ELDERLY residents of Skipton are celebrating the reopening of a much-loved Skipton facility.

For more than 50 years, the Swadford Centre has been a vital meeting point in the heart of Skipton for retired folk.

It offers a cup of tea, a meeting place and a social facility - not least a snooker table.

But the centre was forced to close before Christmas when caretaker Pat Bowdin fell ill.

Initially, efforts to secure a successor proved fruitless but now new caretaker Ann Park is in place after hearing about the position from a friend who used to play whist at the centre.

The centre reopened to an enthusiastic response from locals and with six new volunteers and an extended canteen menu.

"We were busy the first day," said Ann. "People were so happy we were back. Our volunteers are brilliant, we've even got a 19-year-old who adds a bit of youth to the place!"

Visitors to the centre come to have a heated game of snooker or cards or maybe just a quiet cup of tea with friends.

Regular customer John Saxby expressed his delight at the re-opening. "We've got somewhere to go all day now. I especially like to take on my pals at snooker," he said.

Trustee Colin Mason said that the centre had been much missed and was extremely busy since its reopening but warned that help would be needed in future.

"We always need voluntary help and we urgently need people with professional experience to manage the trust," said Mr Mason. "If we could find a good retired accountant, lawyer or someone like that then we could be assured of carrying on but if we don't, well then it will wither and die."

The centre first opened in 1948 with funds raised from Skipton Flower Fund - donations given in lieu of flowers at local funerals - and was supported by Skipton Rotary Club.

Today it still relies on charitable donations and income from catering and room hire as there is no funding from the public purse.

The centre is open to any visitor over the age of 55 or accompanied by someone over 55. Rooms are also available for hire. For more information tel 01756 798179.

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