A FUN-packed extended weekend of events went ahead across the Craven district to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee despite some interruptions with the British weather.

Fetes, street parties, picnics, displays and contests marked the occasion with one particular resident from overseas winning a talent show.

Ukrainian refugee Kateryna Uschapovska, now living in Lothersdale Village Hall with her son, won the show organised in Lothersdale on Sunday.

Kateryna, 41, from Dnipro in Ukraine, repeated her country’s Eurovision Song Contest success and was awarded the prize by the judges to huge applause.

She is among six Ukrainian families who have been offered homes in the village and got involved with the festivities which were driven indoors later in the day by the rain and cold wind.

Every child in the village was earlier presented with a commemorative Jubilee mug donated by Richard and Elizabeth McAlpine.

In Skipton, events went ahead over the weekend including a street party in the high street organised by Skipton Town Council.

Louise Close, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said: “We were delighted to host the Platinum Jubilee Big lunch on Sunday. The event was a huge success with plenty of smiles to see. The entertainment on stage was wonderful and big thanks goes to the singers and Rombalds Radio for hosting the stage.

“It was a very special event, and we were proud to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of service to the nation, what a remarkable lady she is.

“The rain came but we danced through it and made a day to remember. Thank you to everybody who played a part and who attended and passed on kind words to all involved.”

The event included a fun fair and live entertainment on a stage in the High Street which was closed to traffic for the day.

The day started with a civic service at Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, given by the Rev Canon Dr James Theodosius, and was followed by the planting of a tree carried out by the Mayor, Cllr Rick Judge, who left shortly afterwards to go on holiday.

Tables lined the street for party-goers to sit and eat food and drink, on sale from stalls in the High Street.

Musician Steve Miller also made an appearance, on a whistle-stop tour of the North West.

Steve recreated the moment 20 years ago when Queen guitarist Brian May played God Save the Queen on the roof of Buckingham Palace. Steve, who plays with Queen tribute band, QueenEsque was attempting to perform God Save the Queen on as many roof tops and stages within 12 hours to raise money for Comic Relief.

There was also a giant screen in the town hall, live-screening celebration events taking place in London - just like in 1953 when the then local authority had televisions in the concert hall, with one connected up to a large screen, for the over 65s to watch the live coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

In Carleton, continuing tradition started with the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria, villagers erected a Jubilee Arch as part of its celebrations. A great turnout for the lighting of the beacon, the community ‘big breakfast’ and the gala and party. The weekend was rounded off with a picnic in the park and the traditional village photograph.

Members of the farming community, cave and mountain rescue as well as search and rescue dog association volunteers gathered at The Station Inn, at Ribblehead, for a complimentary Jubilee Breakfast.

It was also an excellent opportunity to bring together users of the inn in the remote community. With some 100 attendees the moment was captured in a photograph.

In Bolton by Bowland, festivities began with a big crowd blocking the roads in the village centre before Rev Mark Williams crowned Emily Johnson, 8, as queen for the day. At least 250 parishioners enjoyed a hog roast and the grand finale was a fabulous firework display.

In Burnsall the events started on Friday with a packed village hall for the parish tea.

Alan Stockdale welcomed people from Hartlington, Thorpe and Burnsall, Mike Fitton led a fun jubilee quiz and a hearty sing-a-long was fronted by Penny Hart-Woods.

Elsewhere, celebratory events laid on included at a packed village hall in Gargrave and for the whole of the weekend in Ingleton with Ingleborough’s summit emulating the many beacons around the district specially lit for the occasion.

Ingleton also had a beacon on the field which was lit by Beryl Morphet and Beryl Brown. Poignantly, both ladies had lit the beacon at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Hellifield also unveiled a commemorative bench to mark the historic event while villagers across Craven enjoyed picnics, fun and games and children’s fancy dress.

Churches across the district laid on special services which were well attended.