THE couple seated at the front of this picture are Mr and Mrs Harold Bell.

We believe the picture was taken at a gathering organised to thank them for their services to the young people of Cononley just before they left the village in the late 1950s.

Mr Bell was the headmaster of the local primary school for a number of years.

Behind the couple are members of the Playing Field Committee

The Rev Priestly Brook, who loaned the picture, says: "Mr Bell was the inspiration for bringing the school into the community, which continues to this day.

"The couple were dedicated to the work of the committee for the benefit of the children of the village, many of those children Mr Bell’s pupils. The committee gave many hours of free labour to village life.

"The high point of the year, which still continues to this day, is the village gala."

The line-up is, from the left, back row: Alec Smith, Mary Wallace, George Weston, Jim Walton, Kathleen Mawson, Fred Lee, Eric Wallace (half hidden), Ronnie Dixon, Kenneth Brook, Stow Harrison, Mr Newbroner.

Front row: Monica Scarr, Doris Walton, Nellie Smith, Elsie Laycock, James Laycock, Mrs Dixon, Eric Little.

Child at the front: Caroline Wallace.