It is no surprise that business owners in Haworth have come forward to keep the village’s under-threat 1940s weekend going this year.

More than 20,000 visitors were reportedly attracted to it last year, and it would be foolhardy to let such an opportunity go begging.

What is perhaps more surprising is that it does seem to be down to volunteers to keep this event going. Surely there is an argument for some sort of involvement by Bradford Council?

This event brings in people from all over the world, and it would fit in well with portfolio holder for regeneration Coun David Green’s stated aim of a ‘clear strategy’ for tourism for the district when speaking about Haworth recently.

Unfortunately, the reason given by the original organisers for their recent decision to stand down and put the event under threat was Council red tape. It would be welcome if someone from Bradford Council now came forward to look at ways of helping to facilitate the 40s weekend.

Similar events in the North York Moors tend to be run, very successfully, through a multi-organisational partnership approach, with local authorities and parish councils all involved as well as volunteer groups. A similar model could surely be adopted for events like this in Haworth.

English Heritage has pledged to help market the village as an international destination. Surely then this sort of event is something they could also become involved in? The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway could also become more involved.

What is clear though is that this is an important event for Haworth and it would be a sad day if it didn’t go ahead. More joined-up thinking is needed to help support the eager volunteers who do all they can to make it happen.

And the Council has to be seen to be working towards helping it succeed, rather than the current perception, which rightly or wrongly, is that it is putting obstacles in the way.