RESIDENTS in Silkstone Common have been tasked with helping save the Methodist Chapel - and they’re hoping others are going to help.

In recent years, the congregation at the chapel has been dwindling and as a result the running of the church became untenable.

Subsequently, the team at the church have issued a challenge to locals to use and develop the building into a thriving community hub.

Over the last few weeks and months a team of residents have embraced that challenge and have started to develop exciting plans which will be aimed at all sections of the community.

Susan Dunwell, a member of that team, told the Chronicle: “The vision is to nurture a vibrant, caring and supportive community in Silkstone Common and the surrounding area, by transforming the building into a thriving community hub where community spirit can flourish and lives can be enriched through companionship, care and shared purpose.

“The building itself was originally created through the partnership of the Methodist church and the local community and now there is an opportunity to revive that same spirit of collaboration for a new generation.

“There has already been one event, an autumnal wreath workshop, and it was a huge success.

“By the end of two workshops 30 beautiful wreaths had been created and proudly carried home, each one unique and truly brilliant.

“It was wonderful to see a room full of people laughing, chatting, and helping one another, exactly what a community hub should be.”

A whole host of events have already been scheduled, including an evening with Liz Whitehouse - a specialist in researching family history - on November 14.