Cononley Gala Day was a rip-roaring success, with an estimated 800 to 1,000 people being involved, watching the procession through the village, or just attending the Gala during the afternoon.

The procession followed its usual route through the village, marshalled by Roy Matthews, who was later presented with a plaque as a token of Cononley's appreciation for his having done the job for 50 years.

At the head of the procession was the Nelson Brass Band, which later played to the crowds in the village's Millennium Band Stand.

In the procession were floats for Gala Queen Jenna Chatburn and her attendants, Elouise Wilson, Sophie Rayner, and Charlotte Hall, last year's Gala Queen Lucy Hirst and her attendants Sophie Barrett, Katie Simms, and Bethan Latham, and The Toddler Group.

In addition, Cononley Kids Club provided a carnival atmosphere with dancing in the procession. Kath Swinson, the club co-ordinator, originally came up with the idea of having a carnival day at the after school club for those children not participating in the Cononley Gala parade. However, things escalated and all the children and staff got involved in making the costumes and, as they were ready in time for the gala, they asked if the kids club could be included in the procession.

Gala Queen Jenna was crowned by last year's queen Lucy Hirst. Five of the parents - Sarah Maddocks, Sally Birks, Gail Paul, Kathryn Radley, and Kate Meakin - spent the afternoon doing face paintings.

There was also an opportunity to buy one of the exclusive tea towels produced for Cononley School.

The crowds were entertained by demonstrations of country dancing by many of the pupils from Cononley School. Mrs Glenys Lofthouse, the headteacher, said that all the teachers had played an active part in training the children.

Linking all the events together was David Green, a member of the Playing Fields Committee, who spent the whole of the afternoon on top of the 'Media Tower' giving a running commentary.

Polly Whitaker, the secretary of the Playing Fields Committee, said: "The Committee would like to thank all those who helped set up in the morning and ran stalls and attractions in the afternoon, everyone who kindly baked for the tea rooms and the ladies who worked very hard in the tea rooms."

Polly went on to say: "Thanks are also due for all the kind donations, not only from local companies but people like Mary Drake who always gives the milk for the tea rooms, Linda Nutter who produced bouquets, Andrew from the New Inn for sponsoring the Sports/Fancy Dress prizes, to Roy Matthews for his 50th year of helping with the procession and to Dale Harrison for the loan of the wagons for the floats.

"This was a great event and one which the village of Cononley can be proud."

Volunteers wanting to help the Playing Fields Committee continue maintaining the facilities and safety of the Cononley Playing Fields should ring Polly Whitaker on 630303.

Results:- Fancy Dress competition based on the theme of 'under the sea' and judged by Parish Councillor Kathryn Wilson Three years and under: 1, Ciara Dyson (Treasure Chest), 2, William Harrison (Neptune), 3 Lydia Birks (Mermaid). Four and Five year olds: 1, Jacob Rickhuss (Octopus), 2, Hanna Thom (Octopus), 3, Luke Dyson (Octopus). Six and Seven year olds: 1, Thomas Whitaker (Octopus), 2, Martha Radley and Holly Mathewman (Mermaids), 3, Connor Mc Avoy (Steve Irwin). Eight to Ten year olds: 1, Ben Brittan (Octopus), 2, Josh Harvey (Neptune), 3, Hanna Gill (Mermaid). Eleven to Fourteen year olds: 1, Elsie Nelson (Open Sea), 2, Helen Naylor and Anna Simms (Divers).

The winners of the sports events which took place were: Three and under sprint, Freddie Maddocks; Four-five sprint, Sophie Hooker; Four-five egg and spoon, Eleanor Croasdell; Six-seven sprint, Rebecca Howard; Six-seven egg and spoon, Mathew McKennan; Six-seven sack, Joel Birks; Six-seven three-legged, Catherine Hooker and Sophie O'Hara; Eight-10 sprint boys, Luke Bayer; Eight-10 sprint girls, Bethan Latham; Eight-10 egg and spoon, Kimberly Howard; Eight-10 Sack, David Atha; Eight-10 three legged, Bethan Latham and Katie Simms; 11-14 sprint boys, Josh Brown; 11-14 sprint girls, Harriet Pickles; 11-14 piggyback, Richard Kennedy and Mathew Penaluna; 11-14 sack, Josh Brown; 11-14 wheelbarrow, Jayne Wilson and Hayley Biancardo; Open age 400 yards boys, Declan Bullock; Open age 400 yards girls, Harriet Pickles.

Annual Cononley Fell Race. The winner of the Men's race was Luke Porter, with Brett Weadon in second place and Brian McAvoy in third place. The winner of the ladies race was Helen Naylor, who was also celebrating her thirteenth birthday, with Hannah Simms second and Jenny Latham in third place. The Junior Girls winner was Betham Latham and the Junior Boys winner was Josh Brown.

Pictured are: Gala queen Jenna Chatburn, 11, with her attendants, from left, Eloise Wilson, nine, Sophie Rayner, eight, and Charlotte Hall, nine