THE SUPPORT group for Keighley Tarn is continuing its campaign to attract new members to secure its future.

Members of the Friends of Keighley (Redcar) Tarn voted at their annual general meeting last week to hold a further recruitment meeting.

There are urging anyone interested in the future of the local beauty spot to go along to Central Hall, Alice Street, next Thursday (May 18) at 7pm.

Existing members were heartened by the number of people who attended the AGM, which was publicised as a last-ditch attempt to save the group after membership dwindled.

The meeting also saw a formal ‘thank you’ given to existing members by Keighley’s BANDAG, the Braithwaite and North Dean Action Group.

BANDAG chairman June Forsyth praised the members’ commitment and everything they had done to maintain the tarn, and presented flowers to Friends chairman Dorothy Tennant.

Mrs Tennant this week said it was nice to receive the accolade from BANDAG, whose members campaign on issues such as protecting footpaths and stopping greenbelt development.

Mrs Tennant said: “It was a very well attended meeting and we’ll have a follow-up meeting now that we know the group is not going to fold.”

She said that in its six-year existence the friends had raised money for various improvements to the tarn and its surroundings.

Friends planting days had led to wild flowers growing around the tarn, and Phragmitees beginning to spread and give cover to wildlife.

The group also bought extra picnic tables, new rubbish bins, and a noticeboard.