A busy weekend of activities was staged across the district.
Keighley’s first open-air spring fair, held by the town council on Church Green on Saturday, proved a success.
The entertainment jamboree was similar to the St George’s Day celebrations organised in previous years.
The town council brought the event forward a week to tie in with Go Local Sunday, when visitor attractions opened their doors for free.
Attractions included a climbing wall, Punch and Judy show, belly dancing and Blowjangles streetband.
The finals of a talent competition saw James Coley win a slot performing at this summer’s Aire Do music festival in Cliffe Castle Park.
Town council spokesman Debbie Spink said: “We had our horse, Bella, pulling the Black Maria from Keighley Police Museum.
“The museum in the civic centre was open on Sunday, and apparently 400 people went through the door.”
Participants in Go Local Sunday –organised by Bronte Country Tourism Partnership – included East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley Police Museum, the Museum of Rail Travel, Ingrow Loco Museum, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Bronte Parsonage Museum and The Passionate Brontes’ Guided Walks.
Paul Holroyd, of Ingrow Museum of Rail Travel, said: “In addition to visitors from further afield, 220 local residents came to us this year, compared to 81 last year.
“Naturally, we’re delighted with the increase. People don’t have to be railway enthusiasts to enjoy our museum – we have a number of video and audio presentations, and our carriages have been filmed all over England for more than 60 TV and film productions.”
Keighley Bus Museum Trust operated a vintage bus service to ferry people between the attractions, and a spokesman said they enjoyed a very busy day.
More than 500 people took advantage of free entry to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, more than twice the number that attended last year. “It was a pleasure to see families filling the museum,” said new executive director, Ann Sumner.
Also on Sunday, more than 20 vehicles took part in the latest Bronte Tractor Run.
They set off from Cross Roads and followed a route around Worth Valley.
The event finished at the Bronte Hotel in Haworth, where there was a raffle and pie and peas were served.
About £450 was raised for Guide Dogs.
Stanley Turner, for the organisers, said: “It was a smaller turnout than normal – some people couldn’t attend because of lambing – but it still went well and everyone enjoyed it. We set off in sunshine and finished in rain! I would like to thank everyone who gave their support.”
- East Riddlesden Hall is opening its doors for free for the second weekend running. This Saturday and Sunday it will join 200 National Trust properties across the UK providing free admission. People should download a free visit voucher from nationaltrust.org.uk/freeweekend with the hall open from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
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