Hebden Bridge Community Association, the new locally-led charity behind the proposals, launched the Friends of the Town Hall scheme last Thursday and by last Sunday had crossed the first threshold, with over a hundred people having signed up as Friends.

Volunteers staffed a desk in the Co-op on Saturday and Sunday, where the special 'I'm a Friend' mugs were much in demand. Volunteers have also delivered leaflets to most of the houses in the town.

"We've had people of all ages wanting to become Friends of the Town Hall, and we've also welcomed some children and young people as Friends. Our youngest to date is a young boy whose mother has only just moved to the town, and who signed herself up as well," said Andrew Bibby, one of the organisers.

Last week's launch saw the empty downstairs offices in the Town Hall – earmarked by the Association as a potential new public hall for the town – packed. A new ten minute film on the Town Hall campaign, produced by local filmmaker Nick Wilding received its premiere showing, whilst Mayor of Hebden Royd Susan Press spoke of the importance of the building in local community life.

Hebden Bridge Community Association has also announced details of the twelve local shops and retailers who have agreed to act as enrolment points for Friends of the Town Hall. They are the Post Office, Booths carpets, Ryburne brokers, Bookcase, Monkey & Ellie, SK News, Ryburne estate agents, the Pot Shop, Crabtrees, Valet Stores, James Shepherd garage and Innovation.

"We are very grateful to these businesses for offering to help us in this way. All of them have now got stocks of the commemorative I'm a Friend mugs and are ready to receive new enrolments," Andrew Bibby said.

Another opportunity to sign up will take place next Monday, when volunteers from the campaign will be running a stall in St George's Square, as part of the Easter Monday Duck Race event.