MORE THAN 100 people have volunteered their time to help run events and activities in Bracken Bank as part of a community involvement project.

The activities, spearheaded by community development worker Pip Gibson, have involved at least 800 people with more than 500 attending just one of the events.

A Halloween pumpkin fest last autumn, one of several events centred on the Sue Belcher Centre in Bracken Bank Avenue, attracted the most people.

The future of the project hangs in the balance because Pip’s post is being axed by Bradford Council at the end of this month as part of multi-million-pound public spending cuts.

The council’s Keighley Area Committee were this month given an update on the project, which is overseen by Bracken Bank and District Community Association, Pip’s employer.

A report presented to committee members stated: “The aim was to develop inspiring projects, groups and events that motivated people to become more involved in the place they live and their local community centre.

“Residents, community groups, service providers and local businesses came together to support the development of services and activities that addressed local needs.”

New activities included the Lil Buddies toddler group which runs from 9.15am to 11:40am at the Sue Belcher Centre, rugby training sessions, Funday Monday drop-in, a work club, litter pick, fundraising activities, and the repainting of the Sue Belcher Centre.

The community association also managed to recruit new trustees and update its computer equipment.

Cash for the various activities came from a range of sources including Incommunities, Liberty Group, Keighley Town Council and the National Citizens Service.

Pip Gibson is one of three community workers currently funded by Bradford Council to support community groups and centres across Keighley.

The council has cut funding for the posts from April 1 this year, but Keighley Town Council recently announced a £100,000 fund – available to community groups –to bankroll similar work.