Harvest moon on high before a lunar eclipse

Above: A full moon high above Silsden the evening before a lunar eclipse, which took place in the early hours of September 28. The 'supermoon' was at perigree -- its closest point to the earth in 2015. The harvest moon had followed the autumn equinox, on September 23.

Above: still a full moon over Silsden on the evening of September 28.

New seat in memory of former fireman

Above: A walker makes use of a handsome new seat in Swartha Lane.

Above: there are fine views to Nab End behind the seat, which has been placed in memory of former
Silsden fireman Norman Ives, who died in October 2014 aged 80. He had been a frequent walker in local lanes.

Right: the seat is inscribed with an invitation to "take a pew and enjoy his favourite view".

Below: this stretch of Swartha Lane affords a panoramic view of Silsden and through the Aire Valley towards Lancashire.

 

Above: Norman Ives is on the left of this photograph of the Silsden Fire Brigade, taken by the late Will Baldwin in the late 1950s or 1960-61. The Station Officer at the time was long-serving Jack Paley, who is pictured fourth from the right. Next to him (third from right) is his son David, who became Station Officer in 1980, following on from Tom Shuttleworth (far right), who succeeded Jack Paley in 1961. 

Brewing to return to Red Lion after 200 years

Above: Mr Luke Reid (right), the new licensee of the Red Lion in Silsden, is pictured with his mother and father, Julie and Paul Reid, and brother William. Luke is planning to transfer the family’s microbrewery to the historic pub next year – 200 years or so since ale was last brewed on the premises. In the 1700s the Red Lion  was a coaching inn. The old cobbled yard and stables (pictured below), although dilapidated, have been preserved. The courtyard has been given a floral facelift and at the rear a long disused beer garden is being renovated. William is carrying out the work. 

Longer term, Luke hopes to make a feature of the old stables, as well as improving the upstairs rooms and restoring the Red Lion as a community focal point, for which it was originally famed in the 19th century. The pub will concentrate on cask ales, mainly supplied in due course by the on-site brewery. The property is owned by the licensee’s father, Mr Paul Reid, a Halifax-based businessman. 

Second-hand bus shelter for sale?

Above: for what is believed to be the first time in more than 60 years, buses no longer stop in Dradishaw Road. New arrangements, which came into force on August 30, have been greeted with dismay by passengers, many of them elderly, living in Gloucester Avenue and Kent Avenue. The nearest stops for Transdev buses are in Skipton Road and Woodside Road. The company says the two Dradishaw Road stops are lightly-used. Gloucester Road will still be served by the 903 bus operated by Jacksons.

Above: The 'simplified' 762 Transdev route from Ilkley to Keighley will stop in Elliott Street near the junction with Keighley Road. Buses will then turn right into Keighley Road. Most motorists view the junction as a nightmare.

Above: Schools buses in Kirkgate. The new Elliott Street bus stop has been introduced because Keighley-bound 762 buses will no longer use Kirkgate, which has become a blackspot because of parked cars. The Jacksons service will still serve Kirkgate.  

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.