RIDDLESDEN Gala has been revived just three months after the event folded through lack of support.

More residents have come together to start organising an event for next year on Saturday June 13.

The new committee promise a "bigger and better" gala as the event enters its 37th year as a focus of community life.

The group's secretary Gill Bennison said: "New life, fresh blood, imaginative ideas and enthusiasm has been breathed into the plans for 2020.

"A new committee has taken up the reins following many years of successful galas in Riddlesden to organise a bigger and better summer celebration for the local community.

"The procession will be longer. There will be a gala king and queen with attendants, and more entertainment, music, fairground rides, gin and beer bars, stalls and activities."

The venue, as in previous years, will be Riddlesden St Mary's Primary School. The gala's theme will be announced soon.

The committee, chaired by Claire McGuigan, plans to hold a competition in the New Year amongst local children to choose a Gala King and Queen with attendants. There will also be creative workshops to prepare costumes and decorations for the gala parade.

Prior to this year's gala, members of the volunteer committee announced they planned to step down afterwards.

Long-serving chairman Geoffrey Baldwin said the gala would fold unless new people came forward, but up to then little interest had been shown.

Norman Bailey, treasurer for many years, said he and two other committee members had been willing to continue.

He said this week: "I was determined to see the gala continue and went to great lengths to ensure that this would happen. Fortunately an enthusiastic new committee has been formed with exciting, new ideas."

"We are looking forward to a very successful event in June 2020."

At the 2019 gala, the committee laid on a wide range of entertainment both during the procession and on the field, on the theme of superheroes.

They booked appearances by groups including City of Bradford Pipe Band, Rainbow Morris Dancers, Silsden All-Star Majorettes, Jamba Samba band and XTreme cheerleaders.

Gala field attractions included a climbing wall, Punch and Judy show, children’s games and stalls.

Riddlesden Gala raised money for a different charity every year, and this year two were chosen, the Keighley and District branch of the National Autistic Society and the Pass On Preloved Items (POPI) group, who are sharing in about £1,000.

Visit the Facebook page The Riddlesden Gala for further information on preparations for the 2020 event.

Anyone who wants to join the organising committee should email gillflower84@hotmail.com or call ring Gill on 07900 162381.