Beck duck race and Park Day fun in the sun contribute to Silsden's month of grand events

Families basked in the sun at Silsden's annual Park Day on Saturday, July 6th, a headline part of the town's Grand July of events. Dog Show classes are a popular feature of the Park Day's fun activities and entertainments and pictured above are twins Isabella and Francesca McKenzie with their 16-week-old, long-haired chihuahuas Lunar and Mollie, who won the cutest-pup competition.

The park showed yet again what a precious community asset it is. The day had commenced with the annual duck race at Stakes Beck, after which families streamed to the park. The annual Murder Mile road run on Thursday the 4th opened Silsden's Grand July of events, which celebrate the momentous time five years ago when the Tour de France came through Silsden on the route of the Grand Depart in Yorkshire.

The Silsden Stormettes Under 13s rugby league team are pictured with coach Nigel Crouch before their match against Stanningley Girls. Silsden Storm boys Under 13s were also in Park Day action, heavily defeating Garforth Tigers.

Silsden Singers conducted by musical director Janet Russell welcomed families as the park programme commenced. 

The Punch and Judy show by Professor Keith Davies was as popular as ever. 

It's not easy to eat an ice cream while concentrating on Punch and Judy as young Oscar Woods demonstrates. He is pictured with his dad Andrew Woods and sister Mia, who slept through it all.

Frankie Huchinson was deep in thought at the Punch and Judy show.

The 'handsomest dog or bitch' class was won by Labrador Lily Rose, pictured above  with owner Darren Maroney. Second was border collie Sky, pictured on the left with friends Macy Clarke and Halle Dent. Third was labradoodle Bee, pictured on the right with owner Reuben MacLeod.

Three-year-old Teddy Wilkinson tackles the children's cycling course.

Daniel Nicholson, five, took the ramps in his stride.

It was a perfect day for chilling out.

Sisters Edie and Mabel Marriott had fun with a gadget that created super-sized bubbles.  

Sisters Athena and Thea Blondel (on the right) and Chloe and Jacob Graham (on the left) enjoyed clay modelling at a craft table run by Ann and Graham Reay.

Keeping cool in the shade. The day's events also included children's tennis, crown green bowls tuition from members of the Silsden Playing Field Bowling Club, and novelty running races. In the evening, there was a concert titled "Sixty Voices Sing" at Silsden Methodist Church given by the Heath Chorus, an award-winning choir from Staffordshire, supported by the Aire Valley Singers. The Grand July events also include history walks, an open garden in Hunters Meadow, a family art session, and a Belgium-themed evening (this year's Tour de France Grand Depart was in Belgium). The final attraction is the annual gala on the 28th, when the town band will also perform.

The duck race at Stakes Beck brought out the crowds and got the fun day off to a grand start.

Hundreds of ducks were purchased for a fund-raising £1 a piece.