KEIGHLEY'S innovative textile industry across the years will be spotlighted at an event in the town.

Textiles expert and enthusiast Pam Brook is giving a presentation at a meeting of Keighley and District Local History Society.

Anyone is welcome to attend the talk – Material Worth: Textile innovations in the Aire and Worth Valleys – upstairs at Keighley Library, on Wednesday, June 12.

Pam says: "Bradford was always known as 'Worstedopolis', but Keighley and district was known for innovative experimentation with fibres such as artificial silk and inventive knitting yarn combinations along with advances in textile engineering.

"The talk will discuss some of these innovations, together with the town’s contribution to the early textile industry, its connections to East Lancashire and the move from handloom to industrial-scale weaving."

Amongst the firms to feature in the presentation are George Hattersley & Sons Ltd – founded in 1789 – and Prince-Smith & Stells, which was established in 1795, and there is a look at King Cole hand-knitting wools produced by RJ Cole Ltd.

Pam was born at Keighley's former Victoria Hospital and has lived in the area most of her life.

She worked at Hattersley Narrow Fabrics and at Keighley College.

As part of her extensive research, she regularly uses the archives at Cliffe Castle.

Pam has served on the council of Bradford Textile Society and volunteered her services with Bradford College’s textile archive.

She has been an active member of Keighley and District Local History Society for around four years.

The meeting is in the local studies library at Keighley Library, in North Street.

Doors open at 7pm, the meeting starts around 20 minutes later and the presentation will begin at 7.30pm. The meeting will finish at about 8.30pm. Anyone arriving after 7pm should use the library side entrance in Albert Street.

Admission is £3.50, or free to society members.

People wishing to join the society can pay in cash on the night. Membership for the rest of this year is £15, or £20 for a couple living at the same address.

Members also have the option to join the meeting via Zoom.

Keighley and District Local History Society this year marks its 20th anniversary.

The organisation stages monthly meetings, which members can attend for free.

For further information about the society, including its events and speakers, visit keighleyhistory.org.uk

The society can also be found on Facebook – go to facebook.com/keighleyhistorysociety