LAST weekend’s Woodfest saw the event return to being a fun and safe event, say organisers.

Spokesman Andrew Wood said the outdoor music festival on a farm above Cross Roads went almost without a hitch.

He said families were able to enjoy two days of music while helping the event raise more than £5,000 for Manorlands.

New security arrangements at the site, off Bingley Road near the Guide Inn, meant there no repeat of last year’s drunken rowdyism.

A dedicated security team patrolled the festival, and fencing around the site meant anyone ejected was unable to get back in.

Mr Wood said: “The security team were really good – as people arrived, they were told left in no uncertain terms what was expected.

“There were a couple of minor incidents, but nothing serious – and no visit from the police. People can now come to Woodfest with their family.

“The music sounded good. There was a really good atmosphere in the events arena. The family camping was fantastic.”

Woodfest, on Highcliffe Farm, has run for several years and features a host of local bands playing to hundreds of people.

Andrew Wood, a Manorlands fundraiser, said proceeds from this year’s Woodfest were likely to be between £5,000 and £6,000.

He said the total amount raised would be less than last year’s bumper proceeds, partly due to the extra costs of employing security.

Mr Wood said some money was saved because volunteers from the Department of Work and Pensions set up the fencing, and a Community Payback team dismantled the stage and fencing on Sunday.

He said the music went well, apart from having to cancel the last band on Friday night, Keighley’s Rock Bottom Risers, because earlier acts had overrun.

He said: “There are a couple of bands before Rock Bottom Risers who took a long time to set up, and another band was late. We apologise to people.

“We couldn’t go over the terms of our licence. We apologised to people, and decided to hold back Rock Bottom Risers for next year.”

Three acts took part in a Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday afternoon, with North Yorkshire-based Your Illuminations winning a main-stage slot on the Saturday night.

One of the runners-up was 15-year-old singer Rizzy from Stalybridge, near Manchester.

Mr Wood said: “The judges really liked her but didn’t feel she would fit in the Saturday night line-up. We’re dead keen to get her back next year in an earlier slot.”