THE September sun was a welcome addition to a colourful and action-packed Keighley Pride event throughout today and into this evening.

The town hosted the event for the first time and twinned with Ingrow Station to bring a whole day of entertainment and events to the district.

A highlight of the first Keighley Pride has been a rainbow train and a performance by singer-songwriter Claire Mooney.

The celebration of LGBTQ+ culture has been featuring music and comedy performances in central Keighley throughout today..

What’s more, people have been able to take a colourful train ride on a decorated diesel train from Keighley to Ingrow for further performances.

Festivities focussed on Central Hall, in Alice Street, with entertainment beginning at 2pm and running into the late evening.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway chairman Matt Stroh said he was pleased to be involved in the inaugural event for Keighley alongside the Bahamas Locomotive Society and the Vintage Carriages Trust, both based at Ingrow..

“We have been pleased to support this event and hope everyone has enjoyed the day. It has been a pleasure ferrying people on an adorned train to and from Keighley,” he said.

This afternoon has seen performances by drag host Marigold Addams, HUG – Haworth Ukulele Group, vocal-piano duo Ruth & Emii, singer-songwriters Izak Wilkinson and Claire Mooney, and five-piece band Playing For Kicks.

There are 16 stalls with information, activities and items for sale.

A Keighley Pride spokesman said: “Everything in the afternoon is about the whole community, diversity as well as inclusion, tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ+.

This evening will include a disco and performances from drag host Mysti Valentine piano vocalist Ruth Nielsen, upcoming performer Smashby, and comedian Bobbie-Ann Jones.

Activities focus on Ingrow station where at 11am Keighley MP John Grogan will officially launch Keighley’s involvement in the national Heritage Days.

Immediately afterwards there will be a short play about Ann Lister, alias Gentleman Jack, the lesbian landowner and industrialist of Halifax whose story was recently a hit BBC drama.

The special train set off from Keighley station at 11.35am, to be greeted at Ingrow at about 11.45am by flag-waving crowds with a second performance of Gentleman Jack followed by songs from well-known Manchester singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ campaigner Claire Mooney.

Keighley Pride is supported by Bradford Council, Bradford Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance and Keighley Town Council, and Keighley College and Bradford Youth Service who are helping before and during the event.

Keighley-born Marigold Addams has spent 18 years performing stand-up comedy and singing, while Mysti Valentine is a Bradford drag diva, gender illusionist and chanteuse.

Smashby is a 21-year-old queer pop artist who promises catchy bops and an infectiously energetic persona. Singer Izak Wilkinson, from Bingley, will perform his rhythmic guitar songs.