Keighley district flew the flag for Yorkshire Day – and everyone had a reyt good time!

Visitors at Haworth joined residents in celebrating God’s Own County.

Home-produced food, including Denholme honey, Keelham Farm chutney, Seabrook crisps, Wensleydale cheese and traditional curd tarts was available to sample at the village’s Visitor Information Centre.

There was also a treasure hunt and a competition to give people a chance to win tickets for a pantomime at the Alhambra this year.

And at the nearby Bronte Parsonage Museum, a packed programme of activities included guided walks, a drawing class and old Yorkshire tales from the Brontes’ servant, Tabby. Yorkshire recipe books, walking guides and Yorkshire Tea were top sellers in the museum shop.

Keighley town mayor, Councillor Sally Walker, and Lord Mayor of Bradford, Keighley councillor Khadim Hussain, spent Yorkshire Day – last Thursday – at a mass celebration in Skipton.

More than 200 civic dignitaries arrived in the town, first by sailing up the Leeds-Liverpool Canal from Snaygill and then marching up the historic High Street for a service in Holy Trinity Church, conducted by the Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines.

“It was a lovely day and there was a very inspirational speaker,” said Coun Walker.

In Keighley, the town’s Rotary Club satellite group staged a celebration at Central Hall in Alice Street. A Yorkshire welcome from Maggie Marsden was followed by a rousing rendition of On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘At.

A meal of Yorkshire Pudding and onion gravy, home produced cheese and biscuits and coffee creams was served. There was then an evening of entertainment. Thanks were given by Rotary assistant governor, Mike Bamford.

Cross Hills and Glusburn Manorlands Support Group also marked Yorkshire Day with an event at Cross Hills Methodist Church hall. There was a talk by historian and Keighley News Memory Lane columnist Ian Dewhirst MBE, and supper was served. The evening raised £816 for the KN-backed Million for Manorlands appeal.