Burley-in-Wharfedale residents have been told to 'think again' if they thought January 1 was the end of

millennium celebrations.

Although more than two years of preparation allowed the village's New Year's Eve celebrations to go with a bang, January 1 was not the beginning of the end for the committee - merely the end of the beginning.

Committee member Tom Sumner said thoughts were already turning to the Burley Millennium Festival, to be held in the first week of July.

Mr Sumner has exclusively revealed an attempt to recreate the famous Burley Pudding will be made - albeit it will not be a bid for the world record.

"We will be looking to recreate the pudding and make it an occasion to really remember," said Mr Sumner.

Far from being gripped by post-

millennium apathy, Mr Sumner is

confident the village will be ready for a festival not to forget come July.

"The initial meeting we had to

discuss the festival attracted more than 30 different organisations, and the committee was delighted with the response."

Mr Sumner said the festival 'diary' was already filling up fast but he would like to remind all those who have expressed an interest in taking part, that time is quite short.

"Already confirmed, as well as the Burley Pudding (a tradition which last took place in 1787, where a pudding was cooked in the village every seven years and then distributed to villagers) is a church flower festival and an open air service on the village green," said Mr Sumner.

He said the hard work was just starting but he hoped the July festival would allow the village to really

celebrate the first summer of the new millennium in style.

Committee chairman John Sparshatt said: "Our aim is to make this celebration a memorable occasion that all of us, young and old, will remember for years to come."

As for any wavering members of the millennium committee. "Don't worry about that, there's no way they're packing up," joked Mr Sumner.

Any Burley-in-Wharfedale organisations interested in taking part in the Burley Millennium Festival can contact Mr Sumner on 01943 862940.

l Mr Sumner would like to thank everyone who turned out on Saturday to help bring down the village's Christmas lights.

"It was great that people turned out to help and a lot of people said how much they had enjoyed it - working as a team in the community," he said.

l Burley Community Council has said it is happy for proposals to put a bus shelter in place at the at the village green stop, providing it is appropriate to the Conservation Area.

l Burley Community Council's web site is preparing to bring the organisation 'on line.'

Committee members hope the community council site, which has been registered as burley-in-wharfedale.org could be ready for launch in March.

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