KEIGHLEY Show is back!

Following an enforced break due to the pandemic, Keighley & District Agricultural Show Society has announced that the event – held on the first Saturday in September at Marley playing fields – will return this year.

And the society hopes that "more people than ever" will go along to give their support, on September 3.

Thanks to financial backing from Keighley Town Council, the cost of admission tickets to the showground is being halved – to £5 per adult – from the 2019 price.

And there will be free admission for all under-16s accompanied by a paying adult.

Society chair, William Mitchell, told the annual general meeting that it was important they "pulled out all the stops" to make this year's event a success.

He also stressed the need for more people, particularly the younger generation, to get involved in helping with the event.

"After two years without a show we have to give it the best we can – pull out all the stops – to make 2022 a memorable event and utilise what is available to us," said Mr Mitchell.

"The key issue crucial to the survival of the show in the future is that more people, particularly the next generation, come forward to be involved – not only on the field before, during and after the show, but also as part of the organising committee. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes throughout the year to stage each show."

President this year is Andrew Wood, community fundraising manager at the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.

He said he felt "honoured" to be president for the third year in succession, although he hadn't yet been able to carry out the role due to the pandemic.

Mr Wood added he hoped the show – which was first held 65 years ago – would "bounce back and move forward" after its enforced absence.

Lead officials re-elected were chair Mr Mitchell, secretary Abby Marsh and treasurer Will Twigg.

The secretary is standing down after this year's event, and the society would like to hear from anyone interested in the revised role of show administrator – or anybody able to volunteer in any capacity.

Also sought is an individual, or small team, willing to run the popular rabbit section.

For further information or to contact the show society, visit keighleyshow.co.uk, email secretary@keighleyshow.co.uk or call 07704 766010.