HAWORTH’S first annual Demonstration and Gala was held on the West Lane football field in June, 1899, with schoolchildren contributing maypole dancing and dumbbell exercises together with the May Queen seen here, eleven-year-old Rose Murgatroyd, with her maids of honour.
They rode to the field in a waggon which was, as the Keighley Herald observed, “so prettily embowered in fresh spring foliage, and decorated with gaily-coloured ribbons, that the unambitious character of the vehicle was not at once apparent”.
The balloon on the right was called the Lord Masham, in which later in the day Reuben Bramhall, from Bradford, made an ascent, accompanied by Charles Merrall of Haworth. They came down near Yeadon.
Promoted by local friendly societies and the Tradesmen’s Association, the event raised more than £120 towards the funds of a Haworth and Oxenhope District Nurses’ Association, which was formed in 1897.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here