KEIGHLEY Festival organisers are determined to celebrate this year’s event goes with a bang.

They promise a week of big events despite having less money to spend than in most previous years.

For many years the festival received around £15,000 from Bradford Council but this figure has steadily reduced due to public spending cuts.

Malcolm Hanson, a leading light of the festival, said the “delicate matter of finances” had previously held back the team from revealing details of this year’s festival.

But he could now confirm that Bradford Council had promised £2,500 and Keighley Town Council, through its Events and Leisure committee, had agreed to match fund the figure.

He said that thanks to the two grants the festival organisers would pull out all the stops to celebrate many years of promoting the town’s talent.

He added: “It’s great news. We had been waiting so long for the go-ahead, but now the festival is taking shape.

“All the ‘biggies’ are in there; East Riddlesden Hall’s Big Day Out, Victoria Hall’s One Amazing Night, and the Airedale Centre’s daily lunchtime fun events.

“Their are brand new events at the planning stage, including a 1940s Day on Church Green, a spooky Paranormal Convention, and a full Children’s Film Festival.”

Mr Hanson said that over the next few weeks the festival committee would contact as many past contributors as possible to see if they would like to organise something for the anniversary.

In addition, all clubs, societies and schools in Keighley will be invited to get involved.

Mr Hanson said: “We have had a hard time in the last few years; the ‘cuts’ bit hard, plunging in just three years from £16,000 to £5,000.

“The team has now been revitalised by new members, and talent has won out. We can now look forward to a great festival.”

Keighley Festival began in 1987 after public meetings in the town attracted several organisations wishing to take part.

The event launched with the long-established Keighley Gala in August and was followed by week of attractions including a ceilidh, folk concert, fashion show, slideshows and a flying model flying display.

With a long-running motto of “for Keighley people, by Keighley people” the festival for many years focused on getting local groups to organise special events.

This year’s Keighley Festival will take place from July 6 to 11. Anyone wishing to take part can contact Malcolm by e-mailing malcolm.b.hanson@gmail.com or calling (01756) 798730.