Three determined young women have set themselves the task of revitalising their neighbourhood.

Their challenge is not dissimilar to other schemes running in many places and at all levels in the distrcit. But their job is going to be that little bit harder due to the historical background of the Woodhouse and Spring Bank estate.

Other estates in Keighley have a background of strong family ties holding the community together. But the Woodhouse and Spring Bank estate is more disjointed and has more than the normal level of apathy.

The community centre closed many months ago in the wake of issues about rowdy teenagers and numerous complaints from pensioners. Now the centre has been refurbished, renamed and aims to reach out to the wider community.

Led by a development worker, a new management committee has been formed - with the three woman at the forefront of running the centre.

You only have to read and digest their comments to realise the level of the committee's determination. The blunt speaking trio say they are strong enough to get the centre up and going and appeal to others to come out of the 'woodwork' and help.

Committee chairman Amanda Nockels stresses the success of this venture depends on more residents getting involved. Everyone wants things to start running but she says people won't help out. It is a question of faith and belief in success.

The team has thrown down the gauntlet. All they need now is for others to pick it up and give one of the most precious gifts of all - time. What a wonderful New Year resolution for residents - a pledge to help the new group and ensure a bright future for the centre.

Surely that would restore faith on the estate.

Dear Reader,

The festive season is upon us, and once again we are preparing our Christmas and New Year issues.

I thought I would take this opportunity of confirming we will be publishing as normal over the next couple of weeks, and once again we will be printing in the tabloid format.

It has become something of a tradition since I came here to print in the tabloid size. It makes it easier for us to carry all of the television and entertainments listings and some of the advertisements.

Details of our opening and closing times and deadlines for advertising are in this issue and will be repeated next week.

We also have a special last-minute Christmas Gift offer - a subscription to the Keighley News.

We have agreed that if you sign up for a six-month long subscription the cost of the newspaper and postage will be just £1 a week. One of the reasons for this is linked to the success of our website.

As more and more people read the news over the Internet, we are getting an increasing number of requests for hard copies of the newspaper.

For example I had an e-mail from someone who is moving to the area in the next few months.

They wanted the Keighley News to help their search for a suitable property, choice of schools and possibly a part-time job.

Others had seen our reportage of the floods via the website and had ordered copies of the paper to keep for posterity.

If you are interested in the subscription offer then please call in at our offices or use the website subscription button to leave your details.