THE FIRST Children’s Festival has been held in the ‘Keighley Valley’ area of town using lottery cash.

This month’s event in Parkwood was one of the first to receive funding from a small-grants pot as part of the £1 million BIG Local regeneration project.

Almost 150 people took part in activities such as a bouncy castle, face-painting, music, coconut shy and games, on the Parkwood Street recreation ground.

BIG Local is bringing £1 million to the Keighley Valley, which stretches from Stockbridge to Ingrow, during a ten-year period.

BIG Local co-ordinator, Shaun O’Hare, said it is vital local residents were involved in devising long-lasting improvement schemes that could benefit from the fund.

He held meetings earlier this year in various neighbourhoods allowing residents of all ages to choose how to spend money from a small-grants pot, intended to kick-start bigger schemes.

One meeting was at the Tuesday Club at the Parkwood Youth Centre.

Mr O’Hare said: “The majority of young people and children thought living in Parkwood is great, but it could be made even better.

"More than 40 voted for a Children's Festival, which they hoped would give people something to look forward to in the summer holidays, make them smile and provide an opportunity to meet new friends.”

BIG Local volunteers were joined by organisations such as Jam on Top, Street Club Play rangers and the Youth Service to run the event.

Mr O’Hare added: “Genuine grassroots events such as this are important in developing awareness and an essential piece of the jigsaw for the long-term future of a project like BIG Local.

“The Children’s Festival has helped gain momentum through the positive use of open space and offering an opportunity for fun and friendship – to be a community.”

Mr O’Hare said the festival had also helped attract new volunteers for the wider BIG Local project.

He added: “Three local ladies volunteered to be part of the partnership to help ensure the £1 million is spent on the things that really matter to the residents.

“The Keighley Valley Partnership reflects the community it represents, supporting established events, and groups also reflect people from ‘emerging communities’.

“The great news is all the efforts people have put in to establishing a true resident-led partnership is working."

Anyone interested in getting involved in BIG Local should contact Mr O’Hare by e-mailing shaun@keighleyvs.org or calling 01535 665258.