STEEPLEJACK and TV personality Fred Dibnah raised spirits sky high as he opened Barnoldswick Gala and reacquianted himself with the town where his handywork is clear to see.

Thousands of visitors to the gala field at Victory Park had their eyes to the skies most of Saturday afternoon, watching threatening clouds and a series of daredevil acts.

Fred, who worked on repairing the chimney at Bancroft Mill, Barnoldswick, admitted he spent longer on the job than anticipated because he was approached by the BBC to star in a TV series halfway through the project.

"I apologise for the time it took me at Bancroft," he told the crowds who turned out to enjoy four hours of fun and games, despite the grey weather and drizzle.

He also owned up to a catastrophic visit to Pendle some years ago when he was double-booked to appear with his traction engine at Barrowford Show and another venue and ended up sending a lookalike to the second show to take his place on the steam engine with strict instructions not to stop and allow people a closer look. Fred entertained the gala visitors for more than ten minutes with his reminiscences before declaring the show open and crowning gala princess Stefanie Waddington, 11, daughter of Ian and Deborah Waddington, of Earby.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice and the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Edwina Sargeant, were among the chief guests.

Dale Frankland, chairman of Barnoldswick and Earby Round Table which organises the gala, pointed to the grey skies and admitted "Someone isn't smiling on me. I apologise for the weather."

The drizzle did not deter local people from enjoying the biggest day of the year for the town and Dale recognised their loyalty. "Without your support there wouldn't be any point in the gala. Go out and spend your money and hopefully we will make a few quid for local charities."

Local groups use the event as one of their main chances to swell their coffers.

Main attractions included a miniature railway, motorcross obstacle course, a fun fair, a display of birds by Northumbria Falconry, a flower show and art exhibition, bonny baby contest, a climbing wall, and a rugby display by West Craven Warriors RL Club.

There was a five-a-side soccer competition for local pubs, clubs, schools and businesses, majorettes and the usual wide variety of stalls and games, all aimed at relieving visitors of a few pounds. To herald the start of gala day the traditional parade threaded its way from the Fosters Arms pub through the town centre to the gala field.

Results from the gala flower show were:

Gladioli: 1, and 3, D Clamp. Chrysanthemums: 1, A Murphy; 2, H Carr. Pompom dahlias: 1 and 2, D Clamp; 3, A Greenwood.

Miniature dahlias: 1, D Clamp; 2, A Greenwood.

Medium cactus dahlias: 1, D Clamp; 2, A Greenwood.

Three distinct dahlias: 1, A Greenwood; 2, D Clamp.

Specimen bloom dahlia: 1 and 3, D Clamp; 2, A Greenwood. Small decorative dahlias: 1 and 2, A Greenwood.

Small cactus dahlias: 1, A Greenwood.

Medium decorative dahlias: 1, A Greenwood; 2, D Clamp.

Pansies or violas: 1, E Borman; 2 and 3, P King. Fuschia heads: 1 and 2, P King; 3, S Norcross.

French marigolds: 1, S Norcross.

Nine spikes sweet peas: 1, P King; 2 and 3, A Greenwood. 12 stems sweet peas: 1, P King; 2, D Clamp; 3, A Greenwood. Roses: 1, H Carr; 2, E Borman. Annuals: 1, A Greenwood; 2, P King.

Herbaceous perennial: 1, J Shaun; 2, E Borman; 3, A Greenwood.

Carnations: 1 and 2, A Murphy. Three stems self: 1, A Greenwood. Three stems bi-colour: 1 and 2, A Greenwood. Three stems fancy: 1, A Greenwood. Three stems laced: 1 and 2, A Greenwood. Five stems any: 1, A Greenwood. Three stems single: 1, P King; 2, A Greenwood.

Begonia: 1, A Greenwood; 2, P King.

Foliage plant: 1, J Shaw; 2, E Borman.

Coleus: 1, A Greenwood.

Fuschia plant: 1, A Greenwood; 2, P King.

Geranium or pelargonium: 1, E Borman; 2, A Greenwood.

Flowering pot plant: 1, A Greenwood; 2, P King.

One bonsai: 1, P King; 2, E Borman.

Annual flowering pot plant: 1, S Norcross; 2, P King.

Specimen pot plant: 1 and 2, J Shaw. Three bonsai: 1, J Shaw; 2, E Borman. Mixed cut flowers: 1 and 2, J Shaw. Gent's buttonhole or lady's spray: 1, R Holmes; 2, A Murphy.

Beetroot: 1, D Wynn; 2, D Stead. Onions: 1 and 2, F Stansfield; 3, D Wynn. Potatoes: 1, D Wynn; 2, H Carr.

Tomatoes: 1 and 2, C Summerskill. Cucumber: 1 E Borman; 2, D Stead. Six pods beans: 1, C Summerskill; 2 and 3, D Wynn.

Six pods peas: 1, E Borman; 2, C Summerskill.

Cauliflower: 1, H Carr. Cabbage: 1, D Stead; 2, V Smith.

Lettuce: 1, D Wynn.

Turnips: 1 and 2, D Stead. Carrots: 1, C Summerskill; 2, J Brecon.

Dish of fruit: 1, V Smith.

Any other veg: 1, C Summerskill; 2, A Cadman; 3, D Stead.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.