Thousands turned out for Skipton’s record-breaking charities gala.

Sunshine and pre-football World Cup euphoria ensured Saturday’s event was the best for years. A record number of entries in the procession ensured thousands lined the streets and a variety of family entertainment thrilled the crowds at Aireville Park.

Schools, clubs, shops and businesses entered floats into the procession that started from Westmoreland Street and travelled through the town to the gala field at Aireville Park.

Once at the park, American-style wrestling, shoot-outs between cowboys, bands and displays of martial arts kept everyone entertained.

And the day finished off with a fireworks display – with many people returning after watching the World Cup match between the United States and England.

Skipton mayor Coun Robert Heseltine said it had been a wonderful day. “It was tremendous, the best Skipton Gala ever,” he said. “To see so many families sitting on the grass enjoying such a special day was brilliant.”

Committee chairman Geoff Dunn said it was the largest procession he had seen for years.

“It took an hour and 25 minutes to get all the floats out of Westmoreland Street. I’m the last to go and usually there is enough time for me to get to the gala field in time for the crowning of the gala queen,” he said. “But this year, by the time I got to the field, they’d crowned the queen and the band was already playing.”

He said the American-style wrestling was particularly popular with the children.

The cowboys also went down well and around 2,500 people watched the motorcycle display.

“It was a wonderful day, there were no hiccups and everything went fine,” said Mr Dunn. “It is fantastic how everyone supports us and a lot of people came back out after the football to watch the fireworks.”

There was also a display by Premier Martial Arts Group from Barnoldswick.

Meanwhile, there was an upset in the tug o’ war competition when four-times-winners, Skipton Rugby Club Exiles, lost out to Upper Wharfedale Young Farmers. The rugby side eventually came third, after Lothersdale Young Farmers.

Committee member Vera Longthorne, in charge of gala queens, missed her first gala in seven years after slipping and pulling a ligament.

Mrs Longthorne who, for the first time this year, had arranged for retiring gala queens to attend the event, slipped shortly after getting out of her car on Wednesday last week.

“I felt awful that I wasn’t able to go. It was such a lovely day. I gave everyone a ring in the morning and I’m so pleased it went so well. People are saying they’ve never seen so many people in Skipton,” she said.

* See today's Craven Herald for lots more pictures of Skipton Gala.