11:20am Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Jim Jack
Burley-in-Wharfedale has celebrated the end of its second successful Summer Festival – and is looking forward to more to come.
The attractions-packed 2010 event concluded on Monday with a picnic at Burley Park followed by a jazz evening at the Queen’s Head.
But its finale was dominated by Sunday’s 2010 Burley Show, when hundreds of people flocked to the Queen’s Hall to view locally-produced fruit and vegetables, flowers, crafts, wines and more.
Organisers Burley Gardeners’ Association were delighted with the turnout.
Publicity secretary Bev Plaxton said: “Burley Show continues to be a very popular event with both exhibitors and visitors.
“This year there were 91 entrants, slightly less than last year but still higher than 2008, which is good news.
“And local businesses continue to participate in the event by entering the Burley in Bloom competition for the Dick Hargrave Shield, which was won this year by Country Corner.
“The total number of entries was down from 381 to 376 although this is still higher than in 2008, and the flower, open, produce and wine classes all had more entries than last year.
“We were disappointed, though, in the number of entries in the new classes – introduced to encourage novices to have a go by competing only with each other – which were down from 12 to two. We hope the numbers will increase again next year.
“The number of junior entrants remained steady and Curtis Baker retained the Ascough Trophy for the third year running. Our youngest entrant was just two years old!
“The committee would like to thank everyone who entered, helped set up and run the show, or visited.”
Other hits over the festival’s final weekend included Egyptian belly dancing workshops at Burley Grange, a rounders game at Scalebor Park, a variety of themed walks and a kite-making session.
Saturday’s entertainment was crowned by an operatic performance from soprano Sarah Estill and tenor Ben Kerslake, accompanied on the piano by David Burnett.
Sunday, meanwhile, saw the Methodist Church hold a service with a difference as children who had been enjoying the Big Top Holiday Club there all week gave the congregation an idea of all the different activities they had been trying.
Other events saw wildlife lovers introduced to Sun Lane Nature Reserve and a fundraising ‘urban golf tournament’ held, and there was also a children’s and parents disco, pork pie contest and a Risk board game competition.
Festival committee chairman Sylvia Tilford said: “Overall we feel the festival has been a great success.
“From comments we’ve picked up from people the variety of events has been even greater than last year’s, and the combination of repeating popular events from last year and introducing new ones has worked really well.
“For the evening events of jazz, theatre and opera ticket sales were very high but equally there were excellent turnouts for the free events across the village.
“The children’s events recruited very well and we could have filled some of them two or three times over.
“Clearly the festival could not happen without the time and generosity of all the people who provide and lead events, those who have offered financial support, the volunteers who ensure that the whole festival runs smoothly and the committee, which has worked throughout the year.
“Businesses have also been key in providing support and last, but very definitely not least, are the people of Burley and the surrounding district who have participated in events and made them a success.
“We would like to receive lots of feedback about the festival which can be used in planning future events in the village.”
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