A POPULAR annual classic vehicle gathering has been staged again.

And Tony Anderton, who organises the event with wife Cathy, said it had "surpassed all expectations".

Around £2,175 was raised for Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.

The gathering, at Keighley Rugby Union Football Club, Utley, yesterday (July 9), featured a wide range of vehicles.

Amongst organisations represented was Craven Old Wheels Society, whose membership secretary Robert Meekings – who is also vice-chair of the national Jowett Car Club and secretary of its northern section – said the event represented a "significant step in the process of post-Covid recovery" for smaller clubs.

He added that some of those present had faced additional challenges over the past couple of years.

The Renaissance Motorcycle Workshop, which was in attendance with members of Denholme & District and Aire Valley Classic motorcycle clubs, was badly affected by the blaze which ripped through Keighley's Dalton Mills in March last year. Whilst motorbikes stored there suffered only slight damage, the workshop had to seek a new base – which it has since found in Addingham.

And Keighley Bus Museum Trust, which was also present at the gathering, has faced a period of ongoing uncertainty amid the prospect of having to relocate from its present base.

Others at the event included West Yorkshire Classics, with a police panda car and fire engine.

Silsden Moor Vintage Tractor Group arrived in convoy with a collection of its vehicles.

Around 40 members of Craven Old Wheels Society had cars there, and there was strong representation from Chevin Motor Club, Dales Historic Vehicle Club and the northern branch of the XR Owners Club.

It's estimated that about half of the 200 or so vehicles present on the day were exhibited by individual owners.

Other attractions included Taylor's Amusements, stalls selling a variety of products, and ferret racing with the Worth Valley Ferret Welfare group.

Mr Anderton said: "Although the main focus of the day is on vehicles, the purpose is to raise funds for Manorlands and that motivates Cathy and myself to keep the gathering going from year to year. I'd like to thank Keighley Rugby Union Football Club for providing the venue."

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale, plus parts of Bradford. It costs over £10,000 a day to run the hospice.