ORGANISERS have hailed Keighley Show as a success – despite the event facing possible cancellation just weeks ago.

Work being carried out on a crumbling section of River Aire banking, on the edge of the Marley playing fields venue, had rendered a chunk of the site out of bounds and put a question mark over the show.

But with changes to the reduced showground area, including revised parking arrangements, the extravaganza went ahead.

“Three weeks ago we thought we may have to cancel,” said show treasurer, Will Twigg.

“The showground was a third smaller than usual – and entries were up across every section!

“But with the alterations, the show went on, and it was a good day. Thanks to the support of Keighley Town Council we were able to keep adult ticket prices at £5, and footfall was similar to previous years.”

There was a host of attractions.

Main-ring entertainment included the Mighty Smith Show. It featured Adrian Smith, a three-times winner of the UK Strongest Man competition.

SMJ Falconry attended with a selection of its birds of prey.

West Riding Wood Turners demonstrated their skills.

And youngsters from Showkids Dance and Performing Arts displayed their talents.

A wide range of equestrian classes ran throughout the day.

Ever-popular terrier racing was back, plus there was a ferret show and racing, and a fun dog show.

There was an array of vintage and classic cars courtesy of the Craven Old Wheels Society, and an extensive display of vintage tractors.

Other attractions across the showground included children’s amusements, a licensed bar, catering and trade stands, and stalls held by various organisations and charities.

In addition to the traditional agricultural showing sections for cattle and sheep, there were around 60 classes in handicrafts, art, photography, baking and produce, and flower arranging, and more than 100 classes in the horticulture section. Standards were high.

A spokesperson for the sheep section said there was a “brilliant” turnout across all the classes, adding: “Exhibitors travelled from near and far to attend.”

A show ‘grand raffle’ took place – all prizes have been claimed, or winners informed.

A free vintage bus service provided by Keighley Bus Museum Trust carried visitors between the town centre and showground.

Results:

Flower Academy: Harry Keighley Trophy for best exhibit in open classes, Lisa Grimshaw; Ernest Carter Trophy for best exhibit in amateur classes, Sally Spencer; Keighley Chrysanthemum Trophy for best exhibit in novice classes and TL Ashton Trophy for best exhibit in show, Layla Reddihough.

Trade stands: 1 Paula’s Little Treasures, 2 Chelsea’s Country Crafts.

Vintage tractors: restored vintage tractor – 1 Dave Hammond with a MF135, 2 Frank Jennings with a Fordson E27N, 3 Stuart Baldwin with a Fordson Dexta, 4 Jack Hutchinson with a half-scale Field Marshall; original vintage tractor – 1 Mike Maris with a Ferguson TEF20, 2 Mick Gill with an International B414, 3 Nobby Clarke with a David Brown 990, 4 Matthew Gore with a John Deere 820; working vintage tractor – 1 Matthew Gore with a Ford 5000, 2 Robin Bowker with a David Brown 885, 3 Harry Nelson with a Ferguson FE35, 4 Simon Shelley with a Ford Super Major; HM Townend Shield, Dave Hammond; Raymond J Townend Memorial Shield, Mike Maris; Phillip Snowden Memorial Shield, Matthew Gore.

Horticultural section: Sir Bracewell Smith Trophy for best exhibit in show, Keighley Horticultural & Allotment Association Challenge Trophy, National Allotment & Garden Society Trophy, Bronte Dahlia Trophy for winner of KHS Dahlia Championship, and National Dahlia Society Silver Medal for best dahlia exhibit in show, Phil Nuttall; Keighley & District Society Members’ Trophy, Duxbury Trophy for winner of KHS Chrysanthemum Championship, A&M Allanach Trophy for best vase of incurved chrysanthemums, Brooke Trophy for best vase of spray or double spray chrysanthemums, and National Chrysanthemum Society Silver Medal, Alan Smith; Noel Kitchen Memorial Trophy, W Prince Smith & Sons Trophy, RD Whittaker & Sons Trophy for winner of heaviest sound onion, and National Vegetable Society Silver Medal for best vegetable exhibit in show, Mark Brown; Keighley News Trophy, Phoenix Bass; Prince Smith & Stell Silver Trophy, Alison Steele; FS Otty Memorial Trophy, Dean Taylor; Proctor Trophy for best vase of gladiolus, Brian King; Vincent Brown Memorial Trophy for best vase of sweet peas, Constance Shapiro Memorial Trophy for best exhibit of roses, Bob Lewis Memorial Trophy for best vase of carnations, and John Edward Thomas Memorial Trophy for exhibitor with most points, John Smiles; Dunderdale Trophy, Trevor Parry; Silvia Cole Trophy for best exhibit in children’s classes, Lewis Grimshaw; National Chrysanthemum Society certificate of merit, Philip Sutcliffe.

Handicraft and Produce: most points in baking and most points overall, Linda Herd; best photograph, David Conley; best hard handicraft, Karen Stansfield; most points in handicraft, Gillian Humphrey; most points in junior section, Mia Mclaughlin and Lewis Grimshaw; most points in senior section, Lily Seymour and Daisy Saxby Doherty; best exhibit in art section, Michael Ford.