Welcome to the award winning Ilkley Chat!

This scheme is all about celebrating what makes Ilkley so special Nominations for Ilkley Town Council’s 2026 Citizen Awards Scheme are now open. The Citizen Awards Scheme, which was launched earlier this year to great success, honours the extraordinary individuals who make a real difference in our community. Anyone can nominate an Ilkley resident who they believe deserves recognition for their positive contributions to the community. Whether they’ve volunteered at local chari

Lantern Parade Ilkley came together for a magical Christmas lights switch on at the weekend. Ilkley Town Council says it is 'delighted' with the 'tremendous success' of the Christmas event on Saturday, which saw large numbers of residents and visitors come together to celebrate the start of the festive season. A spokesperson for Ilkley Town Council [ITC] said: "The event was filled with joy, community spirit, and a spectacular lantern parade that lit up the town centre."This

[L-R] Trustee & High Speed Training Director Jamie Kemp, winning team - The Oracle and Nick Babb from Your Ilkley Radio The Principle Trust Children’s Charity has announced its delight after the success of the Big Ilkley Quiz last week at the Craiglands Hotel, a valued Patron of the Charity. The event brought together supporters, local businesses, and community members for an evening of competitive fun in support of the Charity’s mission to provide respite breaks for children

Addingham Scouts & volunteers volunteers presenting a cheque to Jamie from Andy’s Man Club Addingham Scout Group held its annual Halloween fundraising event at Golden Acre Park, and raised a frightening £11,500! The Leeds Scare Trails, which started in 2015 as the Ilkley Scare Trails, has raised over £90,000 for local charities and good causes over the last ten years, and one of this years beneficiaries, Andy’s Man Club [AMC], a men’s mental health charity with groups in Ilkl

Colin Montgomerie OBE will host the 2026 Yorkshire Invitational played at Ilkley Golf Club Organisers of The Yorkshire Invitational golfing event held in Ilkley have announced the legendary European golf figure, Colin Montgomerie OBE, will host next year. SGH Events say the event will return to Ilkley Golf Club on the 16 and 17 September 2026 and Colin Montgomerie OBE brings a special connection to the area having spent most his childhood Ilkley Golf Club. Through his lustrou

Early bird tickets are still available for the Ilkley Beer Festival 2025 [Photos Soul & Co] As the festive season edges closer, Ilkley residents are being encouraged to think beyond traditional gifts this year and consider something a little more memorable. Organisers of the Ilkley Beer Festival launched their early-bird ticket offer last month, presenting the perfect opportunity to give an experience rather than another item destined for the back of a cupboard. The festival,

Christmas Trees from the 2024 festival Now the Christmas lights are on in Ilkley, the countdown in on this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Margaret’s, where trees will be beautifully adorned and festive music promises to fill the church.   The free festive celebration on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December from 10am, will see 30 local charities and community groups each with their own beautifully decorated tree, plus organisers are pleased to announce that every primary sch

New throw lines have been installed along the River Wharfe in Ilkley A new water-safety initiative has been launched with the installation of three throw-line stations along the River Wharfe in Ilkley. The equipment, designed to provide immediate life-saving support in emergency situations, has been placed at strategic points identified as high-risk or heavily used by the public. The new throw-line cabinets have been installed at: The beach – on the south bank of the Wharfe n

The 20th Beef and Beer Dinner held in Ilkley raised £55,000 for Sue Ryder Manorlands The 20th annual Beef & Beer Dinner took place earlier this month at The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, raising an incredible £55,250 in support of Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.  Sponsored by Dovecote Park and Timothy Taylor’s Brewery, the black-tie event has become a highlight in the local fundraising calendar. Organised by the Manorlands Challenge Committee, the Beef & Beer Dinner is one of two

Emy outside Outside the Box Café Outside the Box Café in Ilkley has unveiled a new, bespoke piece of artwork created by 29-year-old autistic artist Emy Spinks, whose vibrant creative style has captured the hearts of people both locally and around the world. After discovering Emy’s work on social media, the team at Outside the Box [OTB] commissioned her to create a piece for the café’s family area. OTB said Emy exceeded all expectations, producing a large, colourful artwork th

