Yet again, this year's Gala was a major success! Each year the Gala seems to grow busier, and 2026 was no exception, with more attendees than ever before.

We were blessed with beautiful weather from the start of the day, allowing our community stallholders to set up their wonderful exhibits ready to welcome visitors.

The firefighters delivered an exceptional demonstration of their life-saving skills and even invited volunteers from the audience to play the role of "casualties". Visitors watched as the team cut them free from vehicles brought specially for the display. Their demonstrations always attract a crowd!

Wherever you looked, there was something to entertain our guests. The main stage and arena featured a jam-packed line-up of singers, dance groups and performances from the Ackworth Strummers. Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, visitors gathered around the ever-popular ferret racing. There were bouncy castles galore, along with a host of other free activities for families to enjoy. You couldn't even wander around the stalls without being amazed by the circus magician and the stilt walkers.

Not a soul went hungry on the day. For those who didn't bring a picnic, a variety of delicious food vendors were on hand, serving tasty pizzas, burgers and loaded fries courtesy of The Pizza Box Co and The Grub Club. Anyone looking to cool down could enjoy a sweet treat from Yorkshire Traditional, who attended with three ice cream vans to help keep queues to a minimum.

The Ackworth Gala continues to be a wonderful celebration of our village community, bringing together local organisations, businesses and residents for a day filled with entertainment, food and fun. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored and supported the event – we look forward to seeing you again next year!

What a scorcher!! Last year's Gala was the busiest we’ve seen in years. It was wonderful to see families enjoying the array of activities on offer in the glorious sunshine!

Our community stalls were a huge hit with both residents and visitors; offering a tombola and tuckshops that raised valuable funds for local charities and groups. Thanks to this fantastic support, these organisations can continue their important work within the village. The stage and event arena was filled with amazing local talent, kicked off by Joe O’Brien who got the party started. Dance Fusion sent shockwaves through the field with their unbelievable dance routines - they put on an outstanding performance, even with the sun blazing down on them! Our other local talents - Micky Johnson and Molly Rymer kept the audience entertained throughout the rest of the afternoon. The firefighters' display was a must-see! Their stand offered life-saving advice on the importance of water safety. People were drawn in by the cold water shock pool, eager to learn more about the dangers of water and how to stay safe. Sunshine encouraged people to bring their own picnics but no-one went hungry with the The Pizza Box Co and The Grub Club supplying quality home cooked food! The heat also kept the three ice cream vans from Yorkshire Traditional busy all day, with a steady queue of happy customers enjoying a cool treat. 2025 welcomed some new additions to the Gala - Yorkshire Rose Coaches had an impressive display with one of their coaches on site as well as Stoneacre Cars who kindly donated bottled water and Haribo for the event. From a huge display of bouncy castles to climbing walls, there was no shortage of free fun to keep the kids entertained. Stilt walkers towered above the crowds, and a unicycle juggler wowed onlookers. The ‘Have-a-go’ circus area was a huge hit with families - teaching them new skills. As always, ferret racing with ‘Tiny Tim’ stole the show, attracting masses of curious onlookers!

Ackworth Parish Council would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the groups, organisations, and residents who contributed to making the occasion so special.