised by the Been Busy shop in Kirkgate, was a popular part of the Community Showcase presented by Silsden's Grand deParty organisation, which aims to maintain the amazing community spirit seen when the Tour de France came through Silsden last year. More than 23 local groups promoted their activities at the town's three churches. Refreshments were available at all four Showcase venues.

Above: former Kirkgate hairdresser Ann Roberts now hand makes cards for all occasions and decorates woodworked items. Her range is under the name 'annmade' and Ann is one of the craftspeople whose work is displayed at Been Busy. The shop, opened in November by Angela Malcolm, is a Community Interest Business and Ann is one of the directors.

Above: Rosie Shaw makes a beaded necklace watched by mum Heather and grandma Brenda Lister at the Mrs Bead stall.

Above: Mrs Bead is Rachel Brennan, who runs beadcraft parties and workshops for children. Her work can be seen at Been Busy.

Above: Giles Darby and Fiona Lanigan show two examples of Giles' pen and ink drawings. He set up his Tilly Pepper Art business after 15 years in property rentals and sells his distinctive hand-drawn cards, T-shirts and mounted pictures at outlets in Harrogate, Haworth and Leeds. He is due to join the Been Busy craft centre soon.

Above: Keighley mums Clair Hussey (left) and Abigail Newman were attending their third craft fair. Clair's Salt of the Earth enterprise offers hand-made bath salts, face and body scrubs and balms. All the ingredients are natural. Abigail makes personalised hand-made items for all occasions under the name 'Handmade with love by Abi'. 

Above: sisters Yvonne Campbell (left) and Pauline Jackson make a variety of goods to help fund overseas aid work by Maggie Tookey, of Edinburgh Direct Aid. Pauline and Maggie, who was made an MBE for her work in war zones, were colleagues at Aireville School in Skipton. 

Above: Ros Driver, of Silsden, did brisk trade with her home-made chocolate cakes. Ros specialises in making Christmas cakes and last year, under the name Pink Poppy, produced 282 of them for family, friends and organisations.

Above: legal secretary Jackie Nettleton took up craft work, making cushion covers and other items, after being made redundant. Jackie's Craft Boutique offers 'all things crafty.'  

Above; former Steeton School head teacher Chris Newson specialises in Chinese brush painting and produces pictures and cards as well as other art works. She has illustrated a book of poems by Isobel Thrilling, who, like Chris, lives in Embsay. 

Above: a young brother and sister were fascinated by a 'create your own badge' opportunity provided by Victoria Sykes, whose main craft interest is tweed handbags, which are displayed at Been Busy.  

Above: Lynn Lee makes hand-crafted and fashion jewellery, under the name Little Gems.  

Above: painter and decorator Colin Wright also turns his hand to painting furniture, fire surrounds and glass splashbacks under the name Wright Effects. 

Above: Joyce and Stanley Wesley enjoyed the colourful selection of art work by children from Hothfield Junior School.