The Gala

Buckden Gala is the major event of the Institute year and involves most of our community. Held on the Gala Field on the third Saturday in June, there is a wide range of activities including live music, stalls, dog show, children’s races, crafts, grand draw, bouncy castle, coconut shy, beer tent, hot dogs, ice cream and tea room as well as the Buckden Pike Fell Race and the Buckden Shhep Show.  It is a great day out in the dales, and importantly is the major source of income for the Institute. More information about the Gala is available on the Gala website.

Regular events

The Institute holds a number of regular events including a monthly coffee morning in the hall from September though until May. The coffee mornings are usually held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 10.30 - 12.30.  We also organise the village quiz which is usually held on 1st Sunday of the month in the Buck Inn.  The  Skittles evenings are always popular - these are held several times a year.  Rehearsals for Buckden Singers are also held in the hall every Thursday.

Theme Nights

Over the years a number of Theme nights have been held typically involving all or many of: themed food, dressing up, music, games, dancing, karaoke and general silliness. 

These theme nights have included: a Lancashire night, several Burns nights, a Wild West night, a Tapas night, a James Bond Casino night, an Italian Night, a French Night, a St Patrick's night, an Abba night  and many more.

The Duck Race

The Duck Race usually takes place in July in the River Wharfe, starting just upstream from Buckden bridge. The course is approximately 200m long. The nature of the race varies from year to year and is totally dependent on the water level and speed of the river on the day.  If the river is too full, then the race takes place on the river bank. Whatever the weather, the famous Buckden Gala hotdogs are served  and great fun is had by all.

Buckden Singers

Buckden Singers was formed in 2007 as a four part community choir for the upper dale and is based in the Institute where rehearsals are held on a Thurday every week. The choir puts on two main concerts per year - one in the summer and one at Christmas, and in recent years has also worked with Grassington Singers to put on a joint concert. The choir was featured in the popular ITV series The Dales, presented by Adrian Edmondson who joined the choir for one of their rehersals in the hall. More information about Buckden Singers is available on the Buckden Singers website.

Buckden Whist

A seasonal activity, running between late September and the following April, held fortnightly on Wednesday evenings in the Village Institute.  Doors open at 6.30 pm and playing commences at 7:00 pm, with a mid-evening break for refreshments.  

The emphasis is on ‘playing without pressure’ – the only rule is ‘No inquests’!  We hope the mental challenge goes hand in hand with a totally friendly atmosphere.  All are welcome and absolute beginners can be assured of a sympathetic reception.

Buckden Art Group

The Art Group was originally formed by a few local people who enjoyed painting, meeting  in the Schoolroom at Buckden. They were asked to exhibit their paintings at an event at Hubberholme Church and  have gone on from strength to strength.  Members now incude folk from nearby in the dale and some who travel quite a distance. They meet in the Village Institute on Monday evenings from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m., between Harvest and lambing time (September to March). New members are always welcome. Each year an exhibition is held in the hall at the end of August 

St Michael and all Angels, Hubberholme

The Action Group from Hubberholme church use the hall for some of their fundraiing events. These include talks from local speakers (with supper provided) as well as occasional craft workshops.

Meeting and Training Venue

The hall is the base for Buckden Parish Council who meet in the hall on the second Monday of every other month. It is also used as venue by a number of local groups including the National Trust, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Field Studies Centre, the Peat Partnership, the Yorkshire Dales River Trust and the Upper Wharfdale Bus company, both for meetings and as a training venue.

Ad-hoc bookings

The hall is used for a wide range of other activities including private parties, school groups and as the polling station for Buckden parish