Shelf Gala 2019
This was the 60th Shelf Gala and in the printed programme there were two pages, one “Shelf Civic Society’s first gala” where the gala was opened by Mrs F. W. Pohlmann, wife of the chairman of Queensbury and Shelf Urban District Council, spoke of the importance of maintaining and fostering the community life of Shelf. This, indeed, was the main object of the gala. To this day, 60 years later this is still the object of Shelf Gala. The other was a report on the second annual Shelf Gala and both can be found the web site: www.shelfgala.org.uk/history.html

To the day, at 7.00am, there was slight drizzle but by mid morning the sun had come out and stayed there all day giving us a chance of a very successful gala.

The day started at 7.00am assembling the gala field, stalls arriving, fairground, toilets, stage and by 11.30am was about ready to commence the proceedings when the gates opened for business. The procession started at Bethel Chapel with around 12 floats, some vehicles, some walking and arrived at Shelf Hall Park in the arena at around 12.45pm. The float judging was by the Mayor of Calderdale Dot Foster and her Consort Mr Mick Foster. The winners were 1st Brownies and Raindows, 2nd Shelf J&I School and 3rd St Michael's School. Painting competition there were three winners, Daisy Scardfield from Shelf J&I, Annabel Whelan from 65th Shelf Scouts and Findlay Elkin from Shelf J&I.

Prizes were presented by the Mayor of Calderdale Dot Foster and the Shelf Gala Ambassador Miss Grace Simpson and her attendant Charlotte.

On the gala field there was all the fun of the fair, tea tent, beer tent, food stalls, numerous stall selling various items, distributing leaflets, tombola, games, plants, RLNI, British Legion in fact everything you could possibly want at a gala. Also on the gala field we had children’s entertainment in the form of Brian Llewellyn Punch and Judy Show, all the way from Darlington drawing big crowds of children (and their parents) to his shows. Marilyn his wife also did face painting. There was also a miniature steam train, army display and a five-a-side competition organised by Shelf Juniors AFC involving two team from Salterlee School, two teams from Shelf J&I and two teams from St Michaels. The final was between Salterlee A and Shelf J&I B, the winners being Shelf J&I.

In the arena there were some fantastic entertainment starting with on stage a fantastic rock ’n’ roll trio from Bradford, Memphis Cruisers. In the arena there was Jack Carthy Trial Cyclist Show from Haworth, Stardom Performing Arts and Magpie Movers from Halifax and Dance Stars from Bradford with our announcer Mr Pete Brearley. A great afternoon of entertainment.

A big thank you once again to our sponsors: National Breakdown, Kip McGrath, Interface, Halifax VW, Shibden Head Day Nursery, Blackshaw Holdings and supported by Witt & Sons, Biffa and Colletts. A big thank you to all the advertisers in our programme who support us year after year. I would also like to thank the gala committee – without these people the gala would not exist, to all the people who have helped us in any way to set up this gala and clear it all away for another year and leave Shelf Hall Park as though no one had been there in the afternoon and finally to all you people who come through the gates and support us year after year because without you people there would be no use in having a gala.

Have a look at the pictures in the gallery– Photographs - courtesy of Andrew Walker.