A COMMUNITY group which has spent more than three decades celebrating and representing Italian culture in Keighley is calling it a day.

Italian Associazione di Keighley (Italian Association of Keighley) has been active for 33 years but its senior committee members say they are now too elderly to continue, without the help of a younger generation.

Leonardo Ferrara 75, who was acting president of the group, said the group had ceased its activities last month.

He added: “It has been a positive experience and we are content with what we have achieved.

"This has included uniting our community, helping those in need, and donating to several charities. The most recent good cause includes a donation of £1,500 to The Italian Red Cross for the earthquake appeal.”

For 20 years the association operated as part of the Christian Association of Italian Workers, then carried on independently for another 13 years, signing up 230 members.

Its committee worked on planning, organising, co-ordinating and cooking for the Italian community of Keighley.

Members focused on bringing together the different generations and promoting Italian heritage alongside other local people, including Keighley residents of English, Ukrainian, Polish, Bangladeshi and Indian descent.

Among the festivities celebrated by the association has been La Befana – The Witch of Christmas – otherwise known as the Epiphany, a popular Italian religious feast with gifts distributed to all the members' children.

An association spokesman added: "Our other events have included a New Year’s Eve annual showcase of traditional acts and music from Italy, along with a home made three-course dinner and wine followed by dancing.

"From 2008 to 2011 the Italian community of Keighley sent donations of up to £5,000 to the Italian Mission in Bradford.

"In 2014 Sue Ryder Manorlands received £2,000 in donations, with other smaller deposits aiding a local woman who had to travel to America for a special operation, and to help the disabled during Holy Family Catholic School's pilgrimages to Lourdes.

"In 2009 to 2010 the association was awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery. We hosted four free-of-charge events, including a New Year’s Eve party, a St Joseph’s Saints celebration party, a multicultural event with other local communities involving their own cuisine, and an autumn wine and food festival.

"The Italian community also launched a monthly gathering ten years ago at Keighley Health Living to help the elderly, which features hot dinners, board games, exercise and wellbeing.

"This takes place on the last Wednesday of the month. Due to a donation of £1,081 from Italian Association of Keighley, this will continue and will not be affected by the committee’s decision to stop everything else."

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