6:30am Monday 13th July 2009
By James Rush
As the build-up to the summer holidays continues there was no lack of galas and events over the weekend.
Thousands of people flocked to the annual West Yorkshire Fire Service Summer Gala on Saturday, at the service’s headquarters in Birkenshaw.
A range of high-tech fire and rescue equipment was showcased at the gala, which raised money for The Fire Fighters’ Charity, British Red Cross and local cancer charities, Senior community safety officer Brian Robson said the event gets bigger and better each year.
He said: “The weather was very kind to us – we had another fantastic day with somewhere in the region of 8,000 visitors.”
At Newby Primary School, in Ryan Street, Bradford, youngsters were decorating bikes and trainers as part of Bridge Fest – a day to promote cycling and walking for when the new Manchester Road bridge is built.
The event was organised by community-led company Bradford Trident with Bradford Council to involve children from the Manchester Road area who will benefit from the new bridge and the linked traffic-free routes into the city centre.
Pupils, parents and staff at an award-winning new school celebrated with a day of fun and games.
All Saints Primary School, in Little Horton Green, marked the occasion with special dancing and singing performances by children in the hall.
This was followed by a summer fair in the school grounds.
At Saltaire’s Vintage Home and Fashion Show the scene was set with music from the 1920s to the 1960s as vintage clothing and homeware enthusiasts flocked to the nostalgic fair. Collectibles on sale in Victoria Hall included vintage frocks and coats, chine, jewellery and toys.
Caroline Brown, who runs vintage shop House of Rose & Brown, in Victoria Road, Saltaire, organised the fair. She said: “We had about 500 people through the door.and had about 40 stall holders selling homeware and fashion, so there was everything from 1930s radios to 1950s prom dresses.”
And it was back to the future at Shipley Pool when school children took part in an ‘It’s a Knock Out’ competition. Children from five primary schools battled it out on Saturday in the third year of the school competition based on he hit 1970s TV show.
Thousands also turned up to the annual Manorlands Hospice Gala yesterday. The hospice opened up its grounds where stalls and entertainment attracted the crowds.
Matthew Binns, hospice community fundraiser, said he hoped the event would raise about £17,000 Hundreds also turned up to the East Morton Gala yesterday which saw a parade, with a Western theme, make its way down from Green End Lane, through the main street and on to the village green.
Meanwhile the new PTA group at Buttershaw Primary School held the first gala at the school for 15 years.
Face painting, a bouncy castle, tombolas, penalty shoot-outs and a fancy dress competition provided plenty of entertainment at the event.
And at Addingham Gala the theme was Cities of the World. A procession along Main Street to the gala field saw gala queen Nell Carter officially opened the event.
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