OLICANIANS turned out in fine style to celebrate a colourful carnival which boasted a passion for fashion.

More than 18,000 people enjoyed a blazing hot Bank Holiday Monday to leave the carnival organisers absolutely delighted.

This was about 6,000more than attended last year's event - also held on a hot day.

Carnival president Miggy Bailey, speaking as the event was in full swing, said: "It is absolutely amazing. I don't think the weather has ever been so hot, I've never seen so many people in summer gear at the event. People were coming in at 10.30am this morning, I can't ever remember people coming so early to the carnival," she said.

Mrs Bailey said the grand parade, with its Fashion Through the Ages theme, had been 'magnificent.'

Her thoughts were echoed by Alec Henderson, the retiring chairman of Ilkley Parish Council.

He said: "What a wonderful finale to my term in office. A wonderful note on which to retire."

The imagination of those taking part in the grand parade continues to delight carnival organisers every year.

The fashion theme had certainly inspired all the floats and those participating in the walking tableaux.

Clevedon House School boasted the Beatles complete with yellow submarine, as its Sixties float impressed judges and onlookers alike.

Romans mingled with the cavemen from Bolling Road First School, while youngsters from Ashlands First School displayed fashions past, present and future.

As East Holmes Field swelled with carnival-goers, those manning the entrances were kept very busy as visitors continued to flood in throughout the day.

A variety of trade stalls and charity stands attracted keen interest from visitors and those selling ice cream enjoyed a bumper afternoon judging by the large queues.

While youngsters whizzed down a rope slide organised by The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, others enjoyed a Punch and Judy Show, took part in the Yorkshire Dales Radio broadcast, met the canine stars of the Paws For Thought dog display team, or tried not to upset the fearsome looking members of the English Civil War Society.

However, the undoubted stars in the main arena were Gerard Naprous and The Devil's Horsemen. Gerard and his team have starred in numerous film and television hits, including Braveheart and Merlin.

Gerard and his team of medieval knights sought 'favour' from Ilkley's ladies (this consisted of women attaching a variety of items to the end of a lance). The knights then engaged in a jousting tournament, displaying terrific horsemanship.

Inspector Alison Bennett of Ilkley Police said: "It is a lively, family afternoon. What can you say about the weather."

When the final revellers had departed, the carnival president had time to reflect on the day's events.

Mrs Bailey said: "It was a fantastic day. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I thought the attractions, particularly the horses and the display team, were marvellous. How do you top acts like that?"

Mrs Bailey and the rest of the carnival have two weeks to treasure the memories of 1999 before they sit down to plan the Ilkley Carnival 2000.

l This year's carnival beneficiaries will be hoping to benefit from the generosity of those who attended the event. The final total will be revealed shortly.

The beneficiaries are: Air Training Corps, Ilkley Talking Newspapers, Ilkley Choral Society, MacMillan Cancer Relief, 3rd Ben Rhydding Scouts, Middleton Road House Project, Arthritis Research Fund, Cats Protection League, Ilkley Parish Council (Millennium Projects Fund) and Ilkley Video 2000.

A member of the Civil War Society makes things go with a bang.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.