DESPITE the constant rain for 12 hours before the opening weekend of the Burley Festival it was far from a wash-out.

All the events went ahead as planned and people enjoyed the improved weather and even moments of sunshine.

The muddy Recreation Ground did not hamper the canine entrants in the many Dog Show classes on Saturday with lots of doggie treats, events and some heart-warming stories of courage and rescue. This included Nancy, the Bulldog, who, having been nursed back to health by her current owners after previous abuse which gave her spinal injuries, proudly won the rescue dog category. Despite two events planned for the show being cancelled – one when the Terrier Racing decided to attend the BBC’s Country File Live Event instead - the second when a couple of the Shutzhund Demonstration dogs went down with kennel cough and had to be quarantined, the space was filled with fun activities instead – including The Great Sausage Challenge, Egg and Spoon races and an Agility Ring.

The first of the Walkers are Welcome walks took place to Weston Hall with walkers welcomed by the Dawson family for a tour of the Hall - not usually open to visitors. Outdoor Zumba took place indoors as the ground underfoot was so wet. Music in the park from the Wharfedale Male Voice Choir and the Anchor Band provided a lovely backdrop to afternoon teas provide by Scone Roses WI.

On Sunday over 300 entrants to the Classic Show managed to find a spot at Burley Cricket Club despite worries about the pitch standing up due to the previous rain. Amongst the many classes the winner of the “Organisers Choice” category was a 1934 Aston Martin Mk II DHC owned by Paul and Jen Martin and the “Best Club Display” was provided by the Classic Corvette Club UK.

Shopping seemed to be much on the minds of everyone visiting the Queens Hall for the Arts and Craft and Vintage markets with many craft traders leaving at the end of the day having to make more stock for forthcoming shows as a result of nearly selling out. At the Food and Drink market there was a similar story with no-one going hungry with such a vast array of food choice throughout the day.

Entertainment galore was also provided with the family favourite donkeys, owls, bouncy castle and face painting with music provided by Otley Brass Band. In the Library the Health and Wellbeing event visitors had the chance to learn about the risks of diabetes, how to improve the gut health and how to relax and unwind with mindfulness, reflexology and on-site seated chair massage. Grange Park also loaned their weighing machine and blood pressure machine which allowed people to monitor their health.

At the end of a busy Sunday Plastic Free Burley organised a litter pick so the village looked great for the continued Festival activities planned for the remainder of the week.

Not quite a record but there are 93 scarecrows in the Heroes and Villains competition still going on until this Saturday. Scarecrows including people from history - Suffragettes and Soldiers, and of course film Superheroes and Heroines including one climbing the church tower and scenes from Disney movies depicted in detail in many gardens across the village. The handy trail map purchased for a £1 helps find them all. People can be found wandering the streets and open spaces of Burley also taking part in Building, Orienteering and Geo-caching trails. This coming Saturday there’s a fabulous Family Fun Day with Skateboarding, BMX, scootering and play equipment and games including Spider Mountain, Ultimate Wipeout and Laser Tag. So there are lots of activities still going on for anyone thinking of what to do to entertain children and perhaps visiting relatives in the next few days.