THE FRIENDS of Silsden Town Hall have unveiled a packed autumn of events at the revitalised venue.

The volunteer-run group has organised a wide range of attractions to encourage greater use of the town centre building.

They include a pantomime, model railway exhibition, history presentations, tea dances, tabletop sales and a school project.

The town hall was refurbished in 2014 with more than £300,000 of Bradford Council cash, including improvements to the toilets and function rooms.

The Friends group was set up last year, with support from Craven ward councillor Andrew Mallinson, and is now promoting the centre with a glossy leaflet and a website.

Cllr Mallinson said: “There are some very interesting events – a whole range to attract people.

“They will look at the venue and hopefully book parties, weddings or their own events. The Friends also want to encourage groups to make regular bookings.”

Cllr Mallinson said the Friends, who include individuals and representatives from current user groups, are a good mix of people with different skills.

He added: “There’s a core group, which is dedicated to ensuring the town hall contributes to the growing strength of Silsden and be a focus for the town.”

The Friends were recently given £250 from Keighley Area Committee’s Community Chest to fund future promotional activities.

Cllr Mallinson said: “The more people we can attract, the more will stay and enjoy the shops, pubs and restaurants in Silsden.”

The autumn programme begins on September 21 at 2.15pm, with a slideshow, music and dialect to remember local character, Harold Kitchen.

Harold played piano for silent cinema then became a dance band leader and entertainer, along the way collecting photographs and memorabilia from Silsden.

There will be a tabletop sale and cafe on both October 4 and November 15, from 10am to noon. Tea dances will run on October 5 and November 2 at 1pm.

Konflux Theatre Company will work with children from Hothfield School on an anti-bullying project on October 7 and 14.

A family day on October 11 will feature model railways and aircraft from Keighley, Bricks4Kids and Mrs Beads.

Silsden Local History Group will host a coffee morning on November 7, from 9.30am to noon, to launch its new book entitled Silsden’s Story In The Great War, based on its 2014 exhibition.

Silsden Community Productions will present its first pantomime, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, on December 4 and 5.

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