What a day! Ilkley Carnival on Bank holiday Monday surpassed itself this year, and for all the right reasons.

The event was a lighthearted and thoroughly enjoyable oasis in a sea of seriousness that has been lapping our feet this year. The carnival will probably turn out to be one of the few major events able to go ahead this summer because of the foot and mouth restrictions.

The gloom has been overbearing. The restrictions have meant that Otley Show, Otley Carnival, Weeton Show, Askwith Show and Bingley Show are among the major dates to have been cancelled and Ilkley Moor has been closed for weeks.

What was needed was a ray of sunlight to dispel the gloom and on Monday we got it in every sense of the word. Again, the weather was glorious. Huge crowds lined the streets to see the grand parade through the town centre, before heading off for the carnival field, while on the way giving New Brook Street the resemblance of Wembley Way on cup final day.

Spring had well and truly sprung and thousands of people had a great day out. Full credit goes to the organisers, the volunteers and all those who took part.

Among them was the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Stanley King, and the Lady Mayoress, Barbara Ball, who also took part in the grand parade. Coun King, who gives a message of thanks for his year elsewhere on this page, has been an excellent Lord Mayor.

He has made a point of visiting and being involved with organisations in every part of the Bradford district and has been a familiar sight in the Ilkley area. At a time when the future of the Mayoralty is under discussion, it is heartwarming and reassuring to have a holder of the office who understands tradition and what is required of the post.

Thank you, Coun King, for being such an excellent ambassador.