Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

Louis on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week Ilkley boxer Louis Brow, who has competed at top levels including in front of 10,000 spectators in Dublin, has announced a planned international comeback after a life-changing reunion in Thailand reignited his passion for the sport. The boxer and now model credits a faith-led encounter and a return to disciplined training for renewing his ambitions in boxing and the global fashion world. Louis Brow’s journey from a promising young f

Tickets available for author events at The Grove Bookshop The Grove Bookshop has announced three author events in the coming weeks. On Thursday 23rd April they welcome poet and novelist Rachel Bower, who will be discussing her fiction debut,  It Comes from the River .   The book tells the story of three women, Alex, Lauren and Nancy, who are trapped in their own lives, swept along by forces beyond their control. But there's another character in the book, beckoning, menacing,

A deeply moving performance of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater will take place at St Margaret’s Church in Ilkley on Friday [10 April] at 12.30pm, as part of the church’s monthly lunchtime recital series. Composed in 1736 during the final months of Pergolesi’s life, Stabat Mater is one of the most enduring sacred works of the eighteenth century. Written when the composer was just 26 and living in a Franciscan monastery in Pozzuoli, the work quickly gained widespread

The Northern Swing Orchestra, a renowned 16-piece big band, returns to the Kings Hall on Saturday 9 May, for a special tribute to the legendary bandleader Glenn Miller.   Miller, one of the most successful bandleaders of the 1930s and 1940s, is celebrated for iconic hits such as “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “A String of Pearls”, “Moonlight Serenade”, and “Tuxedo Junction”.   Audiences can look forward to an evening of classic big band favourites, including “Little Brown Jug”, “Ca

Mr & Mrs Charles Darwin outside the Manor House This Saturday, 11 April, Ilkley Manor House is hosting two events, a talk and free family fun. The first in the morning is a talk, Keeping the Manor House Warm , by local historian Alex Cockshott. A spokesperson said: "Have you ever wondered how such a building was heated during different phases of its use? Alex will present how the Manor House was heated throughout the centuries. "The talk will discuss how the Old Castle (now M

📋| ILKLEY CHAT JOBS BOARD |📋 07.04.26 every Tuesday with Right at Home Ilkley, Keighley & Skipton - recruiting CareGivers to provide quality care in a client’s home: www.rightathome.co.uk/ilkley-jobs 🖱 To add a vacancy next week or view the Jobs Board on our website visit ilkleychat.co.uk/jobs-board There are three sections - main jobs, apprenticeships and volunteers. ■■■ MAIN JOBS ■■■ EARLY YEARS ASSISTANT – THE LITTLE GREEN FROG NURSERY AND PRE SCHOOL, OTLEY F/T and P/T

Ilkley will once again come alive with speed, energy, and community spirit as the much-anticipated Ilkley Cycle Races return on Friday 3rd July.   The annual event promises a thrilling evening of competitive cycling, attracting riders and spectators from across the region and beyond.   Set against the scenic backdrop of Ilkley’s town centre streets, the races will feature a fast-paced circuit designed to challenge riders and entertain crowds.    This year’s programme showcase

Following the success of the half-term events, Ilkley Board Games is back for Easter, with another afternoon of board games at All Saints for teenagers and children of all ages, plus their parents and carers. This Wednesday afternoon, 2-5pm, at All Saints Church in Ilkley, people are welcome to pop in for one game or stay all afternoon. Organisers say: "We'll have a wide range of games for different interests and abilities, and hosts to help you find one that suits you and ex

Bradford Council is making changes to its waste management policies including weekly food waste collections starting this autumn. Existing policies cover alternate weekly kerbside collections of general and recycling waste; a four-weekly paid-for garden waste collection; an ad-hoc by-request paid-for bulky waste collection service for items such as large furniture; a paid-for trade waste service for businesses and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) for residents to tak

Ilkley-based artist Lucia Smith is hosting her last ever event this weekend at Weaverbird Workshop in Ilkley. To mark her retirement from the easel ‘The Big Thank You’ is a celebration and a time of gratitude. She explains: ‘What a wonderful time I have had painting the incredible Yorkshire Dales for so many years, it feels right to create a final exhibition to honour it all. ‘The Big Thank You’ is also about recognising those who have helped and supported me. “The local art

