BRACKEN Bank residents swung into spring with lambs, ferrets and the Great Gordino.

A fun day entitled Swing Into Spring was held for the second year running at the estate’s Sue Belcher Centre.

Organisers, supported by community development worker Pip Gibson, wanted to build on the success of the first event in spring 2017.

As well as live animals and magician Gordino, this year’s fun-filled attractions included fire pits, bouncy castles, ferret racing and street food including the “famous” Bracken Balti.

The event, which attracted 300 people this month, was the first big family day of 2018 at the busy community centre, and was hosted by the centre’s own Friday Project.

The event was supported by a host of organisations and community groups such as Incommunities, Keighley Urban Meadows, The Big Swing, Bradford Council’s Youth Service, One in a Million, Children’s Centre and Bradford Libraries.

Bracken Bank and District Community Association, who run the Sue Belcher Centre, worked on Swing Into Spring with Pip Gibson, whose work in Keighley West ward is funded by Keighley Town Council.

She said: “We wanted to put together a good mix of indoor and outdoor attractions with traditional stalls, arts, crafts, face painting, tombola and raffles.

“We also wanted to have special features like the Steve Thorpe window box workshop and our real-life magician The Great Gordino and his walk-round magic show.

“It was good to see so many people come out in spite of the weather – there was a real sense of community, everyone had a great time and we managed to raise some much-needed funds to support the Friday Project.”

The Project offers open access to a broad range of social and recreational activities, with a free lunch every Friday between 10am and 2pm.

Pip added: “Swing Into Spring event also offered opportunities for local people to have their say on important issues in their neighbourhood such as the Oakbank skate park, and the refurbishment of their community centre.

“Incommunities, who sponsored the event, gave advice and support on employment opportunities for job seekers via their Community Resilience team. Local PCSO Tim Stobbart also attended.”