HELLIFIELD enjoyed a three-day millennium celebration over its year 2000 gala weekend.

The fun started on Friday night when residents gathered for the millennium photograph taken by Brian Hugill. After some shuffling, everyone smiled, said "cheese" and were recorded as a representation of Hellifield in the year 2000. Copies will be available at a later date.

The marquee, erected on the football field to host gala events, was the venue for an evening's entertainment hosted by London keyboard player and singer Rockin Robert. The evening was well attended.

The main event, the gala itself, started with fancy dress entrants gathering on the playing field in Station Road on Saturday where Master of Ceremonies Roger Ingham and gala chairman Angela Dakin welcomed everyone.

The judges, Mr and Mrs C Hardaker, Mr and Mrs A Swinbank and Mr and Mrs E Belt had the difficult decision of choosing the winners.

This year the decorated floats were of an exceptionally high standard and, as the parade moved off to the gala field, they were accompanied by a fire and rescue vehicle from Settle Fire Station and the Keighley Comets Majorette Marching Troupe.

On the gala field Mrs Dakin again welcomed everyone and thanked all the fancy dress entrants for their efforts.

Vintage comedians Laurel and Hardy - alias Mark Standrill and Andrew Ashcroft of Barnoldswick - opened the gala in true comic style.

The retiring gala queen, Vicki Sharpe, supervised the crowning of this year's queen, Lisa Procter, who was attended by Hellifield Primary School pupils Sophie Firth, Amy Smith, Thomas Stapleton and Andrew Lawson.

Roger Ingham presented the fancy dress winners with their prizes.

There were numerous stalls and attractions on the field, including a gala tombola, stalls from St Aidan's Church and the WI. The Duke of Wellington's Regiment brought an army display and the Foxwood Steel Band played.

In the marquee, children's entertainer Reg Rainbow kept the younger element amused whilst the more energetic got involved in the five-a-side football competition or fell race.

Meanwhile judging took place in the pet show with the usual anarchic assembly of animals kept under control while the results were decided upon.

In the evening was a well attended disco in the marquee.

Despite rather chilly weather, a sports and barbecue day was held on Sunday on the gala field with organised games and an enjoyable entertainment was had by all.

The millennium gala event was judged a success. It was well attended and thanks go to everyone who contributed in any way over the three days.

RESULTS

Fancy dress. Under three - 1 K and L Chanley, 2 J Leverton, 3 The Constantine/Nelson family. Three to five - 1 L Foster, 2 M and G Gray, 3 A Stapleton. Six to eight - 1 R Gray, 2 R Hulatt and B Proctor, 3 R Wildman. Nine to 11 - 1 L Kowolski. 12 to 14 - 1 G Jones and Co, 2 Kirsty Arthurs. 15 and over - 1 G Moor. Boys and girls open class - 1 Flying Scotsman, 2 Fantasia 2000, 3 Bob the Builder and Buttons and Bows.

Groups - 1 Hellifield Sports Club, 2 The Gray Family, 3 Saffrey and Draper Families. Decorated cycle - 1 M Dawson, 2 L Frazer. Decorated pram - 1 J Owens, 2 J Leverton, 3 K Chanley. Decorated wagon - 1 Hellifield Junior Football Club, 2 Hellifield Playgroup, Bugs 2000, 3 Dakin and Ridding Families, 4 Hellifield House Social Club. Junior overall - R Gray. Senior overall - G Moor.

Pet show - 1 P Ridgway, 2 J Dawson, 3 M Wright. Open class - 1 Kirsty Arthurs, 2 Karina Arthurs. Overall winner - P Ridgway. Five-a-side football - winners D Sharp, C Preston, R Wilkinson, D Gove, of Grassington; runners-up, from Hellifield, C Foster, D Arthurs, D Mattinson, M Sharpe, G Rotherham.

Fell race. Seniors - 1 S Oldfield, Bradford, 2 G Emmott, Cowling, 3 BGoodison, Leeds. Ladies - S Dugdale 8th, L Whittaker 13th. Under 17s - 1 R Whittaker, 2 T Charlton, 3 S Coates. Under 14s - 1 M Hirst, 2 H Coates, 3 S Bolland. Under 12s - 1 D Shepherd, 2 J Carling, 3 J Mountain. Under nines - 1 D Young, 2 E Thompson, 3 C Walker.

Field events. Flat race: three and under - 1 N Darling, 2 D Pethybridge, 3 L Charnley. Four and under - 1 B Dakin, 2 C Walton, 3 D Thompson. Four to five - 1 J Walker, 2 S Curley, 3 M Smith. Six to eight - 1 E Thompson, 2 J Beckwith, 3 R Thompson. Nine to 11 - 1 R Preston, 2 N Dakin, 3 J Mountain.

Egg and spoon: five to seven - 1 S Jones, 2 Adam Caton, 3 Annabelle Caton. Eight to 10 - 1 L Walker, 2 N Dakin, 3 J Beckwith. Sack race: 11 to 13 - 1 C Walker, 2 G Darling, 3 E Thompson. 14 and 15 - 1 B Taylor, 2 N Dakin, 3 M McLoughlin. Wheelbarrow race: six to eight - 1 E and R Thompson, 2 T Stapleton and A Caton, 3 S Jones and Chloe M. 9 to 11 - 1 C and L Walker, 2 N Dakin and R Preston, 3 J Darling and D Benson.

Three legged: 8 to 11 - 1 B Taylor and Mark McLoughlin, 2 R Preston and N Dakin, 3 C and L Walker. 100 yards flat race: ladies - 1 D Darling, 2 H Caton, 3 A Crabtree. Gents - 1 R Whitaker, 2 A Holden, 3 A Dakin. Slow bike race - 1 L Walker, 2 N Dakin, 3 R Preston.

Pick a diary date competition won by R Gallagher. Lucky programme won by D Roberts.