Official reopening of Keighley’s Cliffe Castle Museum

The Grade II listed building was closed to the public for 15 months for a £570,000 refurbishment.

Work included the restoration of Bracewell Smith Hall, new displays and improved lighting.

There will be a welcome at 2pm on Saturday by Maggie Pedley – Bradford Council’s museums and galleries manager – and Friends of Cliffe Castle chairman, Michael Scarborough.

There will then be a talk on the history of the museum by historian and Keighley News Memory Lane columnist, Ian Dewhirst. Attendance is free but e-mail alyson.evans@bradford.gov.uk to book places.

Family activities – including designing an imaginary shop and learning how to be an archaeologist – will take place between noon and 3pm. And there will be period piano music in the Victorian drawing room.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the council’s executive member for culture, said: “This celebration event will be a great opportunity for people to rediscover Cliffe Castle Museum.

“It’s always been a hugely popular site, and now there are plenty of new reasons to come and visit.”