ONE of the Bradford district’s top tourist attractions will welcome a Royal visitor later this week.

Prince Edward the Duke of Kent - the Queen’s cousin - is involved with over 140 charities so it is no surprise that he will be spending the day at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Ingrow Church and Bahamas Locomotive Society.

First the prince will head down to Ingrow church, where he will be met by Reverend Dr Tracey Raistrick for a look around.

The church has stood at the heart of the Ingrow community since its construction in 1842; paid for in part by monies from the same mill owners who supported the original creation of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Line, many of whom are buried in its churchyard.

The royal visit comes at a time where the church is looking for ways to open up the fabulous heritage of the building and grounds to better serve the community once again

Reverend Tracey said: ‘The congregation at St John’s church are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome his royal highness to the church. The Duke of Kent’s visit initiates a period of community consultation as we look for fresh ideas and new partnerships for investment in Ingrow, Hainworth and Bracken Bank as we look to live out God’s love among the people here’.

His Royal Highness will then visit members of Bahamas Locomotive Society at Ingrow West Station based on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway where he will get a glimpse of the newly renovated locomotive, Bahamas 45596. 45596 recently ventured on its first mainline tour in over 25 years following a £1m grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The loco does of course have Royal connections being a member of the LMS Jubilee class of locomotives, the first of which was named Silver Jubilee to celebrate the silver jubilee of King George 5th and then named after commonwealth countries where the name ‘Bahamas’ comes from.

Keith Whitmore, Bahamas Locomotive Society Chairman said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that the Duke of Kent is coming to Ingrow to look at our newly overhauled engine 45596 Bahamas which would not have been possible without support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. I am sure that the Duke will enjoy seeing this beautiful piece of heritage first hand, up close.’

From Ingrow West Station, he will board the beautiful L&Y Club Car, one of KWVR’s most luxurious carriages that dates back to 1912 to enjoy tea and cake on board whilst travelling through the beautiful Bronte countryside down to Keighley.

Here is where Prince Edward will experience something a little different, HRH The Duke of Kent will board the footplate and travel with the train driver down to Oxenhope. It’s not every day you get to see a prince on-board the footplate.

For royalists and the public alike, The Duke of Kent will be alighting at Oxenhope Station where visitors can greet the prince on the platform.

Built in Glasgow in 1934, Bahamas was retired in 1966 and was destined for a scrapyard in Hull until the Bahamas Locomotive Society stepped in to buy it the following year.

Its latest comeback followed an extensive refit in Birmingham.