WITH winter almost out of the way, now is the time for local people to start looking forward to the traditional festivals and events which work so well to bind the community together.

The Gazette would like to issue a rallying cry to make sure both major and minor events in the calendar are supported to the hilt as a reward to those unsung heroes and heroines who work so hard to keep them going.

It is now less than two months until the Ilkley Carnival and organisers are gearing up for the massive effort needed to make sure the event remains a major success. Already the Carnival painting competition has proved successful with many admirable entries from local schools.

It is also great news to discover that the revived Addingham Gala will take place again this year with a musical theme. Organisers have praised the Gazette, after stories in the paper prompted volunteers to come forward and offer their services.

Other events such as the Wharfedale Music Festival and Ilkley Literature Festival are also in the preparation stage and hopefully will be fully supported by people from inside and outside the area.

We hear so much nowadays about the loss of community spirit that it is vital community traditions and events are maintained so at least Ilkley and the surrounding district can buck the dispiriting national trend.

Perhaps that's why Ilkley and the surrounding area, if we are to judge from news of rocketing house prices, remains such a desirable place in which to live.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.