A dry day at last: it's enough to bowl you over

After dreary December and seemingly weeks of woefully wet weather, with unseasonably mild temperatures, the first weekend of January brought sunshine and cooler conditions more like we'd expect at this time of year. A cue for winter walks in Silsden's precious countryside and lanes. Also, as shown above, an unlikely opportunity to bend the knee and flex the muscles several months in advance of the new bowling season. Pictured left to right are Richard Gornall, Michael O'Neill and Brian Moorhouse, whose combined ages total 239 years. They are all senior members of Silsden Playing Fields Bowling Club, whose crown green and HQ are in Silsden park. The club welcomes new members of all ages for the new season, which starts in April.   

Fun run gives the New Year a traditional start

Silsden's 40th New Year's Day fun run brought out local families determined to defy the dismal weather that has prevailed over the holiday period. The event, raising money for charity, was instigated by Paul Buckley in 1983. Still competing, veteran Silsden runner Paul is pictured above on the right in the light-yellow training top. At the back on the left, in the red top holding his son Lennie, is Stephen Throup, whose late father, Dave Throup, set the course record of 15 mins 25 secs in the early 1990s. Stephen takes part  each year, this time with daughter Gracie, aged 8, and, making his debut, five-year-old Lennie.

The three-mile course has a stiff uphill start from The Green in Bradley Road and then goes along Hole Lane to the Heights before coming downhill into Horne Lane and finally Bradley Road. Holly Fitch (Wharfedale Harriers), of Silsden, on the right, led the women home with No.29 Annie Chambers (Keighley and Craven Athletic Club) second.

The men's race was won by Nathan Hird (right), of the well-known Silsden running  family, with Jake Norris (left) second.

The race, organised by Wharfedale Harriers, started in a chilly shower but otherwise there were some pleasant sunny intervals. The race has been held annually since 1983 with the exception of 2021, when it was cancelled because of the Covid restrictions.

Silsden families were to the fore. Pictured above are the Raven family: dad James, mum Emma and their daughters Amelia, 10, and Annabel, 8.