COUNTRYSIDE around Silsden was showcased in a one-day exhibition.

More than 80 photographs featured in the event, at Silsden Town Hall.

The display, based on a Springtime Around Silsden theme, was the highlight of a fundraiser organised by the town's Campaign for the Countryside.

Environmental groups including the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Woodland Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and Plastic-Free Silsden were represented.

The aim was to raise awareness of the campaign and its work to protect the countryside, and to boost its 'fighting fund'.

More than £200 was raised.

Coffee and homemade cakes were served.

Campaign co-founder, Caroline Whitaker, said: "The standard of photography was exceptionally high and every single picture brilliantly illustrated the very special nature of the countryside which surrounds Silsden.

"Almost all our visitors commented on how important it was to treasure and respect this natural environment."

Photos were judged by local artist Jo Whitehead and town councillor Darren Edwards.

A prize for the most outstanding individual entry was awarded to Mark Waddington – a recent recruit to Silsden Photography Group – for a sweeping view across the valley of a sunset, taken from Lightbank Lane.

A category for the most eye-catching picture taken in the Hawber Cote fields was won by Yvonne Weber.

Other prize winners included Paul Redshaw, for a portfolio which captured early-morning qualities of light across fields, lanes, ancient barns and the canal; Beth Liddle, for a photo of a family group enjoying the sunshine in Howden Lane, and Keja Ogden, for A Mother’s Love, depicting a cow and new-born calf.

The event also featured the first public showing of a watercolour, Swartha in Springtime, by well-known artist Hildred Harpin.

It was painted over 60 years ago as a wedding present for a friend, Mrs Joan Todd.

Pre-event news of the showing attracted an unexpected visitor to the hall.

Mrs Doreen Godfrey, of Thwaites Brow, turned-up with a sketch of her younger self which Mr Harpin had drawn during his class at the old Keighley Junior Art School in 1952.

"I enjoyed being a pupil of his because he was such a nice and helpful man," said Mrs Godfrey, who was Doreen Barritt when the sketch was produced.

"We always knew him as Harry Harpin.

"I followed his artistic career with interest and was so pleased to read in the Keighley News that another example of his work was being shown at Silsden’s Countryside Day."