Volunteers at an outdoor activity centre have expressed their gratitude to local companies which responded to their latest appeal.

Staff at the Ponden outdoor pursuits centre at Stanbury appealed to the public recently for donations when the centre was faced with the threat of closure.

Thanks to donations from local businesses, the centre is now in far better shape.

The centre has received a full roll of carpet from Carpet Trade Supplies in Bradford, 45 litres of paint from Shipley Paints and two storage heaters from Josrivlin.

The centre, next to Ponden Reservoir, was opened 15 years ago to provide community groups, young offenders and under-privileged children with a holiday in the great outdoors.

Cath Harney, who is a member of the centre management team, says the donations will help maintain the centre's affordable rates. She says: "We try to keep the fees as low as possible because if we set the fees at a much higher rate we would be inaccessible to those we serve.

"The donations will help us to keep the costs low."

The centre has planned a special Raku pottery event on Sunday, September 13, to raise more funds.

The technique involves using a special kiln which bakes the clay in a fraction of the time taken by a conventional kilns. People turning up at the event will be able to glaze and fire their own pots, which will provide a memento of the day.

The event will take place at Mistal, Slack Lane Farm, Oakworth, starting at 1pm. Tickets cost £5, which includes the cost of the pot.

Anyone who would like more information about the centre or tickets for the special pottery event can contact Cath on 01274 822333.

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