Putting the record straight over Silsden Park pavilion

Putting the record straight over Silsden Park pavilion

I READ the letter published in the Keighley News – and also on the local social media site Silsden Buzz – concerning the restoration of the Silsden Park pavilion, written by Wendy Neville, chair of the Keighley and Ilkley Labour Party Craven branch.

I do not know where this lady got her information from, but for the most part,the contents are totally inaccurate. I am replying to her letter to put the record straight and to report the facts, not fiction.

In September last year, a Silsden Pavilion Working Group was formed to examine the possibility of refurbishing the existing pavilion in Silsden Park, built in 1935. Unfortunately, the pavilion has now become very dilapidated and unfit for use by the community.

Attempts have been made over the past years by several groups to get the building back into use, without any measurable success.

However, the autonomous Silsden Pavilion Community Group has made substantial progress. This group is not part of Silsden Town Council.

Bradford Council, which is currently responsible for the maintenance of the building, has agreed to apportion some Section 106 monies, £210,000 to be precise, for the refurbishment of the building. Bradford Council will have to carry out the works using one of its framework contractors, as part of the agreement.

These S106 monies have to be spent by September 2025.

According to its estimates, the money will only cover the external shell of the building to be made safe, structurally stable, waterproof and secure.

Hopefully, this work will be completed by September next year.

Neither the Silsden Pavilion Working Group nor its successor the Silsden Pavilion Community Group, have any political affiliation whatsoever. We have members of several different political persuasions, but politics do not form any part of our agenda.

We have never received any offers from, or communications with, members of the Craven branch of the Keighley and Ilkley Labour Party.

The sole purpose of this restoration is to give the Silsden community a pavilion of which they can once more be proud, and a building suitable for the use by the entire community.

Further information can be seen on our website, silsdenpavilion.org.uk, which I urge you to visit for the greater picture.

Robert G Davis
For and on behalf of the Silsden Pavilion Community Group
Chair