AFTER the high drama of the previous week when the Tour de France streamed through Addingham not once but twice, the annual village gala might have seemed a little superfluous.

But the organisers heard over and over again that with the people were glad to have another event to look forward to.

Happily it turned out to be another sunny Saturday.

With the village still covered in bunting and decorations, the parade took to the streets to bring to life this year’s theme of Fun and Games.

The highly competent young band of the 1224 Wharfedale Air Cadets led the parade down Main Street as Addingham Primary school pupils played Twister, the toddlers of the Pre-School Playgroup dressed as Hook-a-Duck ducklings won first place in the fancy dress, the scouts enjoyed a land-based version of Quidditch and the drama group paraded as the Cluedo characters.

On the gala field, the proceedings opened with the crowning of Emily Mayo as the 2014 Gala Queen, attended by her maid of honour, flower girls and knights.

Villagers and visitors enjoyed the sunshine seated on straw bales, watched the races and competitions and listened to the Silsden Town Brass Band. Cream teas were served and a packed marquee and field full of stalls provided much to see, do and buy.

Addingham brought its Tour de France Committee onto the field to thank them with a public round of applause and then asked them to count the fell runners down to the start of the fourth Gala Day fell race.

A field of 50 runners headed off in high heat and humidity for the top of Beamsley Beacon.

A raucous tug of war contest saw the village girls beat the boys, and the village women beat the men – the girls and ladies were determined to triumph and packed their side of the rope to secure a win.

Towards the end of an idyllic afternoon 500 brightly coloured racing balloons sold to raise funds for Addingham Scouts floated high above trees bound for who knows where and the afternoon drew to a close.

Each year the organisers distribute profits from gate receipts to local not-for-profit groups in the autumn. Application forms can be found in village outlets from mid-September.

In 2013, £2,750 was distributed to around 30 organisations.