Allotment Association's growing success

Above: Entrants in Silsden Allotment Association’s annual show, which was held on August 23. Chairman John Cobb was first in five of the 12 produce classes and his wife Sonia won three firsts in the domestic section. Nick Liddle’s cheese scones were judged overall best in show.

Above: left to right are prizewinners in the children’s classes, Amy Gibson, Ollie Emmott and Eleisha Emmott. In the background is chairman John Cobb.

Valiant attempt to attract a bull's eye?

Above: after calving, a cow cosies up to a dreamy-eyed bull in a field above Silsden. The sheep heeds the message: ewe mind your own business.

Gala parades of yesteryear

I am indebted to the family of the late Will Baldwin for giving me access to his splendid collection of photographs, which he took from the 1950s onwards. Will was among a relatively small number of local photographers, mostly members of Silsden Camera Club, whose hobby has produced an important historical record of local life since the 1950s. An equal debt of gratitude is due to the families of those photographers and to the Camera Club for ensuring the safekeeping of valuable collections. The following photographs are a selection of Will Baldwin's Silsden Gala pictures of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Above: the 1955 gala queen was Anne Barker. The cushion-bearer was Geoffrey Roberts.

Above: Sylvia Beckwith was the queen in 1956. Her attendants were I. Parkinson and E. Chad. The cushion-bearer was Roy Kitchen.

Above: 1961. Queen Jennifer Best is attended by Maureen Ruffe (left) and Christine Watson. The cushion-bearer is Timothy Green.

Above: Victoria Wrigglesworth in the 1970s.

Above: Don Aaron (foreground) was a well-known member of the Camera Club who worked for Scott's, chemists and photographers.

Above: the Rev Timothy Gunton was Vicar of St James' Church in the 1970s. 

Silsden Gala Queen's reign in the rain

Above: Silsden Gala Queen Hayley Jordan (centre) is pictured with her two rosebuds, Hayley's sister Faith (right) and Maisie McGlinchey. They had pride of place at the gala on Sunday, July 26. After a dry few days, the rain started just as the procession moved along Kirkgate on its way to the attractions at the park. 

Above: Hawaii came to Cobbydale courtesy of the Punch Bowl pub's funtime float.  

Above: Bob the Builder arrives with his helpers from Cobbydale Construction, plus a cute canine, which is the company's mascot.

Above: make-up nearly complete for the authentic-looking clown from building trades merchant JACS, of Snaygill.  

Above: day nurseries made inventive contributions to the procession. Children from Handprints adopted a wildlife theme.

Above: A colourful couple from Handprints. 

Above: Dradishaw House nursery.

Above: Bridge House nursery (Steeton). 

Above: Sutton's gala queen and her attendant.

Above: the Eclipse Jazz Band led the procession.

Above: Mrs Mops were out in force on behalf of local cleaning services.

Above and below: Silsden Churches Together paraded a "Creation" theme. 

Above: the Rev David Griffiths, Vicar of St James' Church, may or may not have been heading for Malham Cove. 

Above: the Pied Piper playgroup, which meets at St James' Church.

Above and below: Silsden Majorettes. 

 Above and below: young rugby players. 

Above: Silsden Royal British Legion came down to earth with a Flying Club mock-up. It was just a pilot project.

Above: Silsden zumba group. 

Above: an intense moment on the Scout float.

Above: junior soccer players on parade.

Above: stirring music from the Accrington Pipe Band.

Above: high fives with DJ EDD (Embarrassing Dad Dancing).

Above: high summer in Cobbydale. Thankfully, we have a dry sense of humour.