Saturday 18 July 2015

Proms on the Farm raises a record £15,000

Above: the Simpsons won the prize for the best dressed gazebo at the 12th annual Proms on the Farm at Silsden on Saturday, July 18. Terry and Margaret Simpson, of Silsden, are pictured with their happy family after receiving the accolade. 
Above: the Proms on the Farm was an outstanding success and attracted a record attendance of around 800, excluding under-16s (for whom entry was free). The event is held in aid of the Manorlands hospice and Silsden Methodist Church's community work. They are expected to share record Proms proceeds of about £15,000. Over the years, the event has raised £126,000 for the two causes. 
Above: the revellers included newly-weds Melanie Ninniss-Mateo (right) and John Mateo (left), who were attending their first event as a married couple. They are pictured with Melanie's sister Diane Bloomer, Simon Holland (centre) and David Smart, ex-landlord of the Punch Bowl pub in Silsden.
Above: the Proms are held at Sycamore Farm, Brunthwaite, by permission of Mrs Jean Newns and this year the two fields were packed as never before with people and parked cars.     
Above: these friends took the opportunity to flag up a charity hog roast, which will be held at High Crossmoor Farm on August 1. 
Above: as inventive as ever, these regular Prom-goers chose Christmas and Santa's Silsden Grotto as their theme.
Above: friends treated Trish Coll (centre) to a 50th birthday party, which included a 'mums and babies' themed cake made by Debbie Wilson (third from left). The mums met at ante-natal classes 20 years ago and have been friends ever since.
Above: seldom has Brunthwaite seen so many pleased promenaders.
Above: the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, and her consort, Robert Dodds, headed the VIP guests and helped judge the 'best gazebo' competition along with Silsden deputy town mayor Councillor Keith Savage (centre), consort Councillor Margaret Croft and Silsden Methodist Church Minister the Rev Ruth Crompton.
Above: these Silsden promenaders were colourfully attired as masqueraders. They included Rosalie Holroyd (fifth from left), one of the four organisers of the annual event. Her committee colleagues (not pictured) are Sylvia Atkinson and Stewart and Fiona Hanson.
Above: John Shuttleworth and his wife, Geraldine (second from right), who live nearby, have attended all 12 proms.They are pictured here with friends.
Above: local rock group the Big Bang were once again a big hit with promenaders. Left to right are B. J. Walmsley, Stan Greenwood, Kieran Nuttall and Steve Lampkin.
Above: Keighley Rotary Club attended. Immediate past president Janet Pickles is pictured fourth from right. Seated is president-elect Marie Hickman.
Above: the renowned Skelmanthorpe Brass Band, formed in 1843, headlined. Conducted by Martin Hall and with Silsden singer Sarah Halstead as soloist, the band played favourites from the Last Night of the Proms. The Sultans of Swing, formed last year, completed the musical line-up.
Above: a perfect setting, perfect weather and popular performers made it a night to remember.
Above and below: there were gazebos galore and plentiful picnics.