A ‘Q’ SOON formed for the first activity at Stockbridge’s new community centre.

The Q Cafe opened recently at Riddlesden Cricket Club’s clubhouse on the banks of the River Aire.

Residents from across Stockbridge attended their first seven open ‘community sessions’ organised as part of Keighley Big Local’s Learning Together programme.

Ward councillors Malcolm Slater and June Whitfield also went along to the sessions, which are held on Wednesdays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

The Q Café opened after the cricket club offered use of its recently-refurbished clubhouse, and the nearby Co-op on Bradford Road offered free refreshments. Support also comes from Community Action Bradford and District.

Shaun O’Hare, coordinator with regeneration group Keighley Big Local, said: “Residents were able to quiz councillors, socialise and take part in skills-sharing workshops on The 7 Most Useful Knots and How to Stop Worrying.

Local volunteer Eric Yaffey, who leads the sessions, successfully applied for support from Keighley Socialights, a partnership between UNLTD and Keighley Big Local to support new and emerging social enterprises.

Mr O’Hare said: “Eric received £500, business mentoring and training. He will use the award to continue to develop the concept of the skills-sharing social group.”

Eric said sessions were about trading skills, knowledge and stories, adding: “We all have something to trade. If you’re surviving, physically, emotionally, socially or culturally, then you have something. We learn from each other.”

The Q Cafe will resume at Riddlesden Cricket Club, Grange Road, in January on Wednesdays 12.30pm-2.30pm. Call Eric on 07377 068713 for further information.

The Q Café was the first activity two be set up at the cricket club’s clubhouse after it offered its premises to any group that needed on the meeting place.

Mr O’Hare said the initiative showed how much could be achieved by residents working together for the common good.

Although in its infancy, the project has already received praise from the national Big Local funding body and could be replicated around the country.

The cricket club’s offer came because its chairman Greg Ellis it’s also is also a member of the Keighley Big Local Partnership.

Big Local, which is run by local residents, is spending more than £1 million of lottery money in the ‘Keighley Valley’ area, running from Riddlesden to Ingrow alongside the River Worth.

Mr O’Hare added: “Stockbridge was lacking a community centre, the space which gives opportunities for the community to meet, get active, learn new skills and volunteer.

“Without a dedicated space there is less chance of developing community-led activities to meet local needs.”