First held 2012, the White Rose Classic Cycling Sportive organised by Ilkley Cycling Club returns on Sunday 31 May 2026. Often described by many past participants as Yorkshire's 'premier' sportive, it starts and finishes at Nell Bank in Ilkley and features four fully supported routes from 37 miles to an epic 125 miles. All routes are signed on the road, with well-stocked feed stations, mechanical support and first aid throughout. The event village at Nell Bank offers refreshm

In its 25th year, The Ilkley Bandstand 2000 Trust, the charity that runs Ilkley Bandstand, has announced the programme of artists performing during its Jubilee year. Stating Easter weekend and running through until the end of summer and beyond, there's an eclectic mix from big bands to solo performers, folk music to jazz, and youth choirs to seniors instrumental groups, The programme below is subject to change, The calendar of events for each weekend from April to October are

Owen Diaram performing a live demonstration [Photo: Stephen Midgely Breakpoint Media] Organisers of the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival have confirmed the full Live Cookery Theatre line-up for their seventh annual celebration, set to take place on the 13 and 14 June at East Holmes Field. Delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Food Guide, the festival will spotlight some of the region's most exciting culinary talent, with nine different experts from leading restaurants and bus

Strike action by resident doctors will disrupt services at Airedale Hospital from 7am on Tuesday 7 April until 7am on Monday 13 April. During this period consultants and specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Airedale Hospital will be working differently to ensure patient safety will be maintained during the period of action.   It is possible that some elective care treatments and outpatient appointments will be impacted.  Please a

The AA recently recognised One Tivoli Place Guest House with two awards for cuisine (Dinner and Breakfast) plus a prestigious overall award of ‘Gold.’  The Inspector made a reservation for an overnight stay with dinner and arrived incognito. For dinner she started with handmade Japanese spring rolls, followed by slow-cooked miso beef and Japanese chocolate cake for dessert. She finished with sencha, Japanese green tea accompanied with a handmade Fusion  chocolate. The slow co

A former Ilkley town centre pub and hotel, vacant since 2021, could be converted into 10 self-contained residential apartments if plans are approved by Bradford Council. On the corner of Leeds Road and New Brook Street, The Dalesway Hotel, formally The Star, has a public house history which dates back to 1905. Since closing it has been offered as a tenancy by its owners, and been for sale in recent years. The plans by the applicant, Afzal Hussain, show ten apartments, nine w

Rehearsal are underway for Calendar Girls The Musical opening 22nd April An exciting line-up in April at Ilkley Playhouse includes Calendar Girls The Musical, the thriller Bindweed and music from After Hours Quintet and The Hooliemen. Caroline Mutton takes a look for Ilkley Chat. Visiting theatre company, Rise and Howl Collective Productions, present Martha Loader’s compelling new theatre production Bindweed on 10th and 11th April in the Wildman Studio. Four men convicted of

After 3 long awaited years, The Ticket Office Ilkley welcomes back its food carriage, with a brand-new menu launching this today, 1 April. Leading the change is general manager Matt Broadley, bringing a fresh approach to dining that perfectly complements the bar’s well-established reputation for cocktails and atmosphere.  The new menu focuses on refined, flavour-led dishes created to pair seamlessly with the bar’s expertly crafted cocktails, extensive wine list and premium be

White Rose Concert Band on Ilkley Bandstand It was the year 2000 when the Rotary Club of Ilkley and Rotary Club of Ilkley Wharfedale announced an ambitious plan for a millennium project, the Ilkley Bandstand, to provide a music and performance space in the very heart of town.   With the support of other Ilkley voluntary organisations and public donations, the Bandstand and seating area became a reality, and was officially opened by Richard Whiteley in 2001.   The architecture

[L-R] Ellen D’Arcy, Ros Brown and Richard Wilson The Green Party has announced who its candidates will be in the new ‘Ilkley and Addingham’ ward for the forthcoming “all out” elections to Bradford District Council. Residents across the district will have the opportunity to vote for three candidates in the elections which are taking place on Thursday, 7 May 2026. Changes to local boundaries mean that Addingham has merged with Ilkley to create a newly enlarged ward. The Greens