Pouring rain gave way to cheerful breezy sunshine to draw the crowds to Saltaire’s World Heritage Weekend celebrations.

And the sun was not the only welcome late arrival to the party on Saturday – the event’s trademark alpacas were more than three hours behind schedule after one of their number, back home at Greenside Farm in Kirkby Lonsdale, had given birth that morning.

Children flocked to pet the three alpacas when they were led into their pen in the grounds of the United Reformed Church on Victoria Road.

To complement the alpacas, artist Lou Sumray was running a popular free workshop to make a decorated alpaca from a cardboard template.

Further up the street, a 1953 Jowett van from Bradford Industrial Museum was on display outside Shipley College’s Salt Building, where visitors enjoyed several displays and exhibitions, including Saltaire During the First World War and a World Heritage Exhibition.

Local historians were giving talks over the weekend about Saltaire’s place in history and its role in the modern world.

In the Victoria Hall, opposite, Saltaire Day of Dance was in full swing on Saturday and into the evening. The event, in the hall and other nearby buildings, was celebrating its 40th anniversary of dance, music and song workshops.

Outside the hall, musicians sang and played and the village’s Totally Locally initiative, focusing attention and resources on the local community, was launched.

The event was marked by a day of special offers at many shops and businesses in Saltaire.

Guided walks for all the family through the countryside surrounding Saltaire were held across the weekend and The Shipley Glen Tramway and Museum was open, along with the heritage sweet shop.

On Sunday, the Horse Boating Society gave demonstrations on harnessing Bilbo the barge-pulling horse before he set off along the canal.

Organiser Rob Martin declared the event had yet again been a success. “It’s been an extremely busy weekend, with a few minor frustrations such as the late alpacas. But the weather was kind and there’s been lots to see and do concerning Saltaire’s history.”

This was Saltaire’s fourth annual World Heritage Weekend, celebrating the rich culture of the village, with its historic buildings