One of the biggest events in Wilsden’s calendar has been cancelled, because the organisers couldn’t find enough volunteers to help run it.

Wilsden Children’s Gala was to take place early next month, but a lack of villagers willing to volunteer their time to make it a success meant it had to be cancelled last week, with those due to take part informed via letter.

It is the second time in three years the gala has been called off and throws its future into doubt.

In previous years the event, which raises funds for the upkeep of the village hall, has attracted up to 1,000 people. It involves a procession through the streets and events and games in the village hall.

The announcement comes just a few days after the annual gala in Baildon, just six miles away, was cancelled because of the work needed to organise it.

Wilsden Gala Committee ran the summer event until 2011, when it was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers. The village’s Advance Church stepped up to revive the gala, and last year’s 1950s themed day was hailed as a success.

But just one year later, the gala has suffered from a lack of people willing to volunteer.

Pastor Derek Carver, of the Advance Church, said: “It won’t be happening this year because there are not enough volunteers to run it.”

He declined to comment further, but said there would be other events organised to raise funds for the hall.

Wilsden Parish Councillor Tony Caunt said: “It has been going for many, many years, and it is very disappointing news. It is purely down to the lack of volunteers. It takes a lot of involvement and a lot of work, it takes a certain amount of people many months to organise, and they just couldn’t get these people.

“When it’s a nice day a lot of people turn up to this, so a lot of people will be disappointed. It is normally a great event that everyone in Wilsden enjoys. I think a lot of people seem to just expect things to happen, they don’t think of the tremendous amount of work put into it.

“The recent beer festival did very well and made money for the village hall. The gala also raises money for the hall, but it also means so much to the people of Wilsden. Everyone is so disappointed.”