Fatima Shah has big ideas for her community.

She wants to bring together residents of all cultures, especially women, to organise a range of much-needed activities.

She has already recruited 11 other Stockbridge residents to form the area's first community association.

And she hopes their efforts will culminate in the building of a new community centre to cater for residents of the neighbourhood's 400-plus houses.

Fatima has a long wish-list of improvements tailored to a neighbourhood hemmed in by busy roads, a river and industrial land.

She will let residents know more and recruit new volunteers during an Asian-style bazaar hosted by the association next Thursday.

As a mother-of-two living in Surrey Street, Fatima knows the feeling of isolation caused by living in the terrace streets near Victoria Park.

There are community buildings only half a mile away in Riddlesden and Lawkholme, but many women dare not cross Bradford Road or the Aire Valley trunk road with young children.

Fatima therefore sees a new community centre -- possibly on land next to the play area at the foot of Prior, Surrey and Rylstone Streets -- as vital in developing a community spirit.

She has already scoured the area for a suitable building and discovered only industrial buildings that are either full, unsafe or too expensive.

Possible activities at a new centre include Christmas and Eid parties for the whole community, exercise and sewing classes, computer training or self-defence courses for girls, and visits by advice workers.

Fatima wants women in Stockbridge to become as active as those in other areas of central Keighley, such Lawkholme.

"My main aim is to let women know that what they want to do, they can do," she says. "I would like them to stand on their own two feet. I hope they will feel comfortable coming to me. They know I understand their feelings and views."

Fatima says Stockbridge Comm-unity Association will be for every resident: she is focussing on women first because that is where there is most need. "My aim is to bring all the communities together," she says. "Living in this country we should be together."

Stockbridge Community Association was officially set up in June after Fatima had spent several weeks knocking on doors to ask fellow residents what they felt was needed.

The first event organised by the association is a Meena Bazaar to be held at Victoria Park on Thursday, from 11am-5.30pm. The event, open only to women and children, will offer stage entertainment, stalls and food.

Naat - recitals of religious poetry - will be given by youngsters including Samia Shafiq, Humaira Kamal, Tausiq Shirazi and Sonia Kauser.

During the bazaar Fatima will take details of any children interested in drama activities planned for Keighley Arts Factory.

Fatima wants local groups to have stalls at the bazaar to promote their work or activities, and stresses it the event is aimed at all cultures.

She can be contacted on 01535 608917.