But the group has become a victim of its own success. It has outgrown its current base, which is rather cramped and struggles to accommodate its members on the one day a week it has access to premises at the Otley Courthouse arts centre.
With this in mind, the news that it has managed to obtain planning permission to demolish a nearby derelict café and build its own facility on the land is particularly welcome.
Not only will this help it cope with growing demand, but they will be able to use the space more than one day a week and rent it out to other organisations too.
“Our intention is not to turn anyone away at all,” chairman Stuart Gregory, 77, says.
“We never say to anyone, ‘I’m sorry we’re full’. So far, touch wood, we seem to have coped with the membership.
“Hopefully when we get our new accommodation that problem will go away completely.”
Given the difference this group is making to individual members and the wider community, it’s a move they are desperate to make.
With additional reporting from Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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