A LATE change of venue failed to spoil the fun at this year's Oakworth Gala.

Saturday's (July 1) event was to have taken place at its usual venue, the Oakworth Primary School sports field.

But Oakworth Village Society, which stages the gala, decided that following a week of wet weather this area was too boggy to be safe for vehicles and people.

A decision was made to hold the festivities in the village school's playground, with the kind permission of Oakworth Primary's governors, head teacher and staff.

Village society secretary Janet Armstrong, one of the gala organisers, said the event enjoyed good weather with a well attended procession launching the entertainment after setting off from Windsor Road.

In addition to Oakworth's own gala queen, Megan Mayor, the procession featured visiting gala queens from Silsden and Colne, as well as Oakworth's retiring queen.

Also taking part in the parade were City of Bradford Pipe Band, all the village's uniformed groups – including the Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides – youngsters from the preschool, Oakworth Cricket Club members, vintage cars and an open-top bus transporting Keighley town mayor Councillor Mohammed Nazam.

Bradford's Lord Mayor attended, and among other visitors in the procession were the Keighley Cougars team mascot, students from Keighley College with their own mascot, and performers from Oakworth Primary Cheerleaders, Showkids and Keighley's Hi Energy Dance Academy.

Mrs Armstrong added: "We had a lovely procession, which a lot of people watched.

"They filed into the school yard where we had dance demonstrations and music from the Showkids, Hi Energy Dance, Oakworth Primary School Cheerleaders and City of Bradford Pipe Band.

"There were children's races, and the 'Oakworth Haul', which is a four and a half mile race which attracted a lot of entrants.

"We're very pleased with the support we got from Oakworth Primary School, village residents and visitors.

"In particular we'd like to say 'thank you' for the help we got from Keighley and District Scouts Service Team."

Councillor Luke Maunsell, one of Keighley Town Council's Oakworth ward councillors, said: "It was an honour and a privilege to attend another wonderful Oakworth Gala.

"It is a delight to represent such a community-minded village, and I'd like to praise everyone involved for their hard work and dedication."