A RECORD number of guests attended a party for the over 90s on Saturday at the Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley.

The party, which was first held in 1994, is unique in that it is the only event in the Bradford district dedicated to residents aged 90 and over.

Free entertainment and afternoon tea was served up to 121 guests from Addingham, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley and Menston. They were well looked after by volunteers from many local community groups and young people from Ilkley Grammar School and Wharfedale Air Cadets.

Many of the guests are now in care homes so the party is one of the few opportunities in the year for them to meet up with people they first met many years ago.

The Queen was represented by David Pearson, Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire and other honoured guests were Bradford's deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Abid Hussein, chairman of Ilkley Parish Council, Councillor Brian Mann, and Baroness Lockwood, who has been Honorary President of Ilkley Good Neighbours for many years. They all enjoyed mingling with the guests and Cllr Hussein was particularly impressed when he was greeted and engaged in conversation, in fluent Urdu, by a party goer.

The guests were welcomed with a medley of 40s tuned played by pianist Myra Johnson and, following afternoon tea, the event finished with community singing led by Shirley Britton and Michael Loftus. The party was compered by Isabel Hogan, Ilkley Town crier, who looked very striking in her ceremonial uniform.

Volunteers and funding came from many local groups including Ilkley & District Good Neighbours, Community Transport, Ilkley & District Round Table, Olicana Masonic Lodge, Christchurch Dolphins & Eagles, Bradford Council Community Chest, The Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley Flower Club, Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale, Ilkley Rotary Club, Creative Support, and Christopher Binns Funeral Directors.