MUSIC this month helped entertain visitors at two venues during National Heritage Days.

More than 700 people visited Keighley Library for a host of activities hosted by staff and volunteers local history groups.

And a more modest audience greeted acoustic musicians performing in the atmospheric surroundings of the Museum of Rail Travel at Ingrow.

The library’s flagship event focused on Keighley’s musical heritage with performers ranging from 1950s rock ‘n’ rollers The Presidents to teenage singing prodigy Niamh Mirfield.

Bringing together the decades was local music historian Gary Cavanagh who played recordings and spoke about many well-known Keighley bands of yesteryear.

Caroline Brown, the Bradford Libraries Development Officer for local studies, said the day was a success, with activities for all ages.

She said: “Stands from Keighley and District Local History Society and Family History Society, Men of Worth, Keighley Schools’ Heritage and Airedale Writers Circle proved as popular as ever and Gannett new interest.

“Keighley library staff organised an American style diner with costumes by Anne Watkins. Little Notes proved especially popular at Rhymetime with parents and children alike.

“Gary Cavanagh’s talk about Keighley’s musical heritage in the 1960s and 1970s went down a treat with some original band members in the audience speaking up. Everyone enjoyed the CDs he played of original recordings of Keighley bands and singers.

“The Presidents had a fantastic reception and were very popular indeed with many of the audience being fans, and being thrilled at them reuniting for our day.

“It was a unique happening which they all very much appreciated. They were simply brilliant, Linda Russell’s voice still superb and Bruce’s harmonica solos left us thinking ‘eat your heart out the Rolling Stones’!

“For younger members of the audience Foxes Faux, Day ner Sin and Niamh Mirfield proved performing in a library was a winner.

“For Day ner sin it was their first performance as a band, and Foxes Faux sold some albums on the back of their performance.

“Niamh Mirfield, aged 14, was the last act and wowed the audience with her composure and outstanding talent. She was a lovely performer with a voice that could range from Cindy Lauper to Adele and Beyonce covers.

“She also sang her latest recording made with members of the Joolz Holland R & B Orchestra. A star in the making.”

Caroline said the display of music history continue to be popular, and will be in the Local Studies Library for about another two weeks.

Meanwhile the Vintage Carriages Trust also musical evening at its Museum in Ingrow Station.

Organiser Jim Pickles said: “It was a bit of a quiet evening, we don't know whether it was the weather or whether it was that there were so many other things going on.”