July will see the start of this year’s Silsden Grand Departy
People in and around Silsden can look forward to a busy programme of entertainment this July.
Neil Whitaker, a member of Silsden’s Grand deParty group, said that as well as the newer events inspired by the 2014 Tour de France visit, more established festivities will be going ahead later in the month.
He said: “The Proms on the Farm and the annual Silsden Gala are each a July fixture in Silsden.
“This year’s Proms on the Farm, organised by the Proms on the Farm team, will be on July 23 and the Silsden Gala, arranged by Silsden Gala Committee, will be on July 31.
“There will also again be additional events in our town during July to mark the anniversary of the memorable visit of the Tour de France.
“To start things off, the first weekend of July will see a French-theme in the town to celebrate the fact this year’s Grand Depart will start in France.
“On July 9, there will be our second Grand Day Out in Silsden Park, followed on July 16 by the 2016 Showcase Silsden Day.
“For the afternoon of July 24, Churches Together in Silsden is organising – with Silsden Town Band – a traditional brass band concert at the bandstand.
“We are just putting the finishing touches to these, and other events. People should look out for organised walks and a film night, all during July, which will be part of Silsden’s Grand deParty.”
People can keep in touch via Twitter@granddeparty and Facebook – Silsden Granddeparty – or can e-mail info@http://granddeparty.silsden.net to contact the Grand deParty Group.
Proms on the Farm – a fantastic evening
Silsden’s annual Proms on the Farm have hailed the latest event as the best yet. An estimated 1,000-plus people converged on Sycamore Farm, Brunthwaite, for the charity event. The field was full of decorated gazebos as people revelled in an entertainment-packed evening.
“It was absolutely fantastic and we had more people than ever there,” said Rosalie Holroyd, for the organising team.
“We were helped by the weather. It was a lovely evening and everybody was sat outside their gazebos, which had been beautifully decorated.
“The atmosphere was just wonderful.”
Gazebos were set up and decorated from early afternoon and the event was opened at 7pm by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds. Judging of the best-dressed gazebo then took place and the accolade went to the Simpson family – as the cartoon Simpsons!
The programme of music featured the Sultans of Swing, the Big Bang and headliner the Skelmanthorpe Band, with soloist Sarah Halstead. All the favourites from the Last Night of the Proms were played. The event also featured an auction and raffle, with an array of donated lots and prizes.
“The support we receive from businesses and the wider community is incredible and we are extremely grateful,” said Mrs Holroyd.
“We sold over £1,000 in raffle tickets alone and had some great prizes.”
The Proms began as a small event 12 years ago raising money for Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands and Silsden Methodist Church, and have grown massively. Over the years it has coined-in more than £100,000. This year’s total is still to be finalised.
“It began with just myself and Jean Newns – who owns the field – but now we have a team of seven,” said Mrs Holroyd.
“We still support the same causes. Initially the Methodist Church funds were for the new building but now they go into community projects based there.
“We try to keep a kitty of about £150 to hold the event and all the rest goes to charity.
“People are already asking when next year’s will be! We’ve started planning!”
Proms on the Farm – pictures
… and the gnomes and the turkeys came out to play…..
and a good time was had by all.
Recent Comments