Talk Straight/Schools Broadband were presented with this award Talk Straight has won the 2025 ISPA Award for Best Customer Network and Data Security, marking a record sixth security-category win and the organisation’s ninth ISPA accolade since 2014.  The award was presented at the Internet Services Providers’ Association UK’s 30th anniversary ceremony, recognising the providers driving innovation, resilience and security across the UK’s digital landscape.  The Ilkley based c

Members of the Ilkley INSIGHT group Ilkley INSIGHT group meets the first Thursday of each month at the Clarke Foley Community Hub in Ilkley. The Ilkley INSIGHT group offers an opportunity for visually impaired people from Menston through to Addingham to socialise and to access support agencies.  Elizabeth from the groups describes how the monthly meetings provide a mix of entertainment, especially music and even more especially, a good sing-a-long! "We include a variety of ta

A seasonal favourite, It’s a Wonderful Life, follows folk band Gaelforce and the annual Christmas Fair at Ilkley Playhouse. Caroline Mutton previews for Ilkley Chat. This coming Friday 21st November Yorkshire Celtic Folk Rock band Gaelforce return to Ilkley Playhouse. Enjoy rocked-up traditional folk songs, self-penned tunes in the traditional style and jigs and reels. In 2023 Gaelforce won, by public vote, on the Introducing Stage at the Great British Folk Festival. Since

L-R Timothy Peters, Georgie Malcolm, Alex Kyle, Sam Gilliatt, with members of G. I. Percussion and the chorus of Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies (Photo: Dave Sumpner) Laura Norris was in the audience as Ilkley and Otley Choral Societies joined together for 'Carmina Burana' on Saturday 15 November 2025. Ilkley Choral Society gave a performance on Saturday night that was nothing short of completely stunning, and St. Margaret’s Church in Ilkley held a full audience to witness

Ricky Durkin is set to join the Your Media Group Ricky Durkin has been named the new Programme Director at Your Media Group, the owner of Your Ilkley Radio.   Ricky, who previously served as Programme Director at Heart Yorkshire, Real Radio Yorkshire and BFBS, and most recently as Head of Content at Radio News Hub, will oversee programming across the group’s stations.   He will be tasked with supporting audience growth and commercial development on Your Ilkley as well as sist

Ashlands Bonfire 2025 [Photo: Soul & Co] Ashlands Primary School’s annual Bonfire Night once again lit up the Ilkley skies this year, drawing a record turnout and raising a record breaking £6,000. Organised by the Ashlands PTA, Friends of Ashlands, the much-loved event brought families together for an evening of fireworks, a blazing bonfire, and plenty of great food and drink. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and full of community spirit. Ashlands Bonfire 2025 [Photo: Soul &

Ilkley Community Transport received a grant towards the cost of a minibus [Photo: ilkleycommunitytransport.org.uk] Ilkley Town Council currently operates a grant scheme for community organisations to apply for up to £3,000 and the application deadlines are fast approaching. Ilkley Town Council is keen to contribute financial support to projects being developed by community organisations for purposes that strengthen the community and enhance the well-being of residents and the

Outside the Box members celebrating their first Dine-in event in June Following the success of the first Dine-In event in June, Outside the Box has unveiled its next OTB Christmas Dine-In Member Showcase, taking place on Saturday 29th November at Outside the Box, as part of its Christmas celebrations. A spokesperson for Outside The Box said: “This special seasonal event will once again shine a spotlight on the talents of our members. Participants from our Cooking, Baking, Ski

Ilkley Town AFC has issued a statement following a vote of no confidence in the committee, who have made the decision to stand down. "Ilkley Town AFC wishes to address recent developments within the club and provide clarity to our players, parents, volunteers, and wider community. Over recent weeks, more than 40 of our coaches signed a letter expressing no confidence in the committee. Their concerns centred on a lack of engagement and transparency, as well as shortcomings in

Performance Dance are due to perform again at the Ilkley Christmas Lights on Saturday Ilkley Town Council is keeping one eye on the weather whilst looking forward to this weekend’s Christmas Lights Switch-On event, which is set to be lots of festive fun. With an enchanting lantern parade along The Grove, a market where you will be able to make a start on your present shopping, a Christmas Grotto with the opportunity to take a selfie with Santa, musical performances and gymnas