A historic Old Folks’ Treat is under threat due to dwindling volunteers and shrinking donations.
The future of the annual Denby Dale and Cumberworth Senior Citizens Gathering is to be reviewed amid news that several committee members and collectors are due to retire.
The yearly get-together offers a free tea and entertainment for any OAPs in the district.
But numbers have fallen from more than 300 to just 61 at this year’s gathering at Denby Dale Pie Hall.
Organisers have the funds to host next year’s event but fear for the future of it after that.
Committee Secretary, Sarah Robinson, said: “We will carry on next year at least but there’s some doubt after that, it really depends if we can get any help.”
Mrs Robinson said they would soon be down to just two committee members as five or six were due to retire.
And she said there were only four people volunteering to collect funds for the event, compared to about 20 in the 1990s.
The dwindling committee is now hosting an open meeting in a bid to get more help and come up with new ideas, such as having a bingo event or involving local children.
There will be a meeting at 8pm on Friday at the Pie Hall to discuss the plans and it has been agreed to have another Gathering, possibly the last ever, on April 25, 2015.
Anyone from the area is welcome to come along to the meeting.
For more details ring Sarah on 01484 864565.
The idea for an Old Folks Treat was hatched in 1909, intended for people of Denby Dale, Upper and Lower Denby, High Flatts and Upper and Lower Cumberworth.
The first Gathering was for 300 people was held on March 27 1909 at Victoria Memorial Hall.
The venue moved to Denby Dale Pie Hall; split across two Saturdays – one for the Denby Dale people; the second for Cumberworth and surrounding areas.
In 2000 due to falling numbers, it became one Gathering of around 120 people.
Originally the event was organised by an all male committee, but throughout the years, the spouses of the committee members helped in the kitchen.
