CHRISTMAS came to a Silsden community centre a little late – but nobody was complaining.

The Hive in Elliott Street hosted a free community café with three servings of seasonal fare at lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

The Christmas food was donated by Aldi, which has a supermarket in the town, with additional donations from Keelham Farm Shop, the Co-op and Asda.

The event, organised by Silsden CIC which runs The Hive, attracted newcomers as well as regular users of the building.

CIC director Jill Cook said she wanted to thank the companies that provided food without charge, as well as the volunteers that organised the event and prepared the food.

She said: “It was a great success and despite everything being ‘free’, which included clothes and other items given to us by Aldi, people still wanted to donate.

“We made of £165, which went towards the cost for building much-needed additional storage.

“We met new people who had not been to The Hive before, including a lovely lady in her 80s who bravely came on her own and spent a good couple of hours with us.”

The Hive will host a community café every Friday from 1pm to 3pm during term-time, open to anyone from Silsden and surrounding areas.

Jill added: “We will have a small play area for under-fives available but essentially it is in the hope that people will come down for a brew, a natter and to make new friends.

“The menu will consist of tea, coffee, juice, toast, cake and buns, which we are charging no more than £1 per item, with some costing less.”

Email info@thehivesilsden.co.uk or call 07794 366439 on weekdays for further information.