Foul forecast forces gardeners' show indoors

Above: Town Mayor Councillor Peter Robinson is pictured with prizewinners of Silsden Allotment Association, whose annual show on August 20th was forced indoors when a week of fine weather came to an abrupt end. The neighbouring Silsden Youth and Community Centre in Elliott Street came to the rescue as a venue when on the eve of the show the gardeners decided the event could not go ahead outdoors as planned.

Above: the Best in Show award went to new member Linda Waterhouse for this harvest basket of vegetables.

Above: Finlay Smith also received a special award for this outstanding miniature garden in the children's classes. The show judges were Sue Bird (horticultural classes) and Lisa Preston (domestic section).

Lack of sunshine means butterflies feel the heat

Above: a comma butterfly, seldom seen locally despite its spread northwards in recent years. This one was photographed on thistles near the canal on August 9th. Anecdotal evidence suggests that locally this is another poor year for butterflies: too much rain and not enough sunshine. 

Above: a red admiral suns itself on buddleia, near the canal on August 9th. Nationally most butterfly species have been hit hard in the last few decades by climate change and modern farming practices. 

Above: a meadow brown feeds on honeysuckle in a glade in a local wood in July.

Glorious Gala sets seal on a month of events showcasing Silsden's community verve and vitality

For the first time since the event started more than 100 years ago Silsden Gala chose a queen and a king. Queen Megan Reece (centre) is pictured above with King Adam Smith and attendant Aliyah Smith. They took pride of place in the gala procession on Sunday July 31st.

Fine weather brought out the crowds to watch a much extended procession with many families and their fancy-dressed children adding to the gaiety. The route took the cavalcade from Howden Road into Kirkgate, Briggate, Bell Square, Bolton Road and then to the park where a host of events had been organised by the gala committee.

The gala brought to a close a month of events under the banner of Silsden's Grand de Party, coinciding with the start of the Tour de France and designed to build on the community uplift and joy that the town experienced as part of the famous Tour's Grand Depart from Yorkshire in 2014.

 Sutton was among the visiting gala queens.

Silsden's retiring gala queen, Hayley Jordan (centre), is pictured with her attendants, her sister Faith (right) and Maisie McGlinchey.

Local author and lecturer David Driver led the parade with loud exhortations and exultations.

 Rosebuds from Skipton.

Silsden Majorettes, the All Stars.

 Cheers as the Red Lion float passes the King's Arms.