FUNDRAISING is getting underway to ensure that a community once again sparkles at Christmas.

The Oakworth Village Christmas Lights committee is staging a black and white ball.

And organisers promise a "fabulous night of glam and glitz".

"Dress to impress – black tie preferred, but not essential!" says Mags Dearden, the committee chair.

"There will be a glass of Prosecco or fruit juice on arrival, followed by a two-course meal provided by the Turkey Inn.

"Music is from the talented Nigel Passey Jnr, local swing singer, and DJ Chris Smith.

"The venue is Oakworth Village Hall, where there is a new, well stocked bar, at reasonable prices."

The event takes place on Saturday, April 22, at 7pm.

Tickets are available, priced £30, from ticketsource.co.uk/oakworth-village-christmas-lights.

Anyone requiring further information should email Oakworthvillagechristmaslights@gmail.com.

"Hopefully the event will be well supported so that we can continue to light up Oakworth at Christmas," says Mags, who was amongst those behind initial efforts to boost the festive feel in the village.

"In December 2020 when all the Christmas lights were going on in Keighley and surrounding areas I became fed up that Oakworth was dull and depressing!" she said.

"So I put a shout out and recruited some extra help to light up Oakworth, and Irene Fowler, Andrea Picton and Luke Maunsell all volunteered to help.

"A lot of background work was done and a community bank account created.

"We went round the village delivering leaflets, and posted on social media.

"We had donations to sponsor lights from Open House estate agents, Pure Lettings, The Snooty Fox, The Hardman family in memory of Charlie, Pauline Muir and family in memory of her brother, and other contributions from the social club, the village society, the village hall and Oakworth Primary School.

"A pupil at the school won a competition to design a light and turned the lights on in December, 2021. We also had grants from Bradford Council and Keighley Town Council. The event was supported by Adare, a local singing couple, who were fantastic.

"There was a fair amount of money left from the first year to go forward to the second year, when 6th Oakworth Scout group designed a light. Last year's switch on was by Brendan Santi, the Keighley Cougars Italian international, and the village-based Showkids performed.

"We now have 13 lights up in Oakworth, and they really do brighten up the village."