Malcolm Silkstone, a dedicated 80-year-old volunteer from Bailiff Bridge, exemplifies this spirit of service, having devoted over 45 years to his community.
Malcolm’s journey began in 1979 when he and other parents decided to found the first PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) at the junior and infant school on Victoria Road in Bailiff Bridge to help the school raise funds.
His contributions were widely recognised, leading to his appointment as a school governor in 1981, a position he held for an impressive 38 years.
However, it wasn’t until January 1986 that Malcolm discovered his true passion: the establishment of a community centre for his village.
This decision was the beginning of a 25-year journey filled with challenges and triumphs.
The Bailiff Bridge Community Association emerged from the recognition that there was a pressing need for a multipurpose community space, as the only suitable venue, the infant school hall, was frequently booked.
The association’s first-ever meeting took place in Malcolm’s own kitchen, where it was decided to hold a public meeting to vote on the proposal.
Over 100 residents, along with representatives from the Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (CMBC) and various groups, attended and endorsed the plan and the association began the task of fundraising.
In the following years, Malcolm and his committee organised numerous events such as car washes, coffee mornings, barbecues, and family fun days, often held in members’ homes and gardens.
Their efforts caught the attention of Firth’s Carpets, a local business at Bailiff Bridge’s Clifton and Victoria Mills (now demolished).
The company recognised the association’s dedication, and offered the use of St Aidan’s Mission Hall, a grade two listed building, along with a generous monetary donation.
The association began distributing a newsletter to keep residents updated, hand-delivered by volunteers to over 1,200 homes.
Thanks to their relentless fundraising, Prince Charles (now King) played a charity polo match in Windsor in 1989, on behalf of St Aidan’s Mission and the Bailiff Bridge Community Association.
Over 100 locals attended, and the association received a £30,000 donation from the Prince — a significant amount at the time.
Despite this success, the association faced a major setback when planning permission for St Aidan’s Mission was rejected due to inadequate parking.
This rejection led to disappointment and several resignations, including Malcolm’s.
However, the remaining members continued to pursue their dream of a community centre.
Malcolm rejoined the association in 1999 with a renewed determination along with his son, Robert.
Things began to look hopeful when a local councillor proposed relocating the Bailiff Bridge library to a new community building at the school.
Unfortunately, legal issues concerning land ownership meant this plan couldn’t go ahead.
With over £130,000 raised but no community building, there was talk of dissolving the association.
Nevertheless, the group persevered and revisited the idea of using St Aidan’s Mission, but a lack of support and interest from the property developer ended all possibilities.
The community faced further challenges when the sale of Firth’s Carpets to an American company in 1998 led to the closure of the mills and significant job losses.
However, after negotiations with new property owner Derek Pearson, it was agreed that a community building could be constructed alongside new housing developments that were to be built on the old Victoria Mill’s site.
The shell of the building, grounds, and car park were donated, turning the community’s long-standing dream into reality.
Construction of the new community centre began in 2007, and it finally opened its doors in 2010, 25 years after Malcolm and the association set out on its mission.
While working on the community centre, Malcolm and his team embarked on another mission in 2003: the restoration of the village’s memorial park gardens.
The park, once a target for antisocial behaviour and theft, required substantial repairs. A joint working group of council members, residents, local businesses, and the Royal British Legion was formed to restore the park.
Local businesses donated materials, and the probation service provided labour, teaching new skills like joinery and horticulture.
The park earned a Green Flag Award in 2004, recognising excellence in recreational outdoor space management.
By 2008, the memorial park gardens had been fully restored, serving as a commemorative site for World War One victims and a vibrant community space.
In 2019, 1,500 people attended the remembrance service in Bailiff Bridge, raising over £12,000 for the Royal British Legion.
To mark the centenary of WWI, Malcolm and his team introduced the Centenary Gardens, a space resembling a 1914 Edwardian street scene, honouring the 62 fallen mill workers from Bailiff Bridge who sadly lost their lives in the war.
Recently, Malcolm has collaborated with property developers Axminster Court on a project to replicate a piece of village history: a drinking fountain originally installed at the crossroads in 1911 by Firth’s Carpets which was removed in 1962 due to road safety.
Mr Silkstone’s 45-year commitment to his community is a testament to the power of volunteering, demonstrating the profound impact of selflessly dedicating time and effort for the betterment of others.
His contributions have been widely acknowledged, earning him numerous personal achievements, including the Citizenship Award and the Civic Trust’s Award for Excellence.
However, Malcolm’s motivation for positive change is not driven by these, but by the belief that everyone deserves a brighter future and a great pride in where he lives.
From everyone at VSI Alliance: Congratulations Malcolm on an amazing 45 years of volunteering, and thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.