I WAS fortunate enough to be invited, as a guest of 2016 president, Chris Herd, to Keighley Show’s 60th anniversary dinner last Saturday – and what a great evening was had by all.

It included a whistle-stop tour of the history of the event – the highs and the lows – the normal fundraising raffles and a great buffet meal, followed by the usual ‘dancing’.

I have attended the show, on one of the trade stands, for the past few years and I am impressed by the sheer effort the show committee puts into the running of the event.

As the showpiece event of the district, it would be great if even more local businesses and organisations were able to support the show by taking a stand to help promote the great diversity of activities in the district to the public, so we can all ‘talk up’ the wide range of talents and skills we possess.

I was disappointed this year’s event clashed with the ‘protest march’, which stole the prime coverage in the local press and would ask the editor to always give positive news about the district preference. In our uncertain future we need to take every opportunity to promote ourselves and marginalise those that would do us down.

On a more positive note, could I wish the show ‘happy anniversary’ and may it have many more successful decades. Let’s all get out there and support it.

COUNCILLOR RUSSELL BROWN Worth Valley Ward

* Editor’s note: In addition to considerable coverage in the weeks leading up to the show, we also carried a five-page post-event photos special – a page more than in 2016, with plugs off the front page and extensive online features. So, if anything, our coverage increased this year, and we will continue to offer the committee our full support in years to come.