It's a Manorlands record

The sun-kissed afternoon of games, stalls and enter-tainment brought in £21,320 on Sunday for the Oxenhope hospice.

Around 2,000 people came through the gates, while dozens of organisations and businesses provided support.

The garden party, which took place around the hospice grounds, was opened by Keighley MP Ann Cryer.

Manorlands spokeswoman Sally Outhwaite said: "She gave a very emotive speech about the care of Manorlands and the hospice movement in general."

Mrs Cryer was reunited with Haworth Brass Band, 35 years after she appeared with them as an extra in classic film The Railway Children.

The band kicked off the garden party's stage entertainment, which was compered as usual by Michael Walton.

Wowing spectators on the stage area with a demonstration for the first time were members of the Jai Freestyle Muay Thai Boxing Club.

They were joined by regular Manorlands performers the Samara Belly Dancers, Gordon Wilson's School of Dance and the Stevie B Magic Show.

Around the grounds there were 40 stalls, including old favourites such as linens, books, cakes, white elephant, rugs and throws, and a bouncy castle.

For the first time there were cream teas and remote-controlled miniature trains.

There were also vintage cars, a fire engine, reflexology, beat the goalie, roll a penny, coconut shy and rides on miniature trains and Goldwing motorbikes.

Manorlands' profits were boosted by the United Co-op, which donated most of the food and drink for the refreshments. Redhead Inter-national was again a sponsor.

Also providing support were Colin Appleyard's, of Keighley, various Lions, Soroptomists, Inner Wheel, Round Table and Rotary groups, and Sutton Amateurs.

Sally said Manorlands hoped to beat this year's total with its next garden party on July 9, 2006.

She said: "The fundraisers are extremely grateful to all the volunteers, support groups, donors, staff and visitors who contributed to the amazing success of the garden